Estonia’s Ministry of Finance has published 2025 public-sector salary data. According to figures reported by ERR, President Alar Karis and Supreme Court Chief Justice Villu Kõve were the highest-paid officials in Estonia’s public sector, each receiving gross pay of €115,118 in 2025. Prime Minister Kristen Michal received €107,394.
The figures provide a useful benchmark for comparing top public-office pay across the Baltic region.
Data card: Baltic presidents’ pay in 2025
| Country | President | Pay level | Annualised / reported annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | Gitanas Nausėda | about €10,355 gross per month | about €124,264 per year |
| Estonia | Alar Karis | €115,118 gross in 2025 | reported annual pay |
| Latvia | Edgars Rinkēvičs | about €8,659 gross per month | about €103,913 per year |
By nominal salary level, Lithuania has the highest-paid president in the Baltics. Estonia follows, while Latvia remains lower.
There is one caveat. Estonia has published annual gross pay data for 2025, while Latvia and Lithuania are more easily compared through monthly gross salary formulas and annualised equivalents. These figures should therefore be read as a comparison of official pay levels, not as personal wealth or full income declarations.
The comparison among prime ministers is narrower. Estonia’s Kristen Michal received €107,394 in 2025. Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa is at roughly €103,900 per year by nominal salary. Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has a similar annualised pay level of around €105,000, although she took office only in late September 2025, so this is not her actual full-year income.
The broader signal is that Baltic heads of state and government are paid roughly at the level of four to five average gross salaries in their own countries. That is high by household standards, but not exceptional for top public offices in small EU states.
Bottom line: Lithuania currently has the highest-paid president in the Baltics by formal salary level. Estonia is close behind, and Latvia remains lower.
Data basis: Estonian Ministry of Finance / ERR public-sector salary data for 2025; official salary formulas and public salary reports for Latvia and Lithuania.
Comparison method: Published Estonian annual gross pay compared with annualised gross salary levels for Latvia and Lithuania.
Interpretation: Official pay levels, not personal wealth or full income declarations.