Eviction Orders in Portugal Climb 14% Year-on-Year, National Property Owners Association Reports
Official data has revealed a notable increase in eviction orders in Portugal, with 659 issued since the beginning of 2025. This figure represents a 14% rise when compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, signaling growing tensions within the national rental market. The statistics point to an escalation in disputes between landlords and tenants, a situation that market observers are monitoring closely for its potential impact on housing stability and investment sentiment.
In response to these figures, the National Association of Property Owners (Associação Nacional de Proprietários) has stated that the problem of rental defaults is significantly more widespread than the number of formal eviction orders suggests. The association contends that the official statistics do not capture the full scope of rent non-payment, which they claim is "much superior." Many property owners reportedly face arrears but do not proceed with legal action due to the complexity, cost, and duration of the judicial process, indicating a hidden level of financial distress within the sector.
António Frias, the president of the association, elaborated on the issue in a recent press conference. "The official number of eviction orders, while concerning, only reflects the most severe cases where landlords have been forced to take legal recourse. There is a much larger volume of tenants in default where landlords are attempting to find private resolutions or are simply bearing the financial loss. The current legal framework is not providing swift or efficient solutions, which creates a disincentive for property owners to make their assets available on the long-term rental market."
The increase in eviction proceedings is occurring amidst a challenging economic backdrop, with rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures affecting household budgets across the country. These macroeconomic factors are believed to be a primary driver of the increase in rental defaults. The issue is particularly acute in metropolitan areas such as Lisbon and Porto, where rental prices have seen significant appreciation over the past several years. The government has introduced several housing support programs, but stakeholders argue that the scale of the problem requires more comprehensive and balanced interventions.
Legal experts point out that the eviction process in Portugal, while established, can be lengthy, creating a period of uncertainty and income loss for property owners. The rise in formal eviction cases suggests that informal negotiations are increasingly failing to resolve disputes, forcing more cases into the judicial system. This trend has prompted calls from various real estate and landlord associations for a review of the tenancy laws to create a more efficient and equitable system for resolving rental conflicts. The government has acknowledged the housing challenges but has yet to announce specific new measures to address the rising number of evictions.
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