Lithuanian police seeks 168 million euros in extra funding

Lithuania’s police force has asked for an additional 168 million euros for next year, but the interior minister says the state budget cannot meet every request. LRT reported that negotiations over funding for public institutions are under way ahead of the government’s planned submission of the 2027 budget to parliament.

The police budget was 363 million euros in 2026. If the request from Police Commissioner General Arūnas Paulauskas is approved, it would rise to 531 million euros next year. The likelihood of the force receiving the full amount is very low, according to LRT.

The Police Department said funding is needed primarily for officers’ salaries, as well as to strengthen the capabilities of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, update weapons and special equipment, and improve public safety.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said he was dissatisfied with the current level of police funding but acknowledged that the budget could not cover everything being requested. He said he hoped it would meet at least some of the priority needs.

Paulauskas said in May that the force faced major financial problems and was “only patching holes, not developing.” He also argued that, relative to gross domestic product, Lithuania’s police force was the worst-funded in the European Union.

The Police Department said negotiations are continuing with the Interior Ministry and the government, and that it is too early to give specific figures for next year’s funding.