Tens of thousands march in latest Portugal housing protests

Tens of thousands of people marched in more than 30 Portuguese towns and cities on Saturday, calling for urgent action on rising rents and a worsening shortage of affordable homes. The demonstrations, the largest national protest since the housing movement began weeks ago, put pressure on the government as parliament approved changes to rental rules that campaigners say could weaken tenant protections.

Organised by Casa Para Viver, a coalition of about 100 housing and grassroots groups, protesters demanded limits on rent increases, stronger protection against eviction and more affordable housing. Portugal’s home price-to-income ratio rose 61 per cent between 2015 and 2025, the largest increase in the EU, while rents have risen 68 per cent since 2020. The government has cut taxes on new construction, restricted short-term rentals and pledged 145,000 homes, but says the measures will take time to have an effect.