At most smaller shows NOTHING gets paid, the competitors have to cover all of their expenses themselves.
That's the reason why many many European BBs stay in the Amateur ranks eventough having pro potential, cause for International Amateur contests they get paid everything (flight, hotel,..) from their national federation, while turning pro and competing in pro shows they get nothing.
If you don't have the potential of a Dennis Wolf and have the genetics and looks for getting major supplement contracts and place in the Top 3-5 of the Arnolds or Olympia, it makes ZERO sense for any European BB to turn pro, acting as cannon fodder for the places 12-15 at 3rd tier shows.
Look at Paco, brought insane size and conditioning, travels from Spain to Tampa paying himself for his flight, hotel, and everything else, and is sent back home with an 8th place, ZERO price money or anything else. What's the point?? Without a sponsor and plenty of exposure they won't ever let him in a final in the US, no matter how good he looks. Why doesn't he compete as an Amateur in European or World Championships, getting paid for all of his expenses and fights there for the Top spots instead of getting overlooked at fucking hicksville shows in the US.
