Filenews 23 February 2026 - by Panagiotis Evripidou, Petros Afxentiou
The issue of MEPs' salaries, combined with the allowances and additional benefits they receive, is a constant recurrence in the public debate, especially in times of increased interest in the management of European funds. The remuneration of Members of the European Parliament, the way they are taxed, but also the funds allocated for the performance of their duties, are often the subject of debate and political controversy.
On the occasion of the debate on European funds and the ongoing investigations against MEP Phidias Panagiotou, "F" records and analyzes the payroll framework, allowances and other financial benefits that MEPs receive during their term of office.
MEPs divide their time between their constituency in Strasbourg, where 12 plenary sessions are held each year, and Brussels, where they participate in additional sessions, as well as meetings of their committees and political groups. All Members of the European Parliament are remunerated under a uniform regime in force since July 2009, with the aim of transparency and equal treatment regardless of the Member State of election.
The parliamentary allowance corresponds to 38.5% of the basic salary according to a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The monthly gross compensation amounts to €11,255.26. After withholding EU tax and social security contributions, the net monthly compensation is €8,772.70. The remuneration is paid from the budget of the European Parliament, while member states have the possibility to impose national taxation.
For each day of parliamentary activity, a flat-rate daily allowance of €359 (for 2026) is paid, provided that the MEP signs the official attendance register.
The amount is halved if the MEP does not take part in at least half of the roll-call votes on plenary voting days. For meetings outside the European Union, the daily allowance is €179.50, while accommodation costs are reimbursed separately.
However, once a month, it is the so-called green week, where they stay at the place of their election, so they will not sign to get the said amount from participation in each committee. Therefore, on average the amount of the net salary of an MEP amounts to around €10,000 per month. Also, the MEP who goes to Strasbourg every month rents. So he has a second home or hotel in Brussels and Strasbourg. The accommodation expenses of an MEP are from the MEP's salary, a source from the European Parliament said.
A competent source with knowledge of the matter told "F" that the MEP's salary was set at this amount so that there is equality between the elected officials and the 720 MEPs. "They could determine that for each member state the salary of MEPs should be proportional to the country of their election, but they believe that all 720 MEPs should be paid the same," the competent source added.
Compensation of €4,950 for overheads
In addition to the basic allowance, MEPs receive a monthly allowance to cover general expenses such as the operation and maintenance of offices, equipment, administrative costs and representation activities.
For 2025, the amount amounts to €4,950 per month. However, it is reduced by 50% if the MEP is unjustifiably absent from at least half of the days of plenary sessions in a parliamentary year (September–August).
Travel expenses
Most meetings are held in Brussels and Strasbourg. The European Parliament reimburses the actual cost of tickets, capped at the business D fare (or equivalent), the first-class train fare or €0.59 per kilometre for car journeys (up to 720 km per journey and 60,000 km per year).
In addition, there is an allowance for other travel expenses, such as tolls or detention costs, to be paid for a round trip per working week between Parliament's place of residence and place of work.
Other travel
For official activities within the Member State of election, the costs are covered according to the current reimbursement system, up to an annual ceiling depending on the size of the country.
For activities outside the Member State of election, MEPs can receive an allowance for travel, accommodation and related expenses of up to €5,638 per year, which can be indexed.
What they are entitled to for a pension
Former MEPs are entitled to a pension from the age of 63. The amount of the pension corresponds to 3.5% of the salary for each full year of service, plus one twelfth of this amount for each additional full month. The pension cannot exceed 70% of the total salary of the MEP. The costs are covered by the budget of the European Union.
Over 30,000 per month for personnel costs
MEPs have the possibility to choose their own assistants, in accordance with conditions set by the Implementing Measures of the Statute for Members and on the basis of the budget set by the European Parliament.
According to the rules of the European Parliament, in 2016 the maximum amount allocated to each MEP for the expenses of his staff is €32,072 per month.
It is worth noting that MEPs do not receive the full amount, but have the possibility to use it for their staff expenses after approval by the relevant service of the European Parliament. The €32,072 can be used for the salaries, remuneration and social security contributions of parliamentary assistants (associates) and the provision of services employed or used by MEPs.
MEPs' assistants are divided into two categories. Accredited assistants and local assistants.
– Accredited assistants, recruited in Brussels (or Luxembourg/Strasbourg), are directly dependent on the administration of the European Parliament. MEPs have the possibility to hire up to four collaborators, while at least 40% of the total amount (out of €32,072) is earmarked for this category.
– Local assistants work for MEPs in the Member State of their election. Contracts for assistants that are concluded personally with the MEP are managed by paying agents (accountant), who guarantee compliance with the relevant national and European legislation. Local assistants conclude either an employment contract or a service contract with MEPs.
At the same time, MEPs have the possibility to use natural or legal persons for specialised and clearly defined services.
The total cost for local assistants and trainees may not exceed 60% of the total budget for parliamentary assistance. However, the costs for service providers alone cannot exceed 20% of this total allocation. The remuneration of the paying agents may not exceed 4% of the monthly allowance for parliamentary assistance.
A source from the European Parliament explained to "F" that the amount that each MEP receives for his associates is the same for the 720, while each MEP implements the contracts through the payment agent for what amount he will give to each partner. This amount, however, is not only for the associates, but also includes the expenses of the MEP's associates to plenary sessions in Strasbourg or visits to other countries.
Also, if an associate of the MEP travels on a mission, the ticket is paid from the staff budget.
It is worth noting that MEPs cannot hire close relatives as assistants.
The names or company names of all assistants shall be published on Parliament's website for the duration of their contracts, unless they have been granted an exemption in duly justified cases, such as for reasons of protecting their safety.
Code of Conduct for Members of the European Parliament
MEPs are obliged to adhere to the code of conduct, i.e. the guiding principles, in order to act in the public interest and to carry out their work selflessly and with integrity. The Code of Conduct entered into force in 2012 and was last revised in 2023.
The Code of Conduct includes how an MEP will deal with conflicts of interest, as well as rules on the obligation to disclose the fact.
Under the code of conduct, MEPs are required to submit a detailed declaration of private interests, a declaration of assets and, where applicable, a declaration of awareness of conflicts of interest.
MEPs are required to disclose their participation in events organised by third parties if the reimbursement of their travel, accommodation or subsistence expenses, or the direct payment of such expenses, is fully or partially covered by third parties.
The information provided by MEPs in their declarations is available on MEPs' individual pages, except for the declaration of assets, which is not public.
MEPs are also required to declare gifts received in their official capacity representing Parliament with an approximate value of more than €150, under the conditions laid down in the implementing measures of the Code of Conduct. These gifts are recorded in the gift register.
The President of the European Parliament can impose sanctions on any MEP found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct. The ratification is announced by the President in plenary and published in a prominent place on the European Parliament's website.
