Lithuania plans 7.5% pay rise for officers, seeks more funding

Statutory officers’ salaries are expected to rise by an average of about 7.5% next year, but the Ministry of the Interior says it will continue seeking more funding to meet public services’ needs, LRT reported, citing a ministry press release.

The proposed 2027 state budget allocates more than 35 million euros in additional funding for pay in the ministry’s system. The planned increase would amount to about 128 euros net per month on average.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said the proposed budget did not yet meet all the needs of police officers, firefighters, border guards, the Financial Crime Investigation Service and the Public Security Service. The ministry is continuing talks with the prime minister and the Ministry of Finance about additional funding, he said.

Average net monthly pay for statutory officers rose from 1,358 euros in 2023 to 1,474 euros in 2024 and 1,557 euros in 2025. It reached 1,623 euros in the first half of 2026.

Katelynas said higher salaries were needed to retain experienced officers and recruit new staff. He added that services also needed funding for infrastructure, equipment, supplies and other requirements, and called for sustained financing for internal security.

The 2027 budget proposal will still be considered. The Ministry of the Interior said it would continue making the case for additional funding for its institutions.