Portugal registry workers strike sees 93% participation, shuts most offices

On Friday, Portugal’s civil‑registry and notary workers’ union reported a 93.41% average national participation in the strike that began on Monday and is set to end on Saturday. The action forced the closure of most registry offices in fourteen mainland districts, including Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.

The union’s statement said the “esmagadora maioria das conservatórias” (the overwhelming majority of registries) were shut, citing eleven demands such as a “recrutamento‑choque” to fill the shortage of 279 registrars and 2,731 registry officials – 38% and 55% of the required staff respectively – and the implementation of the Justice Ombudsman’s recommendation to eliminate salary asymmetries. The Ministry of Justice responded that it has already hired 165 new registrars and 605 new officials for 2024‑2025, with many starting duties this year. Minimal services are being maintained for urgent matters like civil marriages, wills, and the issuance of identity cards and passports.