MEPS ARE BUSY BEES

NGO Transparency International trawled through EU lawmakers' declarations detailing activities performed alongside their main job in Parliament. There are no limits on how many side jobs an MEP can have, or how much money they can earn on top of their regular salary.

70.5%

of EU lawmakers have a paid or unpaid side gig.

26.2%

of MEPs are paid for their side activities.

€8.7M

the estimated income generated yearly from these activities.

Share of MEPs with paid or unpaid declared private interests by political group in the European Parliament. NI means Non-Inscrits, or unaffiliated.

Paid activities

Unpaid activities

No activity declared

Number of MEPs with paid side activities and estimated annual external earnings in euros, by group.

Number of MEPs

Total income

On average MEPs with a paid side job made some €47,000 a year from outside activities. Here’s how it broke down by political group.

Data updated as of April 24, 2024. Transparency International converted incomes provided in national currencies to euros using the exchange rate applicable on April 24, and translated amounts provided into annual incomes wherever possible.

SOURCE: Transparency International

By Giovanna Coi

Private interests per group

Infogram and Infogr.am are registered trademarks of Prezi, Inc.