Royal Family Salaries Set to Increase for 2026 Amid Public Employee Pay Raise

In a recent announcement from La Zarzuela, it has been confirmed that the salaries of the Spanish royal family members will see an increase for 2026. According to reports from EFE, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Queen Sofía, the three principal representatives of the Crown, will benefit from this adjustment in their annual earnings. Starting in 2026, King Felipe VI will earn €290,000 annually, reflecting an increase of €4,311 from his 2025 salary. Queen Letizia will see her income rise to €160,000, up from €157,199 in the previous year. Queen Sofía's earnings will also increase, totaling €131,000 in 2026 compared to €128,562 in 2025. This salary revision is in line with the 1.5% wage increase that was approved for public employees, hinting at a standardization of pay increases across the board. As noted by EFE, the funds allocated for the royal family's salaries derive from the general state budget, specifically designated for the Crown. The head of State, which includes these salaries, receives €84 million as part of public financing, indicating that there are no changes to this allocation since the public accounts have been extended from 2023. Elaborating on this financial structure, Article II of the Spanish Constitution stipulates that the King receives a global amount from the State Budgets aimed at maintaining his family and household, allowing him freedom in distributing these funds accordingly. Currently, the distribution of payments by King Felipe VI solely affects himself, Queen Letizia, and Queen Sofía, as former King Juan Carlos I no longer receives any compensation since his payment was withdrawn in 2020 due to scandals involving the Lucum and Zagatka foundations. After King Juan Carlos's allowance was revoked, the funds previously allocated to him were redirected to a contingency fund within the Royal House, reserved for unexpected expenses. As it stands, the only royal family members receiving an allocation are the current monarch and his mother, while Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía remain without a salary. The current plan is for them to receive allocations only when they commit full-time to representing the Crown, reflecting a policy that ties financial compensation to official royal duties. Overall, this salary increase represents a continuation of the established practice of adjusting royal wages in accordance with public sector pay rises, ensuring that the Crown maintains its financial relevance in the context of state budgets and rising expectations from public servants. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2