Tens of thousands march in latest Portugal housing protests
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in more than 30 Portuguese towns and cities to protest against surging rental prices, demanding urgent government action to address the country's worsening housing crisis.
Organised by the Casa Para Viver (A Home to Live In) platform, demonstrations on Saturday took place under the slogan "They will not steal our right to a home," with protests in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Portimao, Coimbra, Braga and other locations. Participants, ranging from teenagers to retired people, walked behind large banners, with the Lisbon march punctuated by drums, music, and chanting.
Protesters' Demands
Protesters called for caps to be placed on rent increases, greater legal protection for tenants against eviction, and more affordable housing. They also demanded the reversal of proposed changes to rental legislation.
The nationwide mobilisation showed the housing crisis was affecting the entire country, rather than being limited to major urban centres.
Rising Property Costs
Portugal's housing crisis has been exacerbated by rapidly rising property prices. Between 2015 and 2025, Portugal posted the biggest jump in the European Union in the home price-to-income ratio, with an increase of 61 percent. Between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, property prices rose by almost 20 percent.
Rental prices have climbed significantly, recording a 68 percent increase since 2020, according to the government. Much of this jump in real estate costs has been fuelled by foreign buyers and investment funds, as the country's relaxed climate near the ocean has attracted many remote workers and retirees.
Government Response
The government has responded to the protests by lowering taxes on new construction, restricting short-term rentals, and promising to build 145,000 new homes, but it acknowledged that the effects will not be immediate. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro was urged by Casa Para Viver representatives to engage directly with them.
The protests in Portugal took their cue from demonstrations in neighbouring Spain last month over similar issues around housing and forced evictions. A wave of youth-led protests has swept Europe in the latter half of 2026, with demonstrators across the continent denouncing rising prices and a lack of future prospects.
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