Portuguese police disperse housing protesters in Lisbon

Approximately dozens of officers, some accompanied by canine units, entered Rossio Square around 4:30 am (04:30 GMT) on Sunday. The move occurred after thousands marched on Saturday, demanding the government retract a proposed rental bill that protesters believe will exacerbate Portugal’s housing crisis.

More than 50 tents had been set up in Rossio Square after Saturday’s march. Police commander Iuri Rodrigues issued three warnings instructing protesters to remove the tents, citing their illegal construction and the potential for disobedience charges if they resisted.

Hundreds of demonstrators who were protecting the camp were dispersed, and police also dismantled a smaller encampment in Porto’s Dom Joao I square.

Lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves stated that Rossio Square was peaceful and that the police intervention involving force and batons was unwarranted.

The intervention mirrors actions taken the previous Sunday, during which 25 people were arrested in Lisbon and six in Porto. Casa para Viver, a housing campaign group, reported that 60 people sustained injuries during those operations, which police deemed proportionate.

The protests are indicative of broader discontent over housing costs across Europe, with similar demonstrations occurring in Spain and opposition to economic policies in France, Germany, and Albania.

Portugal is currently grappling with a severe housing affordability crisis, particularly impacting young people. House prices have more than doubled since 2017, and rents for new leases have nearly doubled.

The Bank of Portugal estimates a deficit of 300,000 homes nationwide, a figure equivalent to the entire housing stock of Lisbon.

The protesters are urging the minority center-right government to abandon legislation that would simplify eviction processes and eliminate rent controls on new leases, arguing that these measures would worsen affordability and leave tenants vulnerable.