Glossary

EPE

Published 8 November 2026, 22:53
EPE — entidade pública empresarial (state-owned enterprise)

A form of public organisation that is run like a business: it has its own budget and its own board, and staff are on ordinary employment contracts rather than civil service contracts. State hospitals and local health units (ULS) take this form. The form matters in details that come up in disputes: for example, if the two sides have not agreed on minimum services during a strike at such an enterprise, they are set by arbitration, not by ministerial order.

Where you come across it. The hospital's name on documents: “Hospital … , EPE”. Labour disputes in the public health service.