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“F* you! Did you reveal it?” That’s what Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou says some of his colleagues shouted at him, furious that he posted a video exposing the true extent of what Members of the European Parliament earn.
In a bold move that’s stirred Brussels and beyond, Panayiotou took to social media to break down MEPs’ monthly pay and perks, saying most people have no idea how much money is actually involved.
“People thought MEPs only got €8,000,” he said. “But there’s a lot more.”
The real numbers
Panayiotou revealed that, on top of their base salary, MEPs also receive:
€30,000 per month to pay staff,
€5,000 for office expenses,
€4,000 a month to promote their work,
€10,000 monthly to host EU visitors,
And a €350 daily bonus for each day they sign in, amounting to another €3,000 a month.
“These figures aren’t hidden,” he said. “They just haven’t been explained in a way people can actually understand.”
“I stand by every word”
Panayiotou insisted his goal was transparency, not trouble. “I stand by every word 100%,” he noted, adding that being upfront about MEP pay is part of helping the public understand how the European Union works.
But clearly, not everyone in the Parliament agrees.
The young MEP, who became widely known as a YouTuber before being elected, is no stranger to stirring debate. Now, his push for openness appears to have shaken the establishment and opened the door to a wider conversation on EU accountability.
“I just told people the truth,” he said. “And if that makes some colleagues uncomfortable, maybe it’s time we all asked why.”
Γιατί κάποιοι Ευρωβουλευτές είναι θυμωμένοι μαζί μου; pic.twitter.com/B8JIwElLrr
— Fidias Cyprus (@FidiasCyprus) June 2, 2025
