Housing campaigners are taking to the streets of Lisbon today (Saturday, October 24), marching from Marquês de Pombal to Rossio Square to demand urgent measures to tackle Portugal’s worsening housing crisis.
Organised by the “Acampada de Lisboa” movement, the demonstration was held under the slogan “We have no home, so we set up tents!”, reflecting growing frustration over soaring housing costs, property speculation and the difficulties many people face in finding affordable accommodation.
The march follows two weeks of protests that began in Porto on October 10 before spreading to Lisbon and other Portuguese cities.
Protesters have established a presence in Rossio Square, where tents have become a symbol of the movement’s demands for greater access to housing.
Police pledge peaceful approach
Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) said officers had been deployed to monitor housing demonstrations in several cities, with particular attention to Lisbon and Porto.
In a statement reported by Lusa news agency, the PSP said its priority was to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and protest while ensuring public safety.
Police said their approach would continue to prioritise dialogue, communication and mediation with demonstrators, with the aim of preventing incidents and responding proportionately to any disturbances.
Traffic officers and rapid intervention teams were mobilised, while specialist police units remain on standby.
The PSP also confirmed that it was monitoring publicly available information, including online activity, to anticipate potential risks.
Opposition politicians join demonstrators
Several opposition politicians joined today’s march, accusing the government of failing to respond adequately to the housing crisis.
José Manuel Pureza, leader of the Left Bloc (BE), said the growing mobilisation of people from different backgrounds and age groups could influence government policy.
He drew parallels with opposition to proposed labour legislation, arguing that public pressure could also force changes to the government’s rental housing measures.
Pureza also criticised Prime Minister Luís Montenegro for his apparent silence on the demonstrations.
“In recent days, we have not heard the prime minister speak about these protests. Or about anything else. The prime minister’s whereabouts are unknown,” he said.
João Ferreira, a Communist Party (PCP) councillor in Lisbon, accused the government of introducing measures that could aggravate property speculation rather than improve access to housing.
He argued that government policies were creating greater instability in rental contracts and making housing increasingly difficult to afford.
“This cannot fail to generate indignation,” he told reporters.
Livre MP Isabel Mendes Lopes also attended the protest, arguing that the demonstrations were already influencing political debate.
She said the tone adopted by government officials and right-wing parties had become less confrontational since the protests began, suggesting that political leaders were recognising the strength of public support for demands for housing reform.
Saturday’s demonstration adds to mounting pressure on the government to address Portugal’s housing shortage, rising rents and the growing difficulties faced by residents trying to secure affordable homes.
Protests spread across Europe
Portugal’s housing protests come amid a wider wave of demonstrations across Europe over the rising cost of living, housing difficulties, low wages and other social concerns.
In France, police have arrested 135 people during nationwide protests, with around 35,000 demonstrators taking to the streets on Saturday. More than 70,000 police officers were deployed following disturbances the previous weekend.
In Brussels, police used tear gas after around 300 protesters broke through a police cordon during a demonstration against rising living and fuel costs.
Meanwhile, approximately 25,000 people marched in Madrid in defence of public pensions, while a separate housing protest camp in the Spanish capital entered its 28th day.
Demonstrations are also taking place in Italy over living costs, wages and defence spending, while students in Albania are protesting against poor educational conditions and limited opportunities.