National Bank of Poland raises monthly bonus for Governor Adam Glapiński, boosting pay by nearly 200,000 PLN

Salary and bonus adjustments

The management board of the National Bank of Poland approved a resolution adjusting the bonus structure for its executive leadership, with changes taking effect on 1 October 2026. The resolution was formally prepared by the director of the NBP Human Resources Department and approved by NBP Governor Adam Glapiński acting as chairman of the board. Under the new terms published in the Public Information Bulletin, Glapiński's monthly bonus rose from 130% to 150% of his basic salary. This revision provides an estimated increase of 5,000 PLN per month, raising his monthly earnings to nearly 59,000 PLN gross. The measure represents an increase of approximately 9% in his total regular compensation.

Projected earnings through 2027

The earnings of the central bank governor follow a multi-part structure governed by regulations for top state officials alongside internal bank provisions. The base remuneration is tied to the state base rate, multiplied by statutory coefficients and supplemented by functional and seniority allowances. In addition to regular monthly pay and bonuses, executive compensation includes quarterly awards paid after the board approves quarterly financial plan execution reports. These awards range from three times the monthly salary in the first quarter to four and a half times in the fourth quarter. In 2025, Glapiński earned 1,591,000 PLN, while Vice-President Adam Lipiński earned 1,297,000 PLN and former First Deputy Governor Marta Kightley earned 1,292,000 PLN.

Board transitions and timeline

The updated bonus schedule also applies to other leadership roles within the institution as leadership positions transition. The first deputy governor's bonus multiplier rose by 15 percentage points, although the post remains vacant following the conclusion of Marta Kightley's term in March 2026. Vice-President Adam Lipiński received a 10 percentage point increase in his bonus multiplier ahead of the scheduled conclusion of his term in November 2026. Compensation adjustments will also extend to members of the Monetary Policy Council and upper NBP management. Starting 1 January 2027, statutory base rates for senior state positions will increase by 3%, projecting Glapiński's annual earnings to between 1,800,000 PLN and 1,830,000 PLN, an increase of roughly 190,000 to 200,000 PLN.

Political scrutiny and institutional reactions

The salary increases drew sharp public criticism from former central bank governor Leszek Balcerowicz, who led the NBP between 2001 and 2007. Speaking in an interview on Radio ZET, Balcerowicz rejected the rationale for the pay adjustment.

Of course he didn't deserve it. Moreover, he would belong, or perhaps already belongs, to the highest-earning heads of central banks in Europe, and perhaps even in the world.

Supporters of the compensation framework stated that managing the central bank involves heavy institutional responsibilities and pointed out that leaders of some other central banks receive higher compensation. However, the Supreme Audit Office had previously raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency in determining executive salaries at the institution. The bonus framework is also under scrutiny by the parliamentary Constitutional Accountability Committee, which is reviewing allegations related to executive remuneration in a motion to bring Glapiński before the State Tribunal.