Lisbon Police Disperse Housing Protest Camp Amidst Soaring Rents and Eviction Bill Concerns

Lisbon, Portugal – Police forces, equipped with shields and batons, have once again dispersed housing protesters who had established a tent camp in Rossio Square, the capital city’s central plaza. This action, occurring on Sunday morning, follows a similar operation the previous week that drew significant criticism from both protesters and human rights organizations. The intervention took place around 4:30 AM, with dozens of officers, some accompanied by police dogs, entering the square. This comes just a day after thousands participated in a march to demand the government retract a rental bill, which demonstrators argue will exacerbate the nation's ongoing housing crisis.

Following Saturday's large-scale march through Lisbon, protesters had set up over 50 tents in Rossio Square. Police commander Iuri Rodrigues issued three official warnings for the tents to be removed, citing their illegal erection and warning that resistance could lead to disobedience charges. Hundreds of demonstrators who were present to protect the camp were dispersed by the authorities. In parallel, a smaller encampment located in Porto’s Dom Joao I square was also dismantled.

Earlier in the day, lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves had commented on the situation in Rossio Square, describing it as peaceful and stating that there was no justification for a police intervention involving force, physical violence, or baton charges, referencing the events of the prior week. The recent intervention echoes operations from the preceding Sunday, during which police arrested 25 individuals in Lisbon and six in Porto. The housing campaign group Casa para Viver reported that 60 people sustained injuries across these operations, though police characterized their actions as “proportionate.”

The protests highlight a widespread discontent over escalating housing costs, a sentiment echoed in demonstrations across Europe, including in Spain, and opposition to government economic policies in countries such as France, Germany, and Albania. Portugal is grappling with one of Europe's most severe housing affordability crises, disproportionately affecting young people. Since 2017, house prices have more than doubled, and rents for new leases have nearly doubled. The Bank of Portugal estimates a national housing deficit of 300,000 homes, a figure equivalent to Lisbon's entire existing housing stock.

Protesters are urging the minority centre-right government to withdraw proposed legislation that would facilitate evictions and remove rent caps on new leases. They contend that these measures will worsen housing affordability and leave tenants in a more vulnerable position.