How much does a Member of the European Parliament earn?

Members of the European Parliament receive the same basic salary as politicians who are elected to the parliaments of their home countries. This basic salary is also paid by the country in which they were elected and they are taxed in accordance with the rules of that country. In addition, the European Parliament pays expenses for Members’ travel, subsistence and employment of assistants etc., which are tax-free.

A common statute for Members of the European Parliament
Because of the rules on national pay and taxation for Members of the European Parliament there is a difference in the salaries Members of the European Parliament receive depending on the country in which they were elected.

After years of negotiation members agreed on a draft common statute in June 2005. The Council accepted the draft and the new common statute was adopted. The statute will come into force after the next elections to the European Parliament in 2009.

According to the statute MEP's will receive the same salary of 7000 euros monthly. The salary will be paid by the EU and no longer by the member states. The statute does however allow the member states to supplement the salary for a transitional period (2 election terms from 2009).

In relation to taxation this will be paid to the EU and not in the member state of election. Again the member states have the possibility of supplementary arrangements and will be able tax their MEP's  so that the rate will equal the national one.

The overview below shows the monthly basic amount in euro for Members of the European Parliament in 2003/2004.