# Porto and Lisbon housing rights protests > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/porto-housing-rights-protests > Updated: 2026-10-26T22:56:05.000Z. Sources: 73. Developments: 4. Protests regarding housing affordability and the cost of living in Porto and Lisbon escalated following police operations to dismantle encampments. On October 12, authorities removed approximately 60 tents in Porto’s Praça D. João I, citing illegal occupation. A subsequent police intervention on October 15 resulted in significant injuries, with organizers reporting between 37 and 39 people wounded. Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte defended the authorities, stating he had promised to be ‘absolutely implacable’ regarding the occupation of the square. This incident triggered an administrative investigation by the Inspectorate-General of Internal Administration (IGAI) and a public petition calling for the Mayor’s resignation. On October 20, police operations targeted camps in both cities. In Lisbon’s Rossio Square (Praça D. Pedro IV), authorities removed approximately 200 tents. Protesters formed human chains to resist the removal, leading to clashes where police used batons. This intervention resulted in 55 detentions and two reported minor injuries, with some activists accusing officers of using excessive force. Activists described the police action as ‘very aggressive,’ while the Public Security Police (PSP) maintained the operation was ‘calm, proportionate, and adequate’ to restore legality. Recent reports indicate broader tensions as the PSP used batons and dogs to disperse demonstrators in Lisbon, resulting in 33 injuries and 33 arrests for disobedience. Amidst these clashes, the Portuguese Association of Sociology (APS) criticized the crisis as a result of political choices, noting that Eurostat data shows a 180% increase in housing prices between late 2015 and 2025. ## Claims - Police also intervened to dismantle the housing protest camp in Porto. (disputed by 14 sources) - The police operation in Porto resulted in protesters dismantling their own tents after being warned. (disputed by 3 sources) - Protest spokesperson Priscila Valadão reported that 55 protesters were detained in Lisbon. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The police intervention caused between 37 and 39 injuries, including two people with serious fractures. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The housing crisis in Portugal is driven by high rental costs and real estate investment. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Protesters in Lisbon formed a human chain to delay the police intervention. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte stated he would be ‘absolutely implacable’ regarding the placement of tents in Praça D. João I. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Chega proposes either direct support for families with an effort rate exceeding 60% or allowing rent deductions in IRS tax filings. (corroborated by 6 sources) - One police officer was injured during the course of the incidents. (corroborated by 5 sources) - A petition with over 1,300 signatures demands the resignation of Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The housing movement's demands include rent caps, an end to evictions, and more public housing. (corroborated by 5 sources) - André Ventura proposed an emergency legislative package to address the housing crisis in Portugal. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Portugal housing crisis sparks protests and police intervention Housing protests in Lisbon and Porto led to police intervention, resulting in 33 injuries and 33 arrests, amid rising costs and criticism from sociologists regarding political management of the crisis. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-housing-crisis-sparks-protests-and-police-intervention ### 2026-10-18: Portugal housing crisis sparks protests and police evictions Police cleared housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto, resulting in 55 arrests amid a national housing crisis and calls for an Iberian general strike. 63 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-police-threaten-intervention-against-housing-protest-camps ### 2026-10-14: Porto police intervention in housing protest leaves dozens injured A police operation to clear a housing protest camp in Porto has left dozens injured, sparking investigations and calls for the Mayor's resignation amid accusations of excessive force. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/porto-police-intervention-leaves-dozens-injured-during-housing-protest ### 2026-10-12: Porto housing rights protesters decide to camp overnight Housing rights protesters in Porto have decided to camp overnight in Praça de D. João I after police removed their tents earlier today due to unauthorized occupation of public space. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/porto-housing-rights-protesters-decide-to-camp-overnight --- Cite as: Porto and Lisbon housing rights protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/porto-housing-rights-protests