Police unions kick off nationwide protests over pay, staffing and broken promises
On Monday, officers from Portugal’s two national police forces gathered in Porto for the first in a series of coordinated demonstrations, demanding urgent reforms to pay, conditions and operational capacity. The protest, organized by the Associação Sindical dos Profissionais da Polícia (ASPP) and joined by the Associação dos Profissionais da Guarda (APG/GNR), began at the PSP’s Metropolitan Command and ended at the city’s town hall — a symbolic route meant to draw attention from both police leadership and local authorities.
The core demand is the full implementation of the July 2024 agreement, which promised a €300 increase to the risk supplement but left unresolved key issues: salary scales, career progression, work schedules, and the evaluation system. Union leaders say this failure has led to declining morale, worsening staffing levels and a growing gap in public safety — especially in tourist zones and smaller towns.
PSP staffing has fallen to 20,308 officers as of December 2025, down from over 20,800 in 2023. With nearly twice as many leaving the force (895) as joining (458) last year, patrols are stretched thinner. Officers report delays in response times, outdated vehicles and closed esquadras, with residents across regions including Faro, Funchal and Guimarães raising growing concerns over visible security gaps.
A flashpoint in negotiations is the Ministry of Internal Administration’s proposal to grant a €160 monthly supplement in 2026 (backdated to July) and €230 in 2027 to officers in the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders. The ASPP rejects this as a targeted concession that ignores wider instability. Union leaders argue this payment should replace — not add to — existing allowances and demand parity with the risk supplement structure used by the Polícia Judiciária.
Protests are planned for seven cities between late September and mid-October: Leiria (1 October), Lisbon (8 October), Faro and Funchal (14 October), Guimarães (16 October), and Ponta Delgada (21 October). Each rally coincides with local council sessions, aiming to pressure mayors to publicly support demands for more police presence.
A proposed national demonstration is on hold, pending outcomes from Tuesday’s talks with Minister Luís Neves. Negotiators will present proposals on restructuring careers and reorganizing working hours — two long-delayed reforms the government says are already scheduled, not a reaction to unrest.
The €1.12 billion allocated in 2026 for PSP personnel — an 11.3% increase — has not eased tensions. Unions say the money is flowing in, but not where it’s needed: recruitment, retention and day-to-day operational support. The APG/GNR also demands restoration of pension cuts that reduced retirement benefits by 30–40%, affecting hundreds of former officers.
The unions stress this is not merely a labor dispute — it is a public safety issue. With fewer officers on the ground, response capabilities weaken, and citizens feel the absence in neighborhoods once considered safe. While the government confirms plans to hire more personnel and modernize equipment, union leaders warn that without binding commitments to systemic reform, service gaps will deepen.
Paulo Santos, president of the ASPP, said the protests could be scaled back or canceled if meaningful, written guarantees are made before October. But for now, the message remains clear: officers are not just asking for more money — they are demanding the government finally honor its word.
