A demonstration for the right to housing takes place today in Funchal. It is part of a national mobilization held at the same time in more than 30 Portuguese cities.
We call on everyone who lives on this island, Madeirans, other Portuguese and international residents alike. Stand together in solidarity with the people of Madeira.
March Begins at 17:00 in Praça do Município Today
The gathering starts at 17:00 in Praça do Município, Funchal's main square. From there, protesters march to the Assembleia Legislativa da Madeira, the regional parliament, where the final rally takes place.
More Than 30 Portuguese Cities Join Today's Mobilization
Today's march is not an isolated event. It is one part of a nationwide mobilization for the right to housing. Demonstrations are held at the same time in more than 30 cities across Portugal.
Madeira is facing an increasingly serious housing crisis. In our view, it is driven by institutional failures, inadequate planning and political priorities. Those priorities keep favouring luxury real estate and large-scale investment over the everyday needs of local communities.
Portugal faces one of Europe's most severe housing affordability challenges. More and more Madeirans are being priced out of their own homeland.
| Country | Change |
|---|---|
| Portugal | +60.8% |
| Netherlands | +34.3% |
| Hungary | +26.5% |
| Czechia | +25.8% |
| Spain | +24.5% |
| EU average | +6.8% |
| Bulgaria | -16.2% |
| Finland | -25.2% |
| Romania | -42.8% |
Portugal's House Price-to-Income Ratio Rose 60.8% Since 2015
That affordability problem shows up clearly in the numbers. According to Eurostat, the ratio of house prices to household income across the EU was 6.8% higher in 2025 than in 2015.
Portugal recorded the largest increase of any EU country over that decade, at 60.8%. The Netherlands followed at 34.3%, then Hungary at 26.5%, Czechia at 25.8% and Spain at 24.5%. Romania moved the opposite way, posting the largest decrease, at -42.8%, followed by Finland at -25.2% and Bulgaria at -16.2%.
Source: ec.europa.eu
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