EU Bureaucrats’ High Salaries and Perks Draw Criticism from Critics
A recent analysis of European Union employment data has revealed that around 10,000 European Commission officials earn salaries that surpass those of many elected leaders within the bloc. With a third of the commission’s 30,000 eurocrats receiving annual paychecks of €113,000 (£96,000) or more, questions are being raised about the fairness and necessity of these high salaries.
The salaries of EU bureaucrats are further inflated by their low tax status and generous expat allowances, all funded by European taxpayers. For instance, middle managers at grade “AST9” or “AD9” start with a basic monthly wage of €10,084, along with an expatriation allowance of €1,682, while paying only €1,139 in taxes. This puts their earnings above the leaders of several Eastern European nations, including Estonia, Bulgaria, and Latvia.
Critics like Danish MEP Anders Vistisen have condemned these high salaries, calling the EU a “racket” that takes money from ordinary workers to fund the lavish lifestyles of Brussels bureaucrats. Vistisen argues that the real power in the EU lies with the unelected bureaucrats rather than the elected officials, highlighting the disparity in pay scales.
As eurocrats climb through the ranks, their payments increase accordingly. More senior middle managers, such as heads of units ranked at “AD12” or above, can take home over €13,464 per month after allowances and tax deductions. These salaries exceed those of 18 of the EU’s elected leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who earns €142,000 annually after tax.
At the highest levels of the commission, senior eurocrats can earn between €15,234 and €23,959 per month. In addition to their salaries, expat allowances, and special tax regimes, eurocrats have received seven pay rises in the past three years, amounting to a 15.7% increase. Notable officials benefiting from these lucrative figures include Ursula von der Leyen, the commission’s president, who earns around €28,000 per month after allowances.
Despite the Commission’s argument that high salaries are necessary to attract top talent from across the EU, critics continue to question the justification for such generous pay packages. With ongoing debates about the fairness and transparency of EU bureaucrat salaries, the issue is likely to remain a contentious topic in the political landscape.