Dozens of Portuguese police officers, some with dogs, stormed housing protest camps in Lisbon’s Rossio Square and Porto’s Dom Joao I Square early Sunday morning. The intervention came just a day after thousands marched through Lisbon demanding the government withdraw a rental bill they argue will exacerbate the nation's housing crisis.

The protests highlight widespread anger over soaring housing costs across Europe, with Portugal experiencing one of the continent's most severe affordability crises. Young people are particularly affected, as house prices have more than doubled since 2017 and rents on new leases have nearly doubled.

In Lisbon, protesters had erected over 50 tents following Saturday's demonstration. Police Commander Iuri Rodrigues issued three warnings for the tents to be removed, citing their illegal erection, and stated that resistance could lead to disobedience charges. Hundreds of demonstrators shielding the camp were dispersed by police using shields and batons.

Lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves criticized the intervention, stating that the square had been peaceful and that no justification existed for the "police intervention involving force, physical violence or baton charges." Similar operations the previous Sunday resulted in 25 arrests in Lisbon and six in Porto, with the housing campaign group Casa para Viver reporting 60 injuries, which police deemed "proportionate."

Demonstrators are demanding the minority centre-right government scrap legislation that would simplify evictions and remove rent caps on new leases. They contend these measures will worsen affordability and leave tenants more vulnerable.

The Bank of Portugal estimates a national shortage of 300,000 homes, a figure equivalent to Lisbon's entire housing stock. This scarcity fuels the growing discontent among citizens struggling to find affordable accommodation.

The protests in Portugal echo similar movements across Europe, including demonstrations in Spain and opposition to economic policies in France, Germany, and Albania. These events underscore a broader trend of public frustration with economic conditions and government responses to cost-of-living challenges.

Unresolved questions remain regarding the government's next steps in addressing the housing crisis and the potential for further escalation of protests as the rental bill moves forward.