Tens of thousands of people marched through more than 30 cities and towns across Portugal in the largest protest yet against soaring housing costs that many say have put buying or renting a home beyond their reach.
The housing crisis has fuelled weeks of demonstrations. Some activists have camped in central squares in Lisbon and Porto, the country’s two largest cities. Riot police with dogs have dispersed some protests, drawing accusations of heavy-handed tactics.
The demonstrations took inspiration from protests that began in neighbouring Spain in October over similar housing concerns. They come amid widespread social unrest across Europe this autumn.
Marching under the slogan “We won’t let them steal our right to housing,” participants ranged from teenagers to retirees. Drums, music and chants accompanied the Lisbon march as protesters carried large banners and flags.
“Things have become intolerable,” said Ana Encarnação, 42, citing rising living costs and the widening gap between rich and poor.
Activists want ceilings placed on rent increases, greater legal protection for tenants against eviction, and more affordable housing.
House prices in Portugal have risen much faster than incomes, statistics show.
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 per cent, followed by the Netherlands with 34 per cent, the EU statistical office Eurostat said last week.
There is no indication that the rise in housing costs is slowing. Between the first quarter of last year and the first quarter of 2026, housing prices rose by almost 20 per cent, the National Statistics Institute, a government agency, said last month.
Rental prices, too, have climbed significantly, recording a 68 per cent increase since 2020.
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