A U.S. government shutdown has left thousands of European military base workers unpaid, prompting foreign governments to step in.

A record-breaking U.S. government shutdown nearing six weeks has disrupted pay for at least 2,000 local workers at American military bases in Europe, including thousands in Germany, Italy, and Portugal. Germany has covered salaries for nearly 11,000 workers, with plans to seek repayment later. In Italy and Portugal, workers at U.S. bases remain unpaid despite continuing to work, causing financial strain; Portugal’s Azores region approved a loan to cover wages. The Pentagon acknowledged the importance of local employees but did not confirm or address the pay disruptions. The situation highlights the global impact of U.S. political gridlock on foreign workers supporting military operations.