Portugal shields seniors from rent changes under new urban lease regime

The Portuguese Council of Ministers approved amendments to the urban lease system that exempt seniors over 65 with rental contracts signed before 1990 from the transition to the new Urban Rental Regime (NRAU). While younger tenants with pre‑1990 contracts will be moved to the new regime, their rent will remain unchanged for five years, after which they will receive priority social assistance. The policy aims to protect older renters from abrupt rent increases while extending social safeguards to other households with low incomes.

The measures were adopted on 10 July 2026 and set an income threshold of €64,400 for families subject to the transition, regardless of age. The five‑year rent freeze and subsequent social response are intended to mitigate the impact of the forced shift to the new regime.