Housing crisis sparks protests across Europe
The article addresses the escalating housing crisis in Europe, where sharp increases in house prices and rents have led to widespread protests in Spain and Portugal. Property prices in the European Union rose by 63.6% between 2015 and 2025, alongside a 21.1% rise in rents, making housing affordability a significant barrier for young people and low-income families. Portugal has seen protests demolishing camps in Lisbon and Porto, protesting rental laws that permit quicker evictions and reduce caps on rent hikes. Meanwhile, the eviction of an elderly woman in Spain sparked widespread anger and calls for greater tenant protections. The crisis is also fueled by a shortage of available homes, especially in high-demand areas, where construction permits haven't kept pace with the increasing number of households. The social housing stock remains a small fraction of the total, intensifying pressures on tenants. Governments are adopting various measures—such as tenant protections and increased housing funding—but remain unable to sufficiently address the supply deficit or curb market costs. As a result, protests and social tensions over the right to housing persist across Europe.
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