Thousands march in Lisbon demanding housing rights

Thousands of people marched through Lisbon on Saturday, 24 October 2026, demanding the right to housing under the slogan “a job and a home to live.” The demonstration, led by the Lisbon Housing Camp, moved from Marquês de Pombal to Rossio’s D. Pedro IV Square.

The protest was organized by a popular assembly on Wednesday night, one week after a CGTP demonstration and the start of the encampment. Several groups, movements, and parties joined the march, including Left Bloc and Livre, which carried their own flags.

““I am not here for myself. I am here for the future generation, which is moving very slowly.””

Alfredo Fernandes, a 98-year-old Lisbon resident, walked at the front holding a Portuguese flag. He said he marched not for himself but for future generations, adding that he wanted to “enhance the demonstrations.”

Protesters demanded rent freezes and caps, an immediate end to evictions without alternative housing, and more public housing. Chants targeted Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, with one slogan warning that his houses would become occupations.

Cristina Mega, a 64-year-old therapist from Moscavide, said her 32-year-old son still lives with her because of the housing crisis. She noted that rent in Moscavide costs at least 1,200 euros and that her older son also struggles to find a home.

Police warned about civil disobedience as tents were set up at the end of the march. The demonstration followed two weeks of protests that began in Porto.