Role of special advisers
Special advisers are selected based on their expertise and qualifications. There are two types:
Non-institutional special advisers provide direct assistance to the President, the Vice-Presidents and the Commissioners of the European Commission.
Institutional special advisers assist institutional bodies of the Commission.
General information on aspects of remuneration/days of work
Special Advisers work on a short-term basis for a very limited number of days per year (on average around 25) and these days may be remunerated or not. The amount of the fees per day of service is in principle set at three separate levels: 1/22 of the basic salary of an official on the first step in grade AD9, AD10 or AD12.
Appointing special advisers
Each special adviser must sign a document declaring that there is no conflict of interest between their duties as adviser to the European Commission and their other activities.
- 19 JUNE 2017
- 20 JUNE 2017
List of designated Special Advisers: Past
- 1 APRIL 2024
- 1 APRIL 2023
- 1 APRIL 2022
- 19 NOVEMBER 2021
- 5 MARCH 2021
- 5 DECEMBER 2019
...
List of designated Special Advisers: Current
- 16 APRIL 2025
| Special Advisers Type | Cabinet | Name | Purpose of appointment | Contract Start Date | Contract End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non Institutional | 1. Von der Leyen | Ms Elisabetta BELLONI | Chief Diplomatic Adviser of the President | 07-03-2025 | 06-03-2027 |
| 17. Alburquerque | Mr David O'SULLIVAN | Special Envoy for EU Sanctions (ESE) | 06-02-2023 | 05-02-2026 | |
| 21. Serafin | Mr Jean-Claude JUNCKER | Former President of the European Commission | 1/12/2024 | 30-11-2026 | |
| Institutional | 21. Serafin | Ms Maria Isabel ROFES i PUJOL | Présidente de L'Instance visée à l'Article 143 du Règlement (UE, Euratom) N° 2018/1046 | 17-11-2023 | 16-11-2025 |
| 21. Serafin | Mr Igors LUDBORŽS | Vice-Président de L'Instance visée à l'Article 143 du Règlement (UE, Euratom) N° 2018/1046 | 17-11-2023 | 16-11-2025 | |
| 21. Serafin | Mr Jean FOSSION | External Member of the Audit Progress Committee | 01-04-2025 | 31-03-2026 | |
| 21. Serafin | Mr Ray PORTELLI | External Member of the Audit Progress Committee | 01-04-2025 | 31-03-2026 | |
| 21. Serafin | Ms Blanka VEZJAK | External Member of the Audit Progress Committee | 01-04-2025 | 31-03-2026 | |
| 21. Serafin | Ms Julia LAFFRANQUE | Fulfilling the role of Controller of procedural guarantees in the context of investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office in accordance with the provisions set out in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013, as amended | 13-09-2022 | 12-09-2026 | |
| 21. Serafin | Ms Françoise LE BAIL | Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Commission | 01-04-2025 | 31-03-2026 | |
| Quasi-Institutional | 9. Valdis Dombrovskis | Mr Pieter Frederick HASEKAMP | Chair of the European Fiscal Board | 16‐04‐2025 | 15‐04‐2027 |
| 9. Valdis Dombrovskis | Mr Eckhard JANEBA | Member of the European Fiscal Board | 16‐04‐2025 | 15‐04‐2027 | |
| 9. Valdis Dombrovskis | Mr Georges KOPITS | Member of the European Fiscal Board | 16‐04‐2025 | 15‐04‐2027 | |
| 9. Valdis Dombrovskis | Ms Benedicta MARZINOTTO | Member of the European Fiscal Board | 16‐04‐2025 | 15‐04‐2027 | |
| 9. Valdis Dombrovskis | Ms Lucía RODRÍGUEZ MUÑOZ | Member of the European Fiscal Board | 16‐04‐2025 | 15‐04‐2027 |