A massive rally drew thousands to Lisbon, Porto and other Portuguese cities Tuesday evening, shortly after police dismantled protest camps and took 55 demonstrators into custody.
Protesters pledged to press ahead with their campaign against Portugal’s worsening housing crisis, which is making homeownership and renting ever more out of reach.
Organizers said more than 1,000 people gathered in each of the two main protest locations, although police did not provide crowd estimates.
In Lisbon’s central Rossio Square, demonstrators voted by show of hands to re‑establish their encampment the following day.
Police moves to shut down protest camps
Police launched coordinated operations in Lisbon and Porto just before 06:00 local time on Tuesday after warning that the camps were illegal.
In Lisbon, roughly 200 tents had been erected in Rossio Square since Saturday; in Porto, demonstrators had occupied Dom João I Square for about ten days.
Authorities seized 228 camping structures during the sweep.
In Porto, demonstrators took down their tents after police warned of intervention. In Lisbon, officers cleared the square as protesters formed a human chain.
Clashes erupted, local TV footage showed.
Carla Valadao, a spokesperson for the Lisbon camp, called the operation “very aggressive.”
However, Public Security Police superintendent Sergio Soares disputed that account, saying the eviction had been “calm, proportionate and appropriate, with no police charge.”
All 55 detainees were later released pending a court hearing in Lisbon set for Wednesday.
Why are people protesting in Portugal?
Portugal is grappling with one of Europe’s most severe housing affordability crises.
Property purchase prices have more than doubled since 2017, while rents for new leases have nearly doubled over the same period.
The problem is particularly acute in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto, where residents have also protested against excessive tourism and an influx of so‑called digital nomads.
Demonstrators accuse the centre‑right government of failing to address the crisis.
They demand the withdrawal of a bill that would ease evictions and abolish rent caps on new leases. The legislation has already passed its first parliamentary reading.
Debora Miranda, a 41‑year‑old communications consultant, told Reuters she joined the Lisbon demonstration to represent generations struggling with rising housing costs. “If people don’t feel at home, in every sense of the word, they can’t move forward with their lives…enough is enough.”
Jorge Paixao, a 19‑year‑old history student, called the situation “a societal crisis.” He said his generation needed “the ability to live with dignity, start families and rejuvenate Portugal.”
Portugal housing protest joins broader European wave
The protests occur amid a broader surge of discontent over housing affordability and living costs across Europe.
Portuguese demonstrators have linked their cause to similar protests in neighbouring Spain.
In Madrid, activists maintain a tent camp demanding stronger action to tackle the housing crisis. The crisis was triggered by the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal from her home.
The four‑week‑long Spanish protests have fuelled political instability, prompting a snap general election on 29 November.
Demonstrations over rising living costs have also erupted in France, Belgium and Italy.
Violence that flared in France over the weekend, on the fringes of otherwise peaceful protests, has raised fears that similar unrest could spread to other nations confronting comparable economic pressures.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar