Multiple Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) face scrutiny for failing to declare income exceeding €5,000 annually from outside professional activities, as required under EU ethics rules, with high-profile cases involving substantial earnings from influencer work, advisory roles, and legal practice. Transparency International has highlighted 14 such MEPs, prompting concerns over conflicts of interest, though some lawmakers have since updated their declarations while others defend their compliance or cite misinformation.
Several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have drawn scrutiny for not fully disclosing income from lucrative side jobs, breaching EU transparency requirements designed to prevent conflicts of interest. As reported by the Newsroom of Knews (Kathimerini Cyprus English Edition), under EU rules, MEPs must report any income exceeding €5,000 a year from outside professional activities, listing each source and, when relevant, the frequency of payments. The ethics code mandates these declarations to ensure public accountability, yet a list published by Transparency International—cited in Politico’s EU Influence newsletter—identified 14 MEPs who have not complied.
This lapse has ignited debates in Brussels over the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms, with critics arguing that incomplete reporting undermines trust in the Parliament’s decision-making process. The Newsroom of Knews noted that while some MEPs have since provided updates, others remain non-compliant or unresponsive.
High-Profile MEPs and Undeclared Earnings
Prominent lawmakers from various political groups are at the centre of the controversy, with public records revealing significant pre-election earnings not reflected in parliamentary declarations. Spanish far-right MEP Alvise Pérez, who works as an anti-corruption influencer, tops the list of concerns.
As reported by the Newsroom of Knews, Pérez told the Parliament last year that exact figures from his influencer activities would be reported annually, but no updates have been provided since his 2024 election. Public records show he earned around €20,000 per month from this work in the months before the election, yet his team maintains that all income was properly declared according to the rules.
Italian MEP Mario Mantovani, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists, reportedly holds three outside advisory roles alongside his parliamentary duties. According to the Newsroom of Knews, citing Transparency International, Mantovani promised to declare his earnings by the end of 2024, but that has yet to happen, and he did not respond to a request for comment. Prior to his election, Mantovani earned six-figure sums annually from these positions.
Polish MEP Michał Wawrikiewicz, a lawyer with clients in retail, real estate, telecommunications, and railways, offered a direct explanation for his non-reporting. As detailed by the Newsroom of Knews, Wawrikiewicz said he did not think it necessary to report his income to the European Parliament, since he had already declared it in the Polish parliament.
Far-right Czech MEP Jana Nagyová attributed her oversight to administrative error. The Newsroom of Knews reported that Nagyová said her office had misinformed her about reporting requirements; she earned roughly €150 per month as a member of a local council and €300 per month in a regional assembly, though the latter stopped last January.
Partial Compliance and Updates from Targeted MEPs
While some MEPs ignored inquiries, others responded by disclosing details or affirming compliance, revealing a mix of cooperation and delay. German independent MEP Sybill Berg, a writer and playwright, provided clarity after contact. As reported by the Newsroom of Knews, Berg disclosed that she earns €120,000 per year outside Parliament, with Dustin Hoffman, head of her office, stating:
“We value transparency and believe disclosure obligations support public accountability.”
Green MEP Lena Silling acknowledged an initial omission but has since rectified it. According to the Newsroom of Knews, Silling earned extra income from a book published in 2024 but did not initially report it because it was under the €5,000 threshold; her office has now updated the register and submitted a detailed income breakdown.
Spanish EPP MEP Esteban González Pons reported book-related earnings without verification. The Newsroom of Knews noted that Pons said he published two books in 2025, but earnings have not yet been verified.
Several others did not respond to requests for comment. As per the Newsroom of Knews, these include Domenico Lucano (Left), who had worked for a film production company; Vladimir Prebilic (Greens), a university lecturer; Katri Kulmuni (Renew); and Finnish EPP MEP Peka Toveri, who runs his own company.
MEPs who affirmed full compliance include French S&D MEP François Calfon, who said he had not received any payment from outside work and that all necessary steps were taken to ensure compliance with Parliament’s rules.
The Newsroom of Knews also quoted Estonian EPP MEP Riho Terras stating that all potential dividends had been declared, and Socialist and Democrat MEP Elisabeth Grossman clarifying that she has not worked as a lecturer in Vienna since her election.
EU Ethics Rules and Reporting Thresholds
MEPs must navigate specific thresholds and formats for declaring outside income, though enforcement relies largely on self-reporting.
The Newsroom of Knews explained that EU rules require MEPs to report income exceeding €5,000 annually from outside activities, including sources and payment frequencies where relevant. Declarations use broad income bands rather than exact figures, a system Transparency International has criticised for limiting scrutiny, as noted in related analyses.
Transparency International’s findings, referenced by the Newsroom of Knews via Politico’s EU Influence, underscore persistent gaps. The organisation’s report on the new parliamentary term found more side activities declared than previously, yet 23 MEPs listed income-generating roles without amounts, citing reasons like
“it is not possible to specify this at this stage.”
Obscure descriptions such as “self-employed person” or “member of the supervisory board” (without entity names) persist, with only 8% of activities falling below best-practice standards for detail.
Broader Criticism from Watchdogs
Advocacy groups emphasise systemic reform over individual penalties, linking non-disclosure to risks of undue influence. The Newsroom of Knews reported that the revelations highlight a persistent challenge in Brussels: ensuring MEPs’ outside earnings are fully reported and public, with critics arguing that undisclosed income—even minor or delayed—undermines public trust and raises conflict-of-interest concerns.
Transparency International clarified its stance, stating the goal is not to punish individual members but to strengthen transparency rules and ensure all MEPs are held accountable to the same standard.
MEP Daniel Freund (Greens), commenting on a related Transparency International study, warned:
“Enormous sums from side earnings always carry the risk of conflicts of interest. There must never be the impression that MEPs are for sale and would represent the interests of their employers. Lobby side jobs are prohibited for good reason. Current suspected cases have apparently not even been reviewed by the European Parliament. This lax interpretation of the rules jeopardises the credibility of the Parliament. The independent EU ethics body to review the rules must finally begin its work.”
Transparency International further noted that the Parliament’s ethics system remains “rampant with loopholes,” allowing side jobs and conflicts provided they are declared, with breaches rarely sanctioned due to self-policing advisory committees.
Context of Side Jobs in the New Mandate
Transparency International’s December 2024 analysis of the new Parliament found MEPs declaring more side activities than at the end of the prior term, despite post-Qatargate hopes for reform.
The group updated its Integrity Watch EU database to track these, urging bans on paid or unpaid side roles with influencers. In total, 720 MEPs earn over €6.3 million annually in additional income, though lobby-related paid jobs are prohibited under Article 2(c) of the Code of Conduct.
The same analysis criticised the Parliament’s failure to address conflicts post-2022 scandals, leaving verification to under-resourced services without mandates for supplemental checks.
Implications for Public Trust and Reform Calls
These cases, as covered comprehensively by the Newsroom of Knews, amplify longstanding demands for an independent ethics body, exact income reporting, and proactive audits. While some MEPs like Sybill Berg and Lena Silling exemplify post-query compliance, persistent non-responses from figures such as Mario Mantovani and Alvise Pérez fuel perceptions of opacity.
