The house that the country does not have

Portugal faces a housing crisis characterized by rising rents and stagnant construction. The country built over 100,000 homes annually at the start of the century, but only 26,000 in 2025. Despite a surge in new residents, the housing supply has not kept pace, leading to significant affordability issues. Young people are leaving their parental homes later, and homeownership is increasingly out of reach. The government has historically neglected public housing and failed to address the root causes of the crisis. Proposed solutions include increasing housing supply, ensuring tenant protections, and enhancing public housing. The housing issue is expected to dominate Portuguese politics in the coming decade, requiring decisive action rather than temporary fixes.