Law enforcement officers moved into Rossio Square in Lisbon during early morning hours on Sunday to remove an encampment established by housing protesters. The operation involved dozens of uniformed personnel and police dogs, with commanders issuing three separate warnings before proceeding with the dispersal. Police also conducted a concurrent operation against a smaller camp in Porto’s Dom Joao I square.
The tent camp had been erected following a large-scale march through the city on Saturday, during which thousands of demonstrators called on the government to withdraw proposed rental legislation. Protesters contended the legislation would exacerbate Portugal’s ongoing housing affordability challenges. Police officials cited the illegal nature of the encampments as justification for removal, while warning that resistance could result in disobedience charges.
Sunday’s actions represented the second enforcement operation within a week at the same locations. A previous operation the prior Sunday resulted in 25 arrests in Lisbon and six in Porto, with housing advocacy organizations reporting significant injuries from that intervention. Police characterized both operations as appropriate responses to the situation.
Portugal is experiencing one of Europe’s most acute housing affordability crises, with residential prices more than doubling since 2017 and rental rates on new agreements nearly doubling during the same period. Officials estimate a deficit of approximately 300,000 residential units nationwide. The proposed government measures would facilitate evictions and eliminate rental caps on new leases, changes that activists argue would intensify housing insecurity. The demonstrations reflect broader European discontent regarding housing expenses and government policies across multiple nations.
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