Thousands of people took to the streets across Portugal on September 28, 2024, to protest against soaring house prices and rental costs. Demonstrators expressed their frustration over being priced out of the housing market, calling for urgent government action to address the ongoing housing crisis.

The roots of Portugal’s housing crisis can be traced back to a long-standing shortage of affordable and social housing. This situation has been exacerbated by the arrival of wealthy foreigners attracted by tax incentives, which has driven up property prices and rents.

The tourism boom has also contributed significantly to the problem, with many properties being converted into short-term holiday rentals, further limiting availability for local residents.

Activists from the right to housing movement, Porta a Porta, emphasized that the crisis is not a temporary issue but rather a chronic and structural problem. They urged the government to prioritize the needs of residents over profit-driven interests.