Portugal’s housing protesters reoccupy Rossio square after legal win
After a Lisbon court ruled that a curfew on protests was not absolute, housing activists resumed camping in Rossio square, Lisbon, demanding government action amid Portugal's housing crisis. The protest camp was lighter on police presence, and talks with the president were accepted by protesters.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-11-03
Housing protesters returned to Lisbon’s Rossio square on Tuesday night following a court ruling that allowed activist Renata Cambra to keep her tent overnight and protest until the November 24 budget vote.
More than a hundred people joined the popular assembly organized by Acampada de Lisboa, pitching tents, hanging banners, and demanding action on Portugal’s housing crisis. By early Wednesday, about 80 tents dotted Rossio, with an additional 20 tents set up in Porto’s Praça D. João I.
The court ruling clarified that the 12:30 am protest curfew was not “absolute and automatic,” but it applied only to Cambra and did not grant others the right to camp overnight.
The renewed protest camp saw a much lighter police presence, with only a few officers visible, some wearing carnations.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro addressed the nation on Tuesday, stating there was “no reason” to import violent protest models and invited opposition leaders to submit housing proposals by Thursday.
Meanwhile, Acampada members voted to accept an invitation from President António José Seguro for talks, although no date has been set yet.