In recent years, Lisbon’s rapid growth as a prime tourist destination has led to a major housing crisis, with vacation rentals significantly contributing to the problem. The movement to restrict these short-term rentals is gaining momentum as residents struggle to find affordable housing. Activists, including a coalition of groups like Vida Justa and Porta a Porta, are pushing for a referendum that could ultimately ban Airbnb-style vacation rentals in residential buildings.
Lisbon’s housing situation has worsened as the number of properties converted to short-term rentals soared. As of 2020, around 20,000 homes in the city were registered as tourist lets, displacing local residents and driving up rent prices. This phenomenon, known as “touristification,” has led to a sharp decrease in available homes for locals, particularly in central neighborhoods. The social fabric of these areas has been eroded as local businesses have closed or transformed to cater to tourists, leaving many residents feeling disconnected from their own neighborhoods.
The demand for a referendum has been building over the last few years. Activists argue that the city’s current policies, which have favored tourism and real estate speculation, have left long-term residents behind. A proposal to hold a binding referendum in 2025 is now on the table, which could make Lisbon the first city in Portugal to hold a public vote on such a major issue. If the referendum passes, it would mandate the city council to ban both new and existing short-term rentals in residential areas, bringing a drastic change to the city’s rental market.
However, the path to a referendum has been fraught with challenges. The movement, known as the Housing Referendum Movement (MRH), has had to gather significant support from Lisbon’s residents to force the city council to act. After years of petitioning, they recently achieved the necessary signatures to push forward with the process. If successful, the referendum could have far-reaching implications for tourism policy and housing rights across Portugal. Activists are urging for broad public participation, emphasizing that the future of Lisbon’s housing market depends on it.
Despite opposition from powerful real estate interests, the referendum movement is gathering steam, as more residents voice their frustrations about the growing impact of vacation rentals. In a city where the housing crisis has reached a boiling point, the call for change is becoming impossible to ignore
