Improving and enforcing working conditions of trainees and combating regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships (‘Traineeships Directive’)
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In interinstitutional negotiations (trilogues). Parliament and Council are working toward a provisional agreement, which would still need formal adoption to become law.
Last active 21 May 2026
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What this bill does
In plain terms: what it changes and who it affects.
This proposal sets EU minimum rules to protect employed trainees and stop ordinary jobs being mislabelled as traineeships.
Who it affects
It affects trainees with an employment relationship, especially young people entering work, and employers offering traineeships. It also affects regular workers where jobs are replaced by disguised traineeships.
Core of the proposal
- Requires equal treatment of trainees and comparable regular employees on working conditions, including pay, unless objectively justified.
- Requires inspections to detect ordinary employment relationships disguised as traineeships.
- Requires Member States to set a time limit indicating excessive traineeship duration or repeated traineeships.
- Gives trainees complaint channels, redress, protection against retaliation, and support from workers’ representatives.
Key provisions
- Takes effect
- The Directive enters into force on the twentieth day following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- Transitional law
- Member States must transpose the Directive within two years after its entry into force.
Latest update
09 Jun 2026The most recent development in this bill's progress.
Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations) → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations) → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
Documents
1 recentSourcesOEILEUR-LexEU Law Tracker