World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Police clear housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto, arresting 55
Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto before dawn on Tuesday, October 20.
The camps were set up in central squares by people protesting soaring housing costs in Portugal.
In Lisbon, activists had occupied Rossio square since Saturday with about 200 tents; in Porto, protesters had camped in Dom João I square for around 10 days.
Police said they detained 55 people who refused to leave and treated two minor injuries; protesters disputed the authorities’ account of how the operation unfolded.
Housing has become increasingly unaffordable, with purchase prices more than doubling since 2017 and rents for new leases nearly doubling.
Protesters want the government to withdraw a bill that would make evictions easier and end rent caps on new leases.
Some demonstrators said they would try to set up the camp again, while Porto’s mayor said concerns could be heard through peaceful and legal protests.
Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto before dawn on October 20 and arrested 55 people.
The demonstrations opposed rising housing costs and proposed changes to rental rules.
Activists had occupied Lisbon’s Rossio square since Saturday, while the Porto camp had been in place for around 10 days.
Police said the camps were no longer legal and that people were detained for refusing to leave voluntarily.
The protesters said they would try to resume the demonstrations.
- Who
- Portuguese police, housing protesters and activists in Lisbon and Porto.
- What
- Police cleared protest camps and arrested 55 people.
- When
- Before dawn on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Rossio square in Lisbon and Dom Joao I square in Porto, Portugal.
- Why
- Protesters opposed rising housing costs and proposed rental reforms they said would make evictions easier.
Housing protesters
Portuguese police
Legality of the camps
Housing protesters
Protesters occupied the squares to demonstrate against the housing crisis.
Portuguese police
Police said the gatherings were no longer legal and warned protesters to leave.
Police operation
Housing protesters
Lisbon camp spokesperson Carla Valadao called the operation very aggressive.
Portuguese police
Police superintendent Sergio Soares said the eviction was calm, proportionate and appropriate, with no police charge.
Rental reforms
Housing protesters
Protesters oppose reforms they say will make evictions easier and end rent caps on new leases.
Portuguese police
The sources do not state the government’s view of the protesters’ claims.
Activists began occupying Lisbon’s Rossio square and set up dozens of tents.
Protesters set up a camp at Porto’s Dom Joao I square.
Police began coordinated operations in Lisbon and Porto, clearing the Lisbon camp as Porto protesters dismantled their tents.
Police said 55 people had been detained; protesters said some 30 demonstrators were injured and arrested.
- Arrests
- 55 people
- Lisbon camp
- Rossio square; occupied since Saturday
- Porto camp
- Dom Joao I square; occupied for around 10 days
- Police seizure
- 228 camping structures, according to Le Monde EN
- Portugal housing costs
- Purchase prices more than doubled since 2017; rents for new leases nearly doubled
4 sources
What people are saying
very aggressive
calm, proportionate and appropriate, with no police charge
concerns over housing would continue to be heard as long as demonstrations remained peaceful and legal
The individuals taken into custody were brought to police facilities and will be brought before the competent judicial authority as soon as possible