Tents fill Lisbon square as protesters highlight Portugal’s housing crisis

Updated: 19/10/2026 - 15:38 GMT+2 Protesters camped overnight in central Lisbon over the weekend to denounce Portugal’s housing crisis, as soaring rents leave many struggling to afford accommodation. Protesters pitched tents in Lisbon’s Rossio Square over the weekend to draw attention to Portugal’s housing crisis and demand government action. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Demonstrators spent the night in the square, with some expressing concern about a possible police eviction while vowing to continue their campaign. Students and other protesters said rising rents were making housing increasingly unaffordable. Ivan Silva, a 49-year-old handyman earning around €1,000 a month, said he rented a 20-square-metre flat for €180 in 2015. Today, he said, that amount would not even be enough to rent a mattress.