Tens of thousands protest across Portugal over soaring housing costs
Protests occurred in over 30 cities across Portugal, reflecting increasing frustration over rising housing costs and insufficient incomes. Many protesters, including students and professionals, expressed concern about the affordability of housing. Demonstrators called for stronger tenant protections and limits on rent increases amidst growing inequality. The government promised to implement…
On Saturday, Portuguese citizens gathered in over 30 cities and towns to protest against skyrocketing housing costs, demanding more affordable homes, rent caps, and better tenant protections. Protesters, spanning from teenagers to retirees, were fueled by the rapid housing price increase, which has outpaced income growth in the nation over the past decade. Their rallying cry was "We won't let them steal our right to housing," while Lisbon demonstrators chanted "Lower rents, higher salaries."
The protests followed a series of demonstrations over the housing crisis, including tent camps in central squares of Lisbon and Porto, the two largest cities in Portugal. Police forcibly cleared some camps, causing accusations of heavy-handed tactics. The protest movement gained momentum after parliament passed a bill to expedite property owners' eviction procedures. Protesters also drew inspiration from recent housing protests in neighboring Spain.
Official statistics reveal the severity of the affordability crisis, with Portugal experiencing the largest increase in the ratio of house prices to income among EU countries between 2015 and 2025 (61%). Housing prices continued to rise, with an almost 20% increase between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. Rental costs surged by 68% since 2020, the Portuguese government reported.
Factors contributing to the price surge include high demand from foreign buyers, investment funds, digital nomads, and retirees, as well as tourism growth and the conversion of city-center apartments into short-term rentals. Insufficient new housing construction has exacerbated the issue.
Activists are pushing for rent controls, stronger eviction protections, more public and affordable housing, and measures to curb property market speculation. Protesters like 35-year-old data analyst Susana Pacheco expressed concern for younger generations' ability to afford homes. Ana Encarnação, 42, highlighted the widening gap between the rich and poor and the intolerable living costs.
20-year-old arts student Matile Cunha lamented the difficulty in finding affordable accommodation for students. Maite Chaves, a 40-year-old Uruguayan resident in Lisbon for 17 years, stated that Portugal is the most unequal country in Europe, given the income disparity and high rent prices. The Portuguese government has introduced tax cuts for new construction, restrictions on short-term rentals, and a pledge to build 145,000 homes, but acknowledges these measures will take time to show results.
President António José Seguro convened the Council of State to discuss the protests and met with demonstrators on Friday.
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