Tens of thousands march across Portugal against soaring housing costs
Protesters in more than 30 cities and towns say home prices and rents have put housing out of reach, with Lisbon and Porto camps.
Tens of thousands of people marched through more than 30 cities and towns across Portugal on Saturday, in the largest protest yet against soaring housing costs. Some activists have camped in central squares in Lisbon and Porto, and riot police with dogs have broken up some protests. Protesters want rent increases capped, stronger tenant protection against eviction and more affordable housing. The demonstrations were inspired by protests that began in neighboring Spain last month.
Portugal posted the largest jump in the European Union's home price-to-income ratio between 2015 and 2025, at 61%. Housing prices rose almost 20% between the first quarter of last year and the first quarter of 2026, and rents are up 68% since 2020. The government has lowered taxes on new construction, restricted short-term rentals and promised 145,000 new homes, but it says the effects will not be immediate. President António José Seguro convened a Council of State to discuss the protests and met some protesters on Friday.
By the numbers
- 30+cities and towns where marches were held
- 61%rise in Portugal's home price-to-income ratio, 2015 to 2025
- 68%rise in rental prices since 2020
Key points
- Protesters ranged from teenagers to retirees.
- Foreign buyers and short-term rentals have pushed up prices.
- Activists say young people cannot afford their own homes.
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