Portuguese housing protesters keep up the pressure with more marches

On Saturday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Lisbon and numerous other Portuguese cities to voice their discontent over skyrocketing housing costs. The demonstrations aimed to keep pressure on the government despite beginning last month due to ongoing anger over rising costs and stagnant wages. Portugal's property market has seen the fastest price growth among EU countries over the past decade, with housing prices exceeding income increases, according to official data.

Advocates are demanding rent control limits, stronger eviction protections, more public housing, and measures to curb speculative property investments. In Lisbon, demonstrators chanted "Lower rents, higher salaries." University student Matile Cunha expressed frustration, saying, "We just want a place where we can study, but you can't find decent accommodation. Prices are at a level that no-one can afford."

Activist Maite Chaves, a 40-year-old Uruguayan resident for 17 years, lamented, "With the little we earn and the prices of rent, we are the most unequal country in Europe." The protest movement emerged after lawmakers passed legislation streamlining property owners' eviction processes. The government has taken a hard stance against tent camps in Lisbon and Porto, deploying police to dismantle them.

Portuguese housing prices, relative to incomes, have surged 60.8% between 2015 and 2025, outpacing other EU nations like the Netherlands (34.3%). Lisbon and Porto experienced the steepest increases. Factors contributing to the issue include tourism booms, foreign investments, short-term rentals by property owners, remote work and retirement migration, and insufficient new construction.

Portugal's median monthly salary is around 2,200 euros. A one-bedroom apartment in central Lisbon requires at least 1,100 euros, according to real estate agents.