Yes, this kind of thing happens often in Europe.
Some years ago I sent a candidature for the Francis Crick Institute and in the public notice it said explicitly something like:
"We will contact the candidates we are interested in before the date X. If you do not hear back from us it means you were not selected."
I also had submitted a candidature for a Max-Planck program and received a standard email. But with a note that explains why they don't give further informations about the candidatures:
P.S. I have a personal wish: Please refrain from further enquiries. I am the only person dealing with 1000+ applicants and I simply can't answer such enquiries.