Quirinale: Public competition for 6 administrative referenda in the General Secretariat; applications due by October 22, 2026.

The Quirinale Palace has opened a public competition for six administrative referees in the management career. Applications must be submitted online by 6:00 PM on October 22, 2026.

Opening and context

The call for applications has been published by the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic for the hiring of probationary administrative referees. This recruitment process is open to Italian citizens who meet the requirements set out in the call for applications, with a detailed selection process and a possible pre-selection if demand exceeds the available positions. The interested body is the highest body of the Presidency of the Republic, which coordinates the administrative activities and services of the General Secretariat, and provides legal, administrative, and management support for institutional activities.

The professional figure

The Administrative Legal Representative (on probation in the Administrative Management career) is a highly qualified legal and administrative professional. They typically work in institutional or public settings, handling investigations, administrative procedures, legal support, case management, regulatory analysis, and coordination of administrative activities. Typical skills include knowledge of public and administrative law, state accounting, European Union law, the ability to draft documents and opinions, procedural rigor, confidentiality, and organizational autonomy. This is a general description; it does not replace the duties listed in the job posting.

Main requirements

• Italian citizenship.
• Age limit: 40; age limit: 45 for permanent employees of constitutional bodies or public administrations as indicated in the announcement.
• Enjoyment of civil and political rights.
• Master's degree pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/2004, or specialist degree pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, or a degree from the old system; the announcement does not limit access to specific degree classes.
• For qualifications obtained abroad: recognition of equivalence/equivalence by the competent Italian authority; proof of such provision or date of application, if not yet available.
• Physical fitness for employment.
• Absence of definitive convictions that would result in disqualification from holding public office; absence of disciplinary measures or dismissal from public employment.
• Possession of the requirements by the application deadline, subject to equivalence of foreign qualifications according to the regulations.

Useful note: The announcement specifies that admission is not limited to a specific degree program, as long as all formal and qualification requirements are met. Those with foreign qualifications must demonstrate the equivalence or equivalency declared by the competent authority.

Contract, positions and locations

Available positions: 6 in total, with a reserve of two positions, equal to one-third, for permanent staff of the General Secretariat who meet the requirements set out in the announcement. The remaining positions will be filled by other eligible candidates according to the ranking.

The office is not located in a single building: referees could be assigned to all the offices and departments of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic. The Personnel Office is located at Via della Dataria 96, 00187 Rome, but operating conditions may vary based on institutional needs.

Contract: Public employment in the administrative management career, with an initial one-year probationary appointment. At the end of the probationary period, if the Board of Directors approves, a permanent appointment is envisaged.

Compensation: Salary is not specified in the job posting. Compensation is determined by the personnel regulations in effect at the time of hiring.

How the selection works

The selection process is structured: a pre-selection test may be required if the number of applications exceeds 20 times the number of available places. If applicable, the pre-selection test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes on constitutional law, administrative law, state accounting, and European Union law. Marking is graded: +1 point for a correct answer, -0,35 for an incorrect or multiple-choice answer, and -0,20 for an omitted answer. These scores do not contribute to the final grade.

In the case of pre-selection, access to the written exam is reserved for candidates ranked 60th or lower and any tied candidates with the lowest possible score. The announcement, if any, indicates that the date and location of the pre-selection will be published in the Official Journal – 4th Special Series Competitions and Exams – and on the Presidency website. Four written tests, each lasting six hours, will then be held on constitutional law, administrative law, state accounting, and European Union law.

Admission to the oral exam requires an average of no less than 21/30 in the written tests and no less than 18/30 in each test. The oral exam covers the same areas as the written tests, with the addition of civil law (limited to Book IV of the Civil Code: Articles 1173-1469), European Union law, Italian history from 1861 to the present, and the organization and functions of the General Secretariat. An oral English test (reading, translation, and conversation) is also required.

The final ranking is formed by adding the average of the written tests to the oral score, taking into account the reserves and preferential qualifications set out in the announcement. It is important to note that the organization of the exam and the exact list of examiners will be defined in a subsequent provision published on the Presidency website.

How to apply and deadlines

The application must be completed and submitted exclusively online through the Presidency of the Republic Competitions app: ConcorsiWeb. A unique, non-shared email address is required. The call for applications requires the payment of a €12 administrative fee by bank transfer, using the details and reason for payment indicated in the call for applications.

The application must be submitted by 18:00 PM on October 22, 2026. Candidates may also use credentials already held by those who participated in previous competitions via the Concorsi del Quirinale app; in this case, re-registration would not be necessary. Candidates with a disability rating of 80% or greater may request exemption from the pre-selection process if they can provide official proof of their health conditions (visible in the announcement).

What to check before applying

Before submitting your application, please check a few key items:

• Admission requirements: Italian citizenship, age, adequate educational qualifications, physical fitness, and no criminal convictions or other measures that impede employment.
• equivalence or equivalency of foreign qualifications, with relevant certifications or pending requests.
• Documents and certifications to be attached or presented in subsequent steps: valid identity document, any health certification for aids or limiting pathologies, documents proving preferential qualifications or equivalence.
• Submission methods and deadlines: Use only the Presidency Competitions app; check the Presidency website and the Official Journal for updates.
• Test dates and procedures: The official test schedule has not yet been finalized; the pre-selection page and schedule will be published in the Gazzetta and on the Quirinale website.
• Salary and contractual conditions: The announcement does not specify the exact amount; the remuneration refers to the salary established by the personnel regulations at the time of hiring.

If you have any doubts or are unclear about operational details (e.g., final venue, assignment to specific locations, exact schedule), it's helpful to check the official competition page on the Quirinale website and the Official Journal, where notices regarding tests, locations, and the schedule will be published.

Why this opportunity is worth pursuing

For those seeking employment in the public sector, the Quirinale competition represents an opportunity to enter one of the central institutional structures of the State. The role of administrative referendary (probationary position) is a high-profile one, geared toward administrative management, legal investigation, and coordination of procedures within public offices. If you meet the required qualifications and are willing to undergo a thorough selection process, the opportunity also offers significant opportunities for a career path within the public administration, although this is not automatic and requires careful consideration of the overall assessment.

At the time of publication, some key information is unavailable: the official salary amount, the final assignment location, the precise operational duties of the administrative referendary, and the exact dates of the tests. For confirmation, it is essential to consult the official competition page on the Quirinale website, monitor the Official Gazette, and consult the competitions section of the Presidency of the Republic portal.