Evictions in Portugal Rise to 130 Per Month in First Half of 2025
An average of 130 tenants were evicted per month in Portugal during the first half of 2025, according to official data from the Ministry of Justice. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the monthly averages recorded for the full years of 2024 and 2023, which stood at 83 and 89, respectively. The statistics, first reported by Jornal de Notícias, highlight a growing trend in the termination of rental contracts across the country.
The data provides a geographic breakdown of where these legal actions are most concentrated. The district of Lisbon recorded the highest number of evictions with a total of 326 in the six-month period. Following Lisbon, the district of Porto registered 131 evictions, and Setúbal saw 96. These three districts, which are among the country's most populous and economically active, account for the majority of the eviction procedures.
The primary legal justification cited for the evictions is the failure to pay rent. However, tenant rights organizations suggest that other factors are contributing to the trend. Representatives from these associations have pointed to what they describe as mounting pressure from landlords on tenants, particularly elderly individuals who hold long-term contracts with below-market rents. According to these groups, some property owners are actively seeking to vacate these properties in order to capitalize on the current high-demand rental market.
José Martins, a lawyer and president of the Association of Tenants and Condóminos of Northern Portugal (AICNP), stated that the pursuit of higher profits is a key motivator. “Onde há mais gula é nas situações em que as pessoas têm um arrendamento garantido e pagam rendas baixas” (“The greatest greed is in situations where people have a guaranteed lease and pay low rents”), he commented. Similarly, António Machado, the secretary-general of the Lisbon Tenants' Association (AIL), described “enormous pressure for people to leave their homes,” alleging that this can involve non-renewal of contracts and other forms of harassment.
Further analysis of the data shows that while the number of completed evictions has risen, the number of new cases being filed has slightly decreased. In the period from January to May 2025, a total of 1,107 new special eviction procedures were initiated at the national Tenant and Landlord Desk (BAS), which is a 6% reduction compared to the same period in the previous year. However, during that same timeframe, authorities issued 659 final repossession orders, an increase of 14% year-over-year. This suggests that a backlog of cases may be clearing, contributing to the higher number of executed evictions this year. The situation reflects the ongoing tensions and transformations within Portugal's housing sector. Stay informed on Lisbon property market developments at realestate-lisbon.com.
