Portuguese security forces dismantled a protest camp in central Lisbon early Sunday, employing baton charges and police dogs to clear activists who had gathered to demand government intervention in the nation’s severe housing crisis. The operation in Rossio Square, which commenced shortly after 2:00 am, resulted in 25 arrests and followed a large-scale march by thousands of citizens on Saturday. A similar effort was simultaneously conducted in Porto at Praca D Joao I, where authorities cleared an additional 50 tents and detained six more individuals. Some with police dogs, moved in on the camp in Rossio Square shortly after 2am (02:00 GMT) on Sunday, dozens of officers. “Choosing the early hours of the morning to unleash dogs and baton-charge peaceful protesters is a political decision.
The group Casa para Viver, which organized the demonstration, stated that 60 people sustained injuries during the overnight actions. In contrast, police officials described their tactical response as “proportionate.” Those taken into custody in Lisbon were released but face upcoming court appearances on Monday. In a statement, the activist collective accused the government of prioritizing the suppression of dissent over addressing the underlying economic hardships, announcing plans for further protests outside the parliament building this Tuesday. According to while police, Seven minor injuries among officers and protesters in the two operations, the activist group Casa para Viver (Homes to Live) said 60 people were hurt and called for a fresh protest outside parliamen.
Portugal is currently contending with one of the most severe home affordability crises in Europe. Since 2017, property values have surged by more than 100 percent, while costs for new rental agreements have seen a near-identical increase. Young people remain the demographic most adversely affected by these market conditions. The Bank of Portugal has identified a critical supply shortage of approximately 300,000 units, a figure roughly equivalent to the entire existing housing stock of Lisbon.
Public frustration is mounting over proposed legislation currently moving through parliament that would simplify the eviction process and potentially terminate existing rent controls.
While the far-right Chega party has opted to abstain from the vote, protesters view the move as a direct threat to household stability.
These domestic tensions follow similar demonstrations regarding housing shortages and escalating living costs observed recently in Spain and France, where student-led initiatives against educational conditions expanded into broader critiques of governmental economic management. Protesters say soaring rents and higher living costs are squeezing households and turning housing into a growing source of discontent.
