That's how much Ursula von der Leyen earns as EU Commission President

2020-05-29T09:53:23.688Z

Ursula von der Leyen was elected as the new EU Commission President. In doing so, she succeeds Jean-Claude Juncker. The job in Brussels will certainly be hard - but also well paid.

The time had come on July 16, 2019: Former German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected new President of the European Commission. She is expected to assume this position on November 1, 2019 from her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker. For the controversial von der Leyen, the office is the professional highlight of her political career.

Ursula von der Leyen: She earned that much as Minister of Defense

After all, in this role she heads the EU administration and, as head of the executive branch, is equal to a head of government at the national level. The new job in Brussels does not only mean more responsibility and duties - it also means a lot more money.

According to the Handelsblatt, her future salary should be significantly higher than her previous one as Federal Minister. As defense ministries , the CDU politician has so far grossed € 16,254 a month . In addition, there was an annual tax-free flat rate of around 3,681 euros .

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While members of the German Bundestag jointly decide on the amount of their diet, the European Council, consisting of the 28 heads of government of the member states, has determined since 1967 how high the salaries of the EU Commission are. These are paid from the EU budget.

Leyen's salary as new EU Commission President - more salary than Merkel?

Thus, von der Leyen will in future earn 25,500 euros gross per month . There are also some allowances such as moving and travel expenses and an allowance of around 1,400 euros. This corresponds to a gross annual salary of at least 322,800 euros ! For comparison: Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the other hand, receives a little more than 333,000 euros.

The spicy thing about it: your basic salary, i.e. the fixed monthly salary without the surcharges, premiums , etc. ( paid for certain services) corresponds to 138 (!) Percent of the salary of an EU official in the highest grade .

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They receive "only" a rate of 112.5 percent, which is 22,747 euros gross per month . However, your income is taxed according to the regulations of your home country. But then the taxes flow back into the EU budget. Pension contributions and social security contributions are retained.