Portugal's Largest Police Union Halts Pay Negotiations with Government

Police Union Declares Impasse in Pay Talks

Portugal's largest police union, the Associação Sindical dos Profissionais da Polícia (ASPP/PSP), announced on November 29, 2025, its decision to abandon pay negotiations with the government. The union deemed the proposals presented by the government as 'insufficient' to meet the expectations of its members regarding salary scales, supplements, and evaluation regulations.

Paulo Santos, president of ASPP/PSP, conveyed the union's position to the Lusa news agency, stating, 'ASPP is abandoning the negotiations because the proposal presented does not meet what we would expect regarding the salary scales, supplements, and evaluation regulations.' This move comes after the union had previously set a deadline of November 28 for the government to present concrete proposals.

Details of the Disputed Offer

The government's latest offer, presented by the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, included an initial review of paid services and, without a set implementation date, changes to occupational health and safety regulations, careers and remuneration status, and the evaluation system. More specifically, the minister announced a 2.15% increase in the special service supplement for military personnel working in criminal investigation and special units, effective January. However, according to various unions, this translates to a modest increase of only between €3 and €7 per month, depending on duties performed.

This offer was met with strong disapproval, with César Nogueira of the APG union reportedly calling it 'worse than what was offered by the previous Socialist government.' The unions argue that the government has failed to fully honor an agreement signed in July 2024, which promised a phased increase in 'risk supplements' of €300, along with revisions to professional statutes and salary scales.

Broader Context and Future Actions

The current impasse is part of a larger wave of discontent among Portuguese security forces. Police officers have been advocating for better wages and hazard pay, demanding compensation equivalent to that received by the criminal investigation police (PJ), who have seen significantly higher increases. The discrepancy in pay, where a rookie PSP or GNR constable earns significantly less than a starting inspector at the Polícia Judiciária, has been a central point of contention.

In response to the breakdown in talks, ASPP/PSP plans to convene a meeting next week to decide on specific protest actions. Other unions representing the GNR (National Republican Guard) have also expressed dissatisfaction with the government's proposals and are expected to join potential protests, signaling a unified front among the country's security forces.