Protesters have called for a demonstration in Lisbon this Saturday, 2026-10-17, including an organized camp-in to protest the housing crisis. A separate gathering is also scheduled for today, Thursday, 2026-10-15, at 19:00, in solidarity with participants of a similar housing protest in Porto that saw police intervention earlier today.
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Economist Ricardo Amaro of Oxford Economics identifies the shortage and high cost of housing as a growing barrier for foreign investors in Portugal. The firm's recent report also warns that inflation in Portugal is expected to remain high, projected at 3% for next year, which threatens household purchasing power and continues to pressure energy and food costs.
The Minister of Internal Administration and the PSP National Director defended the police intervention at a housing protest in Porto, citing the refusal of demonstrators to remove tents after the legal authorization expired at 12:30am. The clash occurred around 3am on Thursday, resulting in injuries to protesters and one officer. An official report and video evidence are being sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
New rules for the affordable housing program (Programa de Arrendamento Acessível) simplify administrative requirements and remove the mandatory 35% cap on rent-to-income ratios for tenants.