Kadis set for bumper salary if becomes EU commissioner

Should Cyprus’ Costas Kadis be confirmed as EU commissioner, he’d receive a generous financial package that includes a host of perks including hotel room service.

It transpired on Monday that Nicosia has nominated Kadis – a former minister – for one of the posts of the 26 EU commissioners.

Media reports suggest the College of Commissioners, as it is known, will be formed by autumn, with the inauguration scheduled for November 1.

According to a report by The Irish Independent published in June, the monthly salary of an EU commissioner comes to €25,910 before taxes, adding up to just over €310,000 a year and paid for by EU taxpayers.

But the officials are also entitled to thousands of euro extra in lucrative allowances, some calculated on their personal circumstances.

“EU commissioners are entitled to a residence allowance, equal to 15 per cent of their salaries. This works out at €3,886 a month and is aimed at covering housing costs while they serve in Europe,” the paper said.

Once installed in their new posts in Brussels, they get an ‘installation allowance’ that ranges from €839 to €1,411. And when they finish up in office, they’re entitled to a “resettlement allowance”.

“While away from Brussels, commissioners are entitled to have their travel expenses reimbursed and hotel rooms paid for. This includes room service and local taxes that may apply,” reported the Irish daily.

The EU additionally reimburses the travel expenses of the commissioners and their family members. They moreover get a daily stipend when travelling for business – around €50 a day.

Separately, commissioners also are entitled to €607 a month in entertainment allowance. This covers meals and other “representation tasks”.

The perks include family and household allowances. EU commissioners are entitled to receive around €1,500 in parental leave allowance; €471 a month in dependent child allowance and up to €320 a month in education allowance.

Once they leave their post, commissioners collect a ‘transitional allowance’ – or “goodbye money” as The Irish Independent described it.

A commissioner who serves five years in their post will be paid about €13,000 for five months after finishing up in the role.

As far as taxes go, the top tax rate of 45 per cent applies to the bulk of the commissioners’ €310,000 annual wages.