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This work describes the preparation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of four palladium(II) complexes, namely, [Pd(meg)(1,10-phen)] 1 , [Pd(meg)(PPh 3 ) 2 ] 2, [Pd(og)(1,10-phen)] 3 and [Pd(og)(PPh 3 ) 2 ] 4 , where meg = methyl gallate, og = octyl gallate, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and PPh 3 = triphenylphosphine. As to the chemical structures, spectral and physicochemical studies of 1 - 4 indicated that methyl or octyl gallate coordinates a palladium(II) ion through two oxygen atoms upon deprotonation. A chelating bidentate phenanthroline or two triphenylphosphine molecules complete the coordination sphere of palladium(II) ion, depending on the complex. The metal complexes were tested against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain and 2 exhibited high activity (MIC = 3.28 μg/mL). As to the tests with Campylobacter jejuni , complex 1 showed a significant effect in reducing bacterial population (greater than 7 log CFU) in planktonic forms, as well as in the biomass intensity (IBF: 0.87) when compared to peracetic acid (IBF: 1.11) at a concentration of 400 μg/mL. The effect provided by these complexes has specificity according to the target microorganism and represent a promising alternative for the control of microorganisms of public health importance.