To: The European Commission, The European Parliament, and Relevant EU Authorities

We, the undersigned, call upon the European Union to address the unfair advantages enjoyed by employees of certain EU agencies, such as ESA (European Space Agency) and EUMETSAT, in comparison to employees in the private and public sectors across EU Member States.

Background
EU agencies located in various Member States employ personnel who receive exceptionally high salaries without being subject to national income taxes. For example:

An engineer in Germany earns an average gross salary of €6,000 per month and pays approximately 45% in taxes.
In contrast, engineers working for ESA or EUMETSAT earn higher salaries, averaging €6,600 per month, and are exempt from national taxation.
The disparity grows even more pronounced when comparing salaries with other EU countries such as Romania, Greece, or Spain, where engineers earn significantly less.

Key Concerns

Unfair Competition: The tax exemptions granted to employees of EU agencies give these organizations an unfair edge in attracting and retaining qualified professionals, disadvantaging private companies and national institutions that struggle to recruit talent.
Bureaucracy Over Innovation: Many engineers employed by these agencies are engaged in bureaucratic tasks rather than research and development, limiting the innovative capacity within the EU.
Inefficiency Despite High Salaries: Despite the substantial compensation packages, the performance of certain agencies remains questionable. For example, the Galileo Project, as of 2024, has cost taxpayers over €16 billion, is significantly over budget, delayed, and has faced operational challenges, as evidenced on the EUSPA website.
Our Request
We urge the European Union to ensure that employees of EU agencies are treated like ordinary employees within Member States, subject to the same tax obligations. This reform would:

Level the playing field for private companies and public institutions.
Reduce excessive bureaucracy within EU agencies.
Ensure that taxpayer funds are used more efficiently and equitably.
By addressing this issue, the EU can foster a fairer, more competitive, and innovation-driven environment for all its citizens and organizations.

Conclusion
We believe that the EU should uphold principles of equality and fairness, ensuring that no group enjoys privileges at the expense of others. Reforming the tax status of EU agency employees is a critical step toward achieving this goal.

Respectfully,

Fair Europa