A group of musicians performed at the housing protest in Rossio square this past Sunday, 1 November, aiming to highlight that the housing crisis affects all social classes and political spectrums.
This update is from Bica
Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.
It's free, with no signup and no app to download.
Read today’s briefing
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Portugal is running the 'Christmas with Portuguese Families' project to pair international students with local families for the holiday season. Registration is open until 30 November, with pairings to be finalised by 12 December. The organization aims to expand the initiative to 20 cities this year and is now manually matching participants to better suit individual needs.
Protesters currently camped in Rossio square have refused a proposal from the Lisbon City Council to relocate. The Council suggested three alternative locations to accommodate the upcoming Christmas Market, but protesters insist that the market should be moved instead.
The government is launching a new strategy to support traditional craft businesses through the Professional Training Centre for Craft and Heritage (Cearte) and the IEFP. Artisans can apply for non-refundable funding of up to 2,685.65 euros in 2026 to cover participation in up to five promotional events, with travel and duration costs factored into the award. Additionally, Cearte is launching an online entrepreneurship course scheduled for October to December 2026 and intends to publish a national calendar of craft events before the end of the year.