To fly for a European airline you need an EASA ATPL(A) built on a "frozen ATPL", a Class 1 medical, ICAO English at Level 4 or higher and, eventually, an aircraft type rating. Most people reach a first-officer seat in 18 to 36 months and spend €70,000 to €120,000 if they fund it themselves. There are three routes: integrated, modular and the airline-sponsored MPL.
The three training routes, compared
| Route | Duration | Typical 2026 cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated ATP | 18 to 24 months, full-time | €90,000 to €120,000 | Career-changers who can train full-time in one school |
| Modular | 2 to 4 years, flexible | €55,000 to €85,000 | Paying as you go, training while working |
| MPL (airline cadet) | 18 to 24 months | €90,000 to €130,000, often financed | Candidates accepted onto one airline's cadet programme |
Modular is the cheapest and most flexible, and integrated is the fastest. The MPL ties you to one airline from day one, but usually ends with a job there.
The order of operations
- Pass a Class 1 medical first. Before you spend a euro on training, confirm you can hold an EASA Class 1, because failing it after paying for training is one of the costliest mistakes you can make.
- PPL(A): your private licence and first solo hours.
- ATPL theory: 14 written exams, the academic core of the licence.
- Hour building and the CPL(A), the commercial licence.
- The multi-engine class rating and the Instrument Rating (IR).
- MCC and JOC: multi-crew cooperation and jet orientation.
- Frozen ATPL, then airline applications, then a type rating.
What it costs in 2026
Beyond the course price, budget for what quotes leave out: the Class 1 medical (about €600 for the initial), ATPL theory materials and exam fees (about €3,000), the ICAO English test, and a type rating at €20,000 to €35,000 if you pay for it yourself, although many airlines now sponsor it. Our type rating cost breakdown has the detail.
Requirements at a glance
- Age: 18+ to hold a CPL.
- Medical: EASA Class 1, renewed every year.
- English: ICAO Level 4 at minimum, though airlines prefer Level 5 to 6 (here is why).
- Education: no degree required. Airlines hire on the licence, hours and attitude.
How long until you are hired
Training takes 18 to 36 months. After that, getting hired depends on the market and on how well you present your file. Demand is strong in 2026, but airlines still filter hard on the quality of your documents, and a clean, verifiable logbook and licence pack will get you shortlisted faster than an extra 100 hours.
FAQ
Do I need a degree to be an airline pilot in Europe? No. EASA airlines hire on the licence, medical, ratings and hours.
Can I train while keeping my job? Yes. The modular route lets you complete each module at your own pace.
What is a frozen ATPL? A CPL with a multi-engine IR and all 14 ATPL exams passed, which is enough to fly as a first officer. Full explainer here.
Route-by-route walkthroughs are on the Veejo YouTube channel (opens in a new tab).
How Veejo helps
A free Veejo profile holds your licence, medical and ratings in one verified file, and the Career Log, coming soon to the Veejo app, will track hours, exams and expiries on the way to your licence. Verified pilot tutors help with ATPL theory and interview preparation, and once you hold a frozen ATPL, Veejo puts your file in front of operators who are hiring.