President Ülle Madis has some advisors who receive higher salaries than Alar Karis's advisors. For example, the security advisor and the president's advisor receive more money. Many advisors also do more work than before.
The president's office says that advisors must now work full-time. This means they can no longer work part-time. The work has become more challenging and extensive.
Mariann Sudakov, the head of communications at the president's office, says: "The salary of advisors depends on their workload, tasks, and the scope of responsibility. Now, several positions are filled full-time. Therefore, the salaries are comparable to those of deputy chancellors or chancellors."
Ülle Madis's advisors and their salaries: - Communications advisor Harrys Puusepp - 6000 euros - Security advisor Rainer Saks - 6500 euros - Foreign advisor Margus Kolga - 4600 euros, workload 0.9 - Cultural advisor Jaak Prints - 5000 euros - Legal advisors Hent-Raul Kalmo and Ida Ulita Vooglaid - 1900 euros, workload 0.4 - National Defense Council advisor Taimar Peterkop - 4000 euros, workload 0.5 - Domestic policy advisor Vladimir Svet - 6000 euros - Advisor Piret Arukaevu - 4800 euros - Head of the office Paavo Nõgene - 8000 euros
Alar Karis's advisors and their salaries: - Communications advisor Hannes Hamburg - 3000 euros, workload 0.5 - Security advisor Madis Roll - 3900 euros - Foreign advisor Margus Kolga - 4600 euros, workload 0.9 - Cultural advisor Rasmus Puur - 1800 euros, workload 0.25 - Legal advisor Hent-Raul Kalmo - 1900 euros, workload 0.4 - Advisor Sigrid Haage - 3300 euros - Head of the office Krista Zibo - 6100 euros
Unlike during Alar Karis's time, Ülle Madis does not have a science advisor and an economic advisor. Alar Karis did not have a domestic policy advisor and a National Defense Council advisor.
The salary increase is ensured by the budget increase next year. The office will receive an additional 334,000 euros from the state budget in 2027. In total, costs will increase by five percent from 7,226,000 euros in 2026 to 7,560,000 euros in 2027.
The largest expenses are labor costs, which will increase by 11 percent. The state budget cites improving salary competitiveness as the reason. Costs will increase from 3,092,000 euros (2026) to 3,421,000 euros (2027). The increase in administrative costs at the president's office is 6000 euros.