How to Create a Europass CV (And Why You Should Avoid It)

Applying for a job in another country can feel like a guessing game. Do they expect the same CV format? What details should you include (or leave out)? Wouldn’t it be great if there was one universal template you could use across Europe? Well, that’s exactly what the Europass CV claims to be.

Sounds convenient, so what’s the catch? Well, it’s been called outdated, rigid, and cluttered with unnecessary information. Still, I’m not one to dismiss something without a closer look. 

So, is the Europass CV as bad as people say, or does it have some redeeming qualities? Let’s find out. This guide will cover: 

• The pros and cons of the Europass CV. 
• How to use and download the Europass CV online. 
• If it’s better to use an alternative European job application.

What Is Europass CV?

The Europass CV is an online tool to help standardize European job applications. It’s a free system where you can create an online document outlining your contact details, work experience, education, and skills. The goal? To provide a consistent format for employers in different European countries to understand. 

That’s the theory — but how does it check out? 

The Europass CV gets criticism for looking generic, including way too much information, and being clunky. While it could be handy for beginners or those unfamiliar with European standards, a Europass CV is not mandatory. Many employers find the Europass template outdated, with its basic design and rigid structure. 

Want an alternative to Europass? Our free AI Resume Builder gives you the flexibility to personalize your sections and formatting to meet international standards. 

Europass CV: Pros and Cons 

The Europass CV wants to be a one-size-fits-all job application — great in theory, not so much in practice. On the plus side, it’s free, easy to use, and follows a clear structure, making it helpful for job-seekers unfamiliar with CV writing. 

But here’s the downside: it’s misleading, outdated, and not well-received or recognized by many employers. While it standardizes applications across Europe, it often fails to make candidates stand out. 

So, is it a helpful tool or just a clunky template holding you back? Let’s break down the pros and cons to see if it’s worth using.

Disadvantages of Europass CV 

Let’s get straight to it — why does the Europass CV get so much hate? Instead of just going with the crowd, I wanted to see firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s actually worth using. So I put it to the test by creating my own CV. 

Let’s dive into the biggest drawbacks of the Europass CV and why it might not be the best choice for your job search.

Too much personal information (that you don’t even need)

There’s such a thing as oversharing. The Europass CV practically hands you a microphone at the work Christmas party and says, “Tell them everything.” This starts on page one with your basic details. Unless you’re inviting your future boss over for tea, you don’t need to include your apartment number, unit, or floor. Just your city and country are enough. 

Technically, this information isn’t mandatory, but Europass doesn’t make that clear. If you’re new to CV writing, you might assume it’s standard practice across Europe. But most employers couldn’t care less about your full address — they’re more interested in what you can do.

And it doesn’t stop there. Europass suggests adding your university’s website and even the type of credits you earned (ECTS, anyone?). No recruiter is sitting there pondering the credit system — they’re scanning for skills and achievements.

Then comes the “add more details” options, like an open invitation to clutter your CV. In the work experience section, you can even include your old company’s email. Unless they’ve asked for that, it’s just noise. There’s also the option to link files or videos to every section, but unless you’re applying for a creative role with a portfolio, it’s more distracting than impressive.

Too many sections to fill out

When you start customizing your Europass CV, you’ll be met with 19 sections. Yes, nineteen. If you’re new to CV writing, it can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to think, “If the section’s there, I should probably fill it out”. But that’s how you end up with an overcrowded, multipage CV no recruiter has the time (or patience) to read.

Some sections are unnecessary for most jobs, like “communication and interpersonal skills”. Instead of listing these as bullet points, it’s better to show how you’ve used these skills through your work experience. Saying, “great communication skills” without context is meaningless — recruiters don’t know if that means you led a team meeting or just kept everyone updated on the latest gossip.

Another outdated section is “Recommendations.” Including references directly on your CV is old-school. Most employers don’t expect this anymore and will ask for references if they need them. You can even skip the “References available upon request” line; it’s assumed.

Then there are sections like “Publications” and “Conferences and Seminars,” which are more suited to academic CVs. If you’re applying for a corporate role, these sections will just take up space and distract from the skills and experience that actually matter.

Not sure which sections to include? Take a look: What to Put on a Resume to Get You Noticed

One-size-fits-all? Not quite

Europass is designed to work for job applications across all European countries. But in trying to cover every possible scenario, it ends up cramming in categories that don’t apply to most people. Take the education section — you’re asked to list your Level in EQF (European Qualifications Framework). Unless you’re applying for a government or academic role, most employers won’t know what that is (or care).

The problem with creating a one-size-fits-all CV is that it becomes overly generic. Europass doesn’t nudge you to tailor your CV to specific roles, which is one of the most important things you can do when job hunting. A modern CV should focus on the skills and experiences that matter for that job — not read like a list of everything you’ve ever done. 

And here’s the irony: by trying to cover all the bases, Europass actually makes it easier for key information to get buried. Instead of helping you stand out, the CV feels cluttered and harder to scan. That’s a problem because many recruiters often spend less than ten seconds looking at each CV. 

The photo option

Europass gives you the option to upload a photo. On the surface, this might seem like a nice feature — after all, people like putting a face to a name, right? But in many European countries, adding a photo to your CV is discouraged due to anti-discrimination policies. The idea is to reduce bias based on age, gender, race, or appearance.

Now, if you click on the “Tip” icon (blink and you’ll miss it), Europass does mention that photos aren’t required everywhere and suggests checking local norms. But if you’re rushing to finish your CV, you might miss that advice completely. That could lead to someone unknowingly adding a photo when it’s not appropriate and hurting their chances.

Limited formatting

Europass doesn’t give you much flexibility with your CV format. You can choose from four templates, three text sizes (small, medium, or large), and a choice of color. That’s about it. No room to play around with fonts, layouts, or spacing to make your CV visually appealing. And while it defaults to Arial (which is professional enough) it would be nice to have more options. 

And let’s address the not-so-subtle elephant in the room: Europass automatically adds its logo to your CV (nothing says “hire me” like free advertising). You can remove it, but the option isn’t exactly front and center — especially if you’re new to the platform. 

Europass also doesn’t allow you to export your CV in editable formats like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. You can only download it as a PDF. That’s fine if you’re done with it, but if you want to make small edits, or adjust the formatting for a specific job — you’re stuck. You’d have to either start over or use a PDF editor, which isn’t ideal.

Find out how to use formatting to get past ATS scanners: How to Create an ATS Resume

Advantages of Europass CV (why it’s not all bad)

The Europass CV isn’t perfect, but it’s not all bad either. If you know your way around CV writing, you can work with its strengths and avoid its biggest pitfalls. But does that make it a solid choice for your job search? 

Let’s break it down — here are the key advantages of using the Europass CV.

It’s a guideline for European jobseekers

With all the criticism behind Europass CV, it’s easy to forget its good intentions: making job applications easier across Europe. The EU is a melting pot of countries, languages, and cultures, and for international job seekers, it can be tricky to figure out what’s expected in each country.

Back in 2004, the European Parliament approved the Europass framework with a clear mission: “to establish a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competencies.” In simpler terms, they wanted to standardize the job application process across Europe.

The idea sounds great on paper: one template, one style, and a consistent way of presenting your qualifications. Sure, the execution might feel outdated now, but the goal behind it is solid. And with some hefty updates, Europass could still be a real asset for jobseekers navigating the European job market.

It’s free and easy to use

Who doesn’t love a free tool? One of the biggest perks of the Europass CV is that it’s completely free to use, and the website is surprisingly user-friendly. You don’t need to be a tech genius to figure it out (trust me on that). You don’t even have to make an account to build a CV. 

You can create, store, and share your CV in 29 languages, which is handy if you’re applying across borders. Plus, the interface is pretty straightforward (if a little old-school) — you can hop between sections easily without feeling lost. It’s great if you want to get the basics down quickly without stressing over formatting.

You also have complete control over the text you include — adding, deleting, or tweaking sections however you like. That said, I’ve been in the world of resume advice for a while, so I know which sections to avoid. But if you’re new to CV writing, it’s worth doing some research to figure out which sections actually add value to your application.

Built-in guidance to help you along the way

While Europass doesn’t give much guidance on how many sections you should include, it does offer some genuinely helpful advice through its “Tips” feature. Just look out for the little lightbulb icon in the corner — click it, and a pop-up of recommendations will appear. It’s easy to miss if you’re rushing through, but the advice can actually be pretty useful. 

Take a look at the Europass CV tips: 

How Does Europass CV Work?

If you’re still considering the Europass CV despite its flaws, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the platform, from setting up your profile to customizing your CV.

Step 1: Head to the Europass website

Start by going to the Europass website, select your language, and click ‘Create your free Europass profile”. You’ll need to create a profile to save your work and come back to it later. But if you’re in a rush, you can create a Europass CV without logging in — just know you won’t be able to save and edit it later. 

Step 2: Enter your personal information

The Europass site guides you through sections like your name, date of birth, nationality, and contact details. There’s also an About Me section, which is the Europass take on a professional resume summary. 

Remember: just because there’s a box for something doesn’t mean you have to fill it in. The only must-have is your name, so don’t feel pressured to overshare. Keep it relevant and simple.

Step 3: Choose your sections

Europass offers a ton of sections to choose from. You have your basics — work experience and education. Then you have the less obvious choices, like publications, creative works, and languages. 

Not all of them will be relevant to you or the job, and that’s fine. Be selective. Europass sometimes prompts you to add unnecessary information (like your full address or outdated references), which isn’t a good idea. Keep it relevant, and avoid including details that could lead to bias, like your photo or age (unless required).

Step 4: Customize the formatting

Here’s where Europass is a bit limited. You get to choose from four templates and a splash of color, but that’s about it. You can’t change the font style, and the Europass logo is automatically slapped at the top (I’d recommend removing it — it’s distracting and unnecessary). 

Also, if you fill out every section without editing, you’ll end up with a multi-page CV (which likely won’t get read). Keep your resume concise and no longer than two pages. 

Step 5: Finish and download

Once you’re happy with everything, review your CV, give it a professional CV name (e.g. Jane Smith Resume), and download it as a PDF. Unfortunately, you can’t export it to Google Docs or Word, so if you want to make more changes later, you’ll need to go back to the Europass platform.

How to Write a European CV?

Short answer: 

To write a strong European CV, start with an ATS-friendly format in reverse chronological order, listing your most recent experience first. Include essential sections, like contact details, professional experience, education, and relevant skills. Focus on results in your work experience section, using numbers and examples to highlight achievements. Adapt your language and qualifications to the country you’re applying in and check industry norms. Tailor each CV to the job by mirroring key skills and keywords from the job description to pass Applicant Tracking Systems and impress hiring managers.

1. Opt for ATS-friendly formatting and layout 

Most European employers prefer a reverse chronological order, meaning your most recent experience comes first. A familiar format combined with headings and bullet points makes it easy for recruiters to see your latest achievements at a glance.

Your CV should include these key sections:

• Contact details: Include your name, email, phone number, and LinkedIn. Skip your full address — it’s unnecessary and can take up valuable space. You can also add your online portfolio, GitHub, or LinkedIn. 
• Work experience: List relevant jobs, internships, or freelance projects, along with key accomplishments for each role. You can also include side jobs that demonstrate transferable skills. 
• Education: Mention degrees, certifications, and academic achievements. If applying abroad, add the equivalent qualification for that country (e.g., converting GPA to the local grading system).
• Skills: Hard skills (like software proficiency, languages, or certifications) should be in a dedicated section. Soft skills (like teamwork or leadership) are more effective when demonstrated in your experience.

Keep formatting simple and ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System) — avoid images, graphics, or overly complicated layouts that can mess up automated screening. You should also use professional resume fonts, between 10 and 12 points for your main text and 14 to 16 points for headings. 

2. Focus on results over responsibilities 

Employers don’t just want to know what you did — they want to know how well you did it. Instead of listing responsibilities, focus on achievements. Want to make more impact? Use numbers to quantify your results. 

Compare these examples and see which one sounds more impressive: 

• “Managed social media accounts”
• “Increased social media engagement by 40% in six months through targeted campaigns”

If your role didn’t have clear metrics, you can still highlight achievements like process improvements, successful projects, or recognition from management. The more specific, the better.

3. Adjust your language and qualifications 

Applying for a role in another country? Don’t try to impress by rewriting your whole CV in a language you don’t speak fluently — it’ll backfire in the interview. However, if you’re applying to an English-speaking country like the UK, use British English (e.g., “programme” instead of “program”) to show attention to detail.

If language skills are relevant to the job, include them with an honest proficiency rating (e.g., B2, C1 based on CEFR standards) instead of vague terms like “fluent.”

You should also adapt your education section. Countries have different grading systems, so research the local equivalent of your degree or diploma to make it easier for recruiters to understand your qualifications. 

You can add a brief explanation if your country’s grading scale is unfamiliar, for example: “Graduated with a 3.8 GPA (equivalent to First-Class Honours in the UK)”.

Learn more about what to include on a UK CV: UK CV Format: Examples & Advice

4. Check industry standards and CV norms

European CV expectations vary by country, so research the norms before applying. For example, in countries like Germany, Spain, and France, it’s common (and sometimes expected) to include a professional headshot. But in the UK and Ireland, photos are discouraged to prevent bias.

Unlike the US, where one-page resumes are standard, European CVs can be up to two pages — especially if you have extensive experience. However, quality matters more than length, so keep it concise and relevant.

5. Tailor your CV to the job and company 

A generic CV won’t cut it — employers can tell when you’ve just copied and pasted. Take a few minutes to study the job description. Look for key skills, responsibilities, and qualifications, then weave that language into your CV to show you’re the perfect match.

For example, if the job ad highlights “project management”, but your CV says “led multiple initiatives”, tweak it to match their wording. This makes your application more compelling while boosting your chances of passing ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scans, which many companies use to filter candidates.

And don’t forget about company culture. A tech startup might prefer a more dynamic, skills-driven CV, while a corporate firm may expect a traditional, highly structured format. Do your research and tailor your approach — small tweaks can make a big difference. 

Learn more: 5 Hacks to Tailor Your Resume to a Job to Any Job Description

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Europass CV?

Short answer: probably not. The Europass CV has some basic perks — it’s free, easy to use, and has clearly labeled sections. But that’s not enough to outshine other CV and resume platforms. 

Europe is a mix of different countries, industries, and businesses, so a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. A CV is most effective when it matches the expectations of the job market you’re targeting, not just following a generic template. The problem with Europass is that it hasn’t evolved to keep up with the times.

Most companies don’t even ask for a Europass CV (and probably haven’t heard of it) unless they’re in sectors that prefer standardized formats. You’re better off using a more modern, tailored CV that highlights your skills and experience in a way that speaks directly to the job you want. 

Check out our full collection of resume templates at Rezi to create a modern and personalized job application. 

FAQ

What is the Europass CV format?

The Europass CV format is a standardized template used across Europe to help people present their qualifications and work experience in a structured way. It’s divided into sections like personal information, education, work experience, and skills. 

It’s designed to make applying for jobs in different European countries easier by providing a uniform structure but can fall short due to its rigidity. The format uses basic fonts and labels, so it’s easy to follow, but it doesn’t give you much flexibility to get creative or boost your chances with Applicant Tracking Systems. 

How to download a Europass CV?

To download your Europass CV, you first need to create an account on the Europass website. Once you’ve filled out the sections that apply to you, you can click the “Next” to preview and “Download” button. The CV will be saved as a PDF, so you can easily share it with employers. Keep in mind, you can’t download it in formats like Word or Google Docs. 

Is there a Europass CV cover letter?

Yes, you can create a cover letter with Europass in over 30 languages. The platform gives you four different cover letter sections to use as guidance: 

• Details of the person/organisation to whom this document is addressed
• City, Date, and Subject
• Content 
• Closing 

Each section comes with tips and examples, though they are quite limited, and you will probably need to do more research if you’re writing your first European cover letter. 

Europass also asks you to enter information, such as the city, postal code, and full address — all usually unnecessary if you’re sending a cover letter by email or through an online portal. 

What does CV mean in Europe?

In Europe, “CV” stands for “Curriculum Vitae,” which translates to “course of life” in Latin. It’s essentially the European version of what Americans call a resume. Just like in the US, a CV is a document that focuses on your qualifications, skills, work history, and education. It’s used when applying for jobs, internships, or academic positions in Europe.

Find out more: CV (Curriculum Vitae) vs. Resume: The Difference Explained

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