Latest news and stories about housing policy in government in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Commission has introduced the Affordable Housing Act, a framework designed to provide member states with legal tools and flexibility to address housing shortages, short-term rentals, and vacant properties without mandating specific national policies.
The book '108 voices for housing', launched at the Lisbon Book Fair, features diverse perspectives aimed at elevating the national discourse on housing policy and market challenges.
In compensation, real estate developers will now be part of the council
The PCP refuses to vote on a motion of condolence for the Ukrainian leader, sparking controversy. Also highlighted are Carlos Moedas' harsh criticisms of the Government, the utopia of the food basket, and the new housing solution.
“It is very important to elevate the housing debate,” welcomed Patrícia Gonçalves Costa, who is also the author of one of the 108 texts, highlighting the “plural” and “informed” thinking of the book.
The increase applies until the end of September next year. Furthermore, the Minister of Infrastructure asks that his successor does not reverse current housing measures due to ideological prejudice.
Socialists argue that vacant public buildings suitable for housing should be utilised and criticise the sale of state assets below market price.
The Government's new housing measures are being met with criticism by the Lisbon Tenants' Association (AIL), particularly regarding the aspect that aims to accelerate evictions due to non-payment, the vice-president told Lusa. “We are very critical of the measure and never thought it would have this scope,” stated the AIL vice-president, Luís.
The Government's new housing measures are being met with criticism by the Lisbon Tenants' Association (AIL), particularly regarding the aspect that aims to accelerate evictions due to non-payment, the vice-president told Lusa.
The Lobos win their second Rugby Europe Championship title after defeating Georgia 19-17. Also, the 'Casa para Viver' movement delivers housing demands to the Belém Palace.
The webpage provides a broad overview of current news related to Portugal, covering political developments, economic issues, and sports. Notably, Ventura denies any “misalignment” following his removal from a position at CML and a request from Matias. The government faces criticism over housing policies, with Casa para Viver issuing an open letter about the housing emergency in Belém. Politically, PS Defense Minister Carneiro criticizes the government's perceived incapacity. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is conducting open presidential visits across several cities. In sports, FC Porto continues its pursuit of the league title, and there are notable events in football and other sports. Additionally, international news includes updates on the Middle East, Brazil, and Israel, with specific references to Netanyahu and Iran. Overall, the site offers a comprehensive snapshot of Portugal's political, economic, and sporting landscape, alongside significant international updates.
Two buildings in Lisbon and three plots of land will go to auction on March 31st.
Since July of last year, Loures City Council has demolished 88 homes in the Talude Militar neighbourhood, where 23 other structures are currently protected by an injunction. In response to the Lusa agency, the local authority stated that, as part of inspection actions carried out between 14 July 2025—when it conducted a large-scale intervention in Talude Militar—and last Friday, it demolished what it describes as “88 shanty structures built illegally.” Meanwhile, 23 buildings have been flagged with an injunction, which the council, led by Socialist Ricardo Leão, guarantees it is respecting. However, it notes that it has “observed, in several cases, attempts to expand these constructions” and has taken action against them, albeit “only on elements not protected by the judicial decision.” The demolitions “focused exclusively on extensions or new constructions” made after the notification of the court order, the council asserts. Regarding support for evicted families, only one household currently maintains “regular social monitoring by municipal services,” the council mentions, adding that 24 families have found housing solutions to date, having benefited from financial support for security deposits and first month's rent. “The remaining families occasionally resort to social services when they need specific support, having shown no interest in continuous monitoring, namely in the process of searching for alternative housing or autonomy actions,” it clarifies. Municipal services also provided food vouchers to 14 families. Loures City Council has been regularly demolishing self-built homes in various neighbourhoods across the municipality. To criticism from residents and associations complaining about a lack of housing alternatives, the council has responded that it will not allow the “proliferation of shanties in the municipality,” guaranteeing that “whenever new illegal constructions are identified, the intervention will be immediate and determined.” This “stance of total intransigence regarding illegal land occupation” has been affirmed and reiterated by Ricardo Leão, who was elected for a second term.
Carlos Moedas justified the proposal, emphasising that “many councils, after June, are left with either national support or their own capital, but they do not have the capacity for such large amounts”.
The president of Lisbon City Council today called for a Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) dedicated solely to housing, emphasising that the programme in force until June 2026 is not sufficient to resolve the current crisis.
The housing package sent by the Government to parliament is “insufficient” if it does not address “past mistakes” such as the Additional IMI (AIMI) and the freezing of rents prior to 1990, says the director of the Lisbon Landlords Association (ALP). “For ALP, the 'red lines' are the Additional IMI tax and the frozen rents,” ...
Among the measures in the new legislative package for housing, the Government proposes a tax benefit to reduce the VAT on construction or rehabilitation of homes from the current 23% to 6% if the projects are sold or rented at 'moderate prices' within two years of the issuance of the usage license. The use ...
