Protests for the right to housing took place throughout the country today. Hundreds took to the streets of Lisbon with their banners and completely understandable sense of outrage – while in Aveiro, Barreiro, Benavente, Braga, Coimbra, Covilhã, Faro, Funchal, Lagos, Leiria, Ponta Delgada, Portalegre, Porto, Vila Nova de Santo André and Viseu there were also protests – initiatives supported by dozens of syndicates, movements, collectives, cooperatives and associations.
The reality is that in spite of government attempts to stem the rising tide of prices, they are constantly increasing. Rents too.
Reports say that just in the last three months of 2025, prices increased again by 18%. “Já não dá” (It’s just not working) was the slogan for demonstrations today which saw those taking part recounting the ever increasing difficulties of finding an affordable ‘roof over one’s head’ these days.
“Criticising the impact of financial speculation and tourism, protestors demanded more public housing”, reports SIC – just as they did when these protests began in April three years ago.
The tragedy is that, in spite of measures touted, the situation has not changed.
Casa Para Viver – the platform that came together three years ago – is dismissive of much of the government’s strategy, saying the way forwards involves regulating rents, controlling speculation, reducing short-term holiday lets and putting unused properties onto the rental market.
In an Open Letter to President Seguro this week, Casa Para Viver has asked him to treat the housing crisis as “a national emergency”- something that chimes very much with the overall European outlook, albeit it may now have a great deal more to concentrate its energies on.
Source: SIC
