Former ministers in public service may receive up to €220,000 over two years in transitional salaries, provided they meet specific employment conditions post-office.

A law on salaries in public service stipulates that exiting government members fall into a payment transition phase if certain conditions are fulfilled.

The basic salary (without representation allowance) is paid for three months after a member of the administration has left. This equals 805 government points, explains Bob Gengler, first government councillor at the Ministry of Public Service: "That means around €18,380 for the first three months."

Over the following 21 months, the monthly point rate decreases to 350. "As of the fourth month, this equals to close to €7,990", noted Gengler in conversation with RTL.

As for the conditions, former ministers only receive these payments if they refrain from taking on a new job that makes them earn more than twice the rate of the transition phase, so 700 points or around €16,000. They are also not allowed to refrain from returning to their previous government job or a higher position if they want to remain in the transition phase.

If an outgoing minister is eligible to retire, they also exit the phase.

It is noteworthy that a mandate in the Chamber of Deputies is not considered a new activity. This means that the former minister who now fill the role of MP might remain in the transition phase, potentially earning up to €220,000 over two years.