Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Thousands protest in Lisbon over housing and rising living costs
Thousands of people marched through Lisbon against rising costs on Saturday, with protests also reported in Porto and Coimbra.
Portugal’s main union, CGTP, called the march, while housing activists set up tents in central Lisbon to protest the difficulty of finding affordable homes.
The demonstrations put pressure on the centre-right government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro as lawmakers debate the 2027 state budget.
Protesters say low wages are not keeping up with rent and everyday expenses.
House prices in Portugal have more than doubled since 2017, and rents for new leases have nearly doubled.
CGTP is seeking a 15% general wage rise, a minimum wage of €1,100 and better pensions and public services.
The union plans another march on November 24, the date set for the budget’s final vote, while the government says measures to address people’s concerns are already being rolled out.
Thousands of people marched in central Lisbon on Saturday, October 17, to protest rising living costs and Portugal’s housing crisis.
The CGTP union called the rally, demanding higher wages and pensions and changes to government economic policies.
Housing activists also set up dozens of tents in Lisbon’s Rossio square, while protests took place in Porto and Coimbra.
The CGTP called for a 15% general wage increase, with a minimum monthly rise of €150, and a €1,100 national minimum wage.
The protests added pressure on Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s centre-right government as it debated the 2027 state budget.
- Who
- Thousands of protesters, including people mobilized by the CGTP union and housing activists.
- What
- They protested rising living costs and housing difficulties, and called for higher wages and pensions and changes to government policies.
- When
- Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Where
- Lisbon, including the route from Cais do Sodré to Rossio square; protests also took place in Porto and Coimbra.
- Why
- Protesters cited high housing and essential-goods costs, low wages and declining purchasing power.
Protesters and CGTP
Portuguese government
Economic policy
Protesters and CGTP
The CGTP says the 2027 budget harms workers and benefits large economic groups.
Portuguese government
The government says measures to address public concerns are already being rolled out.
Cost of living
Protesters and CGTP
Protesters demand higher wages and pensions to counter rising costs.
Portuguese government
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos Abreu Amorim said the government would not yield to street protests.
Housing
Protesters and CGTP
Housing activists demand action over the housing crisis and high rents.
Portuguese government
Not stated
Police cleared a housing-activist tent camp in Porto in a pre-dawn operation.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos Abreu Amorim said the government would not yield to street protests and that measures were being rolled out.
Thousands marched in Lisbon, while housing activists set up tents in Rossio square; protests also took place in Porto and Coimbra.
The CGTP announced a new demonstration outside Portugal’s parliament, coinciding with the planned final vote on the 2027 budget.
- Crowd estimate
- CGTP said “many tens of thousands”; police gave no estimate
- Inflation
- 3.6% in September
- House prices
- More than doubled since 2017
- CGTP wage demand
- 15% general increase, with a minimum monthly rise of €150
- National minimum wage demand
- €1,100
- Next CGTP demonstration
- November 24, outside Portugal’s parliament
3 sources
What people are saying
Right now, housing in Lisbon is the problem
government will not yield to shouts from the street
Life is incredibly expensive… it's going up brutally. I need to see how my mortgage is going to turn out in the coming months, when it's adjusted. I'm very worried
The 2027 state budget harms workers and favours large economic groups