European Parliament lawmakers have moved to grant themselves a €359 attendance bonus for participating in public events on Saturday, 9 May, which marks ‘Europe Day.’

The daily attendance allowance is usually reserved for days when MEPs are carrying out parliamentary work, and only on weekdays.

“Jean Monnet is turning in his grave,” one Parliament insider said. Many MEPs will likely take advantage of the rule tweak to sign the register without attending any events, the insider said.

An MEP said the system was flawed. “It’s incredibly easy to just play the system and go and get money for doing nothing.”

The Parliament’s annual ‘Europe Day’ marks the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, which laid the groundwork for the EU. In 2025, visitors to the Parliament in Brussels visited the hemicycle and listened to a speech from President Roberta Metsola. Other EU institutions also mark the occasion.

Events will take place across the EU and in Parliament’s three main locations. Events will be held on 9 May in Brussels and Luxembourg, while Strasbourg will host its events on 17 May.

MEPs met behind closed doors last week to discuss changes to the financial benefits they receive on top of their regular salaries, such as reimbursement for travel.

The new working group is also examining whether to increase the €359 daily attendance allowance to align it with inflation.

A spokesperson for the European Parliament said the granting of the allowance on ‘Europe Day’ was “standard practice.”

“As elected representatives, meeting and engaging with citizens forms an integral part of Members’ parliamentary duties and of the exercise of their mandate,” the spokesperson added.

Fabienne Keller was contacted for a comment, but did not reply.

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