# How much does Ursula von der Leyen make?

- Link: https://euemployment.eu/von-der-leyen-salary/
- Published: 2025-12-28T16:46:31+01:00
- Author: Ben

The President of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
is one of the most powerful jobs in the world. It is currently held by Ursula von
der Leyen, a German politician and former Minister of Defense. She is also the first
woman to have this position. Previously this position was held by Jean-Claude Juncker.

**But how much does the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President make? And what are other perks of the job? Below is an overview of what
public sources reveal.**

The salary of [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President **Ursula von der Leyen **is around **28’026** **EUR **per month, which
is 336’308 EUR per year.

As a comparison, the President of the United States, has a nominal yearly salary
of 368’000 EUR or 400’000 USD. The Chancellor of Germany is reported to have an 
annual salary of EUR 242’000 or 262’600 USD.

![Piles of coins](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Piles-of-coins-
1.jpg)

## Monthly salary

[⌊Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission⌉⌊Ursula von der Leyen,
President of the European Commission⌉[

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission | (c) European Commission

However, the story with salaries in EU institutions is not so simple as there are
several [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/) as well as deductions
that affect the net pay number.

#### **Salaries of EU Commissioners in VDL’s 2nd Commission (2024-2029)**

 * [**Ursula von der Leyen**](https://euemployment.eu/von-der-leyen-salary/)
 * **[Maria Luís Albuquerque](https://euemployment.eu/maria-albuquerque-salary/)**
 * **[Magnus Brunner](https://euemployment.eu/salary-magnus-brunner/)**
 * **[Valdis Dombrovskis](https://euemployment.eu/valdis-dombrovskis-salary/)**
 * **[Raffaele Fitto](https://euemployment.eu/salary-raffaele-fitto/)**
 * **[Christophe Hansen](https://euemployment.eu/salary-christophe-hansen/)**
 * **[Wopke Hoekstra](https://euemployment.eu/wopke-hoekstra-salary/)**
 * **[Dan Jørgensen](https://euemployment.eu/dan-jorgensen-salary/)**
 * **[Costas Kadis](https://euemployment.eu/costas-kadis-salary/)**
 * [**Kaja Kallas**](https://euemployment.eu/what-is-the-salary-of-kaja-kallas/)
 * **[Marta Kos](https://euemployment.eu/marta-kos-salary/)**
 * **[Andrius Kubilius](https://euemployment.eu/salary-andrius-kubilius/)**
 * **[Hadja Lahbib](https://euemployment.eu/hadja-lahbib-salary/)**
 * [**Michael McGrath**](https://euemployment.eu/salary-michael-mcgrath/)

 * **[Glenn Micallef](https://euemployment.eu/glenn-micallef-salary/)**
 * **[Roxana Mînzatu](https://euemployment.eu/roxana-minzatu-salary/)**
 * **[Teresa Ribera](https://euemployment.eu/teresa-ribera-salary/)**
 * **[Jessika Roswall](https://euemployment.eu/jessika-roswall-salary/)**
 * **[Piotr Serafin](https://euemployment.eu/salary-piotr-serafin/)**
 * **[Stéphane Séjourné](https://euemployment.eu/salary-stephane-sejourne/)**
 * **[Jozef Síkela](https://euemployment.eu/salary-jozef-sikela/)**
 * **[Apostolos Tzitzikostas](https://euemployment.eu/apostolos-tzitzikostas-salary/)**
 * **[Henna Virkkunen](https://euemployment.eu/what-is-the-salary-of-henna-virkkunen/)**
 * **[Olivér Várhelyi](https://euemployment.eu/oliver-varhelyi-salary/)**
 * **[Ekaterina Zaharieva](https://euemployment.eu/ekaterina-zaharieva-salary/)**
 * **[Maroš Šefčovič](https://euemployment.eu/maros-sefcovic-salary/)**
 * **[Dubravka Šuica](https://euemployment.eu/dubravka-suica-salary/)**

[Short BIO](https://www.politico.eu/article/meet-european-commissioner-class-2024-ursula-von-der-leyen/)
of each [Commissioner](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/) from Politico.
eu.

Like any other EU [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/), the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President is also entitled to a number of “regular” EU [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/),
but also incurs some deductions, as listed below.

## Basic salary

When you try to understand how salaries of EU officials are calculated, you are 
often directed at the ‘[basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/).
However, the actual take-home remuneration package consists of many more components
and can be higher, lower, or similar to the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)
depending on an official’s individual situation (family status, dependent children,
relocation to Brussels from another country, etc.).

Ursula von der Leyen is entitled to a **‘basic salary’ of 138% of the [top civil service grade](https://euemployment.eu/how-much-do-eu-officials-earn/)**
or 33’064 EUR.

For the President of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/),
the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) is set at **138%**
of the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) of an [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/)
of the Union on the third [step](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/) of [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/)
16, in other words, the highest [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)
possible for non-political posts in EU institutions like General Directors in DGs
of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/).

For reference, since 1 January 2024 the highest [EU civil servant](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/eu-civil-servant/)‘
basic salary’ is EUR **23,959.44**.

![](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-1280x827.png)

_Source: Article 66 of the [EU Staff Regulations](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01962R0031-20240101)_
| See the full [European Commission salary grid](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-salary-grid/)

## Allowances and other payments

As the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
[Commissioner](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/), Ursula von der Leyen
is entitled to the following additional monthly [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/)
and other payments.

![Expatriation allowance](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Expatriation-
allowance-1024x576.jpg.webp)

Expatriation allowance

### Residence allowance (similar to Expatriation allowance)

The [Residence Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/expatriation-allowance/) is equal
to 15 % of their [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/).
This makes up **EUR 4043**.

![European commission household allowance](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/
2021/03/European-commission-household-allowance-1024x576.jpg.webp)

European commission household allowance

### Household allowance

The [Household ](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-household-allowance/)
[Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-household-allowance/) is
equal to EUR 192,78 + 2% of their [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/).
This makes up **EUR 732**.

![](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/EU-entertainment-allowance.
jpeg.webp)

### Entertainment allowance

Members of the European College are entitled to the weirdly named ‘entertainment
allowance’, which most likely is an allowance for covering costs of work-related
lunches and similar expenses.

This allowance **ranges from EUR 607.71 for “regular” [Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/)
to EUR 1418.07 for the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President**.

![Dependent child allowance european commission](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/
uploads/2023/11/dEPENDENT-child-allowance-european-commission.jpg)

Dependent child allowance european commission

### Dependent child allowance

The Dependent Child Allowance is equal to approximately **EUR 440. **This allowance
amount is not included in the total remuneration calculation as we don’t know the
family situation of these EU officials.

![European Commission Education Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/
2020/05/European-Commission-Education-Allowance-1024x576.jpg.webp)

European Commission Education Allowance

### Education allowance

The [Education Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-education-allowance/)
is not included in the total remuneration calculation as we don’t know the family
situation of this EU [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/).

## Taxes and other deductions

Like other employees of the EU institutions, as [Commissioner](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/)
of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)**
Ursula von der Leyen does not pay national taxes** **from her EU salary or [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/)**.

However, there are two European Union taxes the [Commissioner](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/)
has to pay.

### Community Tax

The **[Community Tax](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/community-tax/) levied progressively
at a rate of between 8% and 45 %** of the taxable salary portion. We have not been
able to find the exact rules about application of this tax to European Commissioners’
salaries, hence, we have assumed that the deduction is in the middle as 18.5% of
the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/). This makes up**
EUR 4987**.

### Solidarity Levy

The [Solidarity Levy](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/solidarity-levy/) is 6% of
the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/). This makes up**
EUR 1617**.

There are also four social security-related deductions.

![European Commission pension](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/
European-Commission-pension.jpg)

European Commission pension

### Pension

[Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/) are entitled to 
an [EU pension](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-pensions/).

It is calculated at 4.275% of the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)
for every full year in office. In practice, this means that Ursula von der Leyen
will get a pension of 42.76% of her last [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)
or about 14’138 EUR every month if she stays as [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President for the full 10 years until 2029.

The [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
College members have much more generous pension guarantees compared to regular EU
staff. You can read more about the regular [pension benefits for staff of EU institutions](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-pensions/).

### Health insurance

The Health Insurance Contribution is 1.70% of the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/).
This adds up to **EUR 458**.

The health insurance contribution makes the [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/)
eligible for the [EU institutions health insurance scheme JSIS](https://euemployment.eu/jsis-joint-sickness-insurance-scheme-guide/).

### Accident coverage

The Accident Coverage Contribution is 0.10% of the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/).
This adds up to **EUR 27**.

![European Commission unemployment allowance](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/
uploads/2019/06/European-Commission-unemployment-allowance.jpg.webp)

European Commission unemployment allowance

### Unemployment insurance (transition payments after leaving office)

The [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
College members have much more generous unemployment guarantees compared to regular
EU staff.

If they have served the full five year term, the President of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
and the [Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/) are entitled
to ‘transition payments’ for up to three years after leaving their posts. On average
these amount to 40-65% of the previous salary. It is reduced if they take up new
paid activities during the three year period.

You can read more about the regular [unemployment benefits for staff of EU institutions](https://euemployment.eu/unemployment-allowance-european-commission/).

## Non-remarkable office

The European Commission’s main building is the Berlaymont on Rue de la Loi 200 in
Brussels, Belgium. The President’s office is on floor 13, the top floor of the Berlaymont
building. The President literally sits on top of the European Commission’s hierarchy.

[⌊Ursula von der Leyen in her Berlaymont office⌉⌊Ursula von der Leyen in her Berlaymont
office⌉[

Ursula von der Leyen in her Berlaymont office | (c) https://twitter.com/vonderleyen

However, social media pictures reveal that the interior of the office of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President are surprisingly ascetic compared to offices of most national top-level
government officials. Each new EC President gets to choose the artwork and furniture,
and that’s about it.

When Ursula von der Leyen took office and announced that she [plans to sleep in her office](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-president-elect-von-der-leyens-plan-to-sleep-on-the-job/),
the world also found out that the office has a 25 sq.m. private room called “a personal
retreat” by Commission staff. It also [has a shower](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYiSmwkzlTM).

## Background information

### Basic salary coefficients for members of the College of European Commission

![](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-23.png)

Source: Article 2 of the [Council Regulation (EU) 2016/300 of 29 February 2016 determining the emoluments of EU high-level public office holders](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32016R0300)

### Information about tax amounts and other salary deductions

For information about amounts of EU taxes, pension contributions, unemployment and
other deductions see this [document prepared by ECDC](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ECDC-information-about-salaries-entitlements-taxation-social-security-contributions.pdf)
for candidates and staff. The same information applies to all EU institutions.

_Image source: [European Commission website](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/towards-new-commission-2024-2029/commissioners-designate-2024-2029_en)
_Sources

Salary of the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
President is calculated according to the [Council Regulation (EU) 2016/300 of 29 February 2016 determining the emoluments of EU high-level public office holders](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0300).
This regulation also covers the salaries of the European [Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/),
Judges of the Court of the European Union and several other highest level officials
in EU institutions.

Source for the figures on salary of the German Chancellor: attachment IV to the 
Federal Law on Salaries of Officers – Bundesbesoldungsgesetz, BGBl. 2002 I p. 3020.

Source for the figures on salary of the US President is the White House Website.

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