Information about the royals’ salaries was released on Thursday, February 12. Felipe VI will earn $343,882 annually in 2026, an increase of $5,112 from last year.
Queen Letizia will receive $189,728, an increase of approximately $3,416. Queen Sofia also saw an increase, now receiving $155,340 annually, which is $2,890 more than in 2025.
This increase stems from the 1.5% raise approved for state employees, as part of the Framework Agreement for the Improvement of Public Employment signed by the government and unions in January. The plan includes an 11% pay increase for public employees through 2028.
The total budget for the Royal Household has remained frozen at 9,960,720 million dollars since 2021. According to sources at La Zarzuela, they had to use their “savings” to implement these salary increases.
Last year, in 2025, the King and Queen, as well as Queen Sofia, received the same compensation as they did in 2024. The last increase before this was in 2024, when a 2.5% raise was applied, similar to that for civil servants.
King Emeritus Juan Carlos, who resides in Abu Dhabi, has not received any of these budgets since March 2020. Princess Leonor and infanta Sofia also do not receive any payments from the Royal Household. Felipe and Letizia cover all their daughters’ expenses.
In addition to the royals’ salaries, it was revealed that Camilo Villarino, the head of the Royal Household and equivalent to a minister, earns $212,157 gross annually. Other senior positions earn around $154,154 gross annually.
All this information is available on the Royal Household’s website, which details how the more than $9 million they receive from the State is distributed.
Article 65.1 of the Constitution states that the king receives a lump sum for the support of his family and household, and he distributes it as he sees fit. The goal is for the Head of State to have a sufficient budget to operate independently. Nothing new under the sun, but it’s always good to know where the money goes.