Portugal to reward emergency locum doctors with new pay incentives

Portugal’s government is set to approve a new pay scheme for locum doctors working emergency shifts in public hospitals. The decree introduces an exceptional performance incentive for physicians under the National Health Service (SNS). The plan aims to reward extra hours worked, particularly during weekends and high-demand periods.

The incentive applies to doctors who complete 48-hour blocks of work, calculated as a percentage of their base salary. If a physician works at least 48 hours over a weekend and agrees to an additional shift, the bonus rate increases by 20%. Payment is guaranteed even if the doctor is available but not called in due to low patient numbers or service limitations.

Before qualifying for the incentive, doctors must first use up the supplementary work hours already allowed by law. Oversight of any work exceeding annual legal limits will be handled by the clinical director and the head of the emergency department. The scheme is not part of base pay and will not affect other supplementary earnings. Exact figures for the incentive are still under negotiation with medical unions. Unlike temporary measures, this decree has no fixed end date.

The Cabinet’s upcoming approval will formalise the new pay structure for emergency locum work. The scheme provides financial rewards for extended shifts while ensuring compliance with legal work-hour limits. Hospitals will now monitor and manage overtime more closely under the revised rules.