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4h ago

U.S. Shutdown Halts Pay at European Bases as Germany Steps In and Azores Approve Loan

Host governments are temporarily covering wages to keep bases staffed.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks during a joint press conference at the MED9 Leaders' Summit in Portoroz, Slovenia, October 20, 2025. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic
FILE -A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy takes off from the joint-use Spanish and U.S. air base in Moron, southern Spain, Friday, Sept. 28, 2001. (AP Photo/Cristina Quicler, File)
Among the countries covering the workers' salaries is Germany, which paid off the salaries of nearly 11,000 civilian employees.

Overview

  • At least 2,000 locally hired workers at U.S. military sites in Europe have had pay interrupted during the nearly six-week shutdown.
  • Germany says it has paid nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases and will seek reimbursement when funding resumes.
  • The Azores regional government approved a bank loan to temporarily pay more than 360 Portuguese workers at Lajes Field.
  • In Italy, unions report more than 1,300 unpaid local employees at Aviano, Vicenza and Livorno who continue working as they appeal for government help.
  • U.S. officials say local staff are expected to work under their contracts, and the Pentagon issued only a brief statement praising local employees without addressing the pay gaps.