Demonstrators wounded as police break up Lisbon and Porto housing protest camps

[POLICE DISMANTLE LISBON AND PORTO HOUSING PROTESTS, LEAVING 37 INJURED AND 31 ARRESTED]

Published on 25/10/2026 – 16:52 GMT+1

Protesters chanted “smells like a dictatorship” overnight into Sunday as police dismantled tents in both Lisbon and Porto during an operation targeting skyrocketing housing prices.

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In a message posted on X, the police stated that officers intervened early this morning to end these illegal encampments.

Once dialogue ceased, the operation resulted in 31 arrests for disobedience, the police added.

A spokesperson for the Porto protest camp informed Portuguese news agency Lusa that there were 37 minor injuries and two arrests.

“This is the third night of repression using intimidation tactics unheard of in a democratic country ruled by the rule of law,” said Catarina dos Santos to reporters.

The Public Security Police (PSP) had warned earlier in the afternoon that it would not allow tents to remain overnight in Rossio.

Protest camps in main public squares a point of friction for weeks

The presence of tents in Rossio Square and Praça D. João I (in Porto) have been the main points of friction with the police during the past weeks of protest. As night fell, the demonstrators decided by majority to put up tents and stay overnight.

Approximately 130 tents were set up in Rossio Square, Lisbon.

The operation to remove the tents commenced around 1 am in both cities, following reports from protesters about what they described as disproportionate police reinforcement, including canine units assembling in the squares.

“There were at least 20 agitated crowd‑control dogs, and numerous weapons pointed at us, and I cannot understand if this is truly intimidating or serious,” lamented Catarina Santos, speaking to Lusa.

Shortly before 2 am on Sunday, the police contingent cordoned off both squares and moved in on the protesters, who had formed a human chain. Batons were wielded by officers while firecrackers erupted, creating significant confusion. In Praça D. João I, onlookers condemned the PSP’s actions and began singing “Grândola Vila Morena,” a song linked to the 25 April Revolution that ended Portugal’s dictatorship in 1974.

Protesters demand changes in new tenancy law and a cap on rents

The Lisbon and Porto protest camps are advocating for reforms including the reversal of the tenancy law, an end to evictions of those without alternative housing, restrictions on property purchases by investment funds, rehabilitation of vacant structures, and a rent ceiling.

A large crowd gathered the previous day for peaceful demonstrations, accusing the government of inaction regarding Portugal’s housing crisis.

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