It was introduced over fears that Portugal’s popularity as a tourist, second home and relocation destination was putting pressure on rents and house prices and forcing out traditional communities while making it impossible for young local families to rent or get a foot on the housing ladder in Lisbon and Porto.

The President signed the Lei de Bases da Habitação (Basic Housing Law) on Tuesday with doubts over “achieving the high expectations requested” and warned of the “excessive amount of stipulations” in the bill.

“Despite doubts as to possibly achieving the high expectations laid out and over the excessive stipulations and conditions for a framework law, the President has signed the bill which brings the law into force,” states the announcement.

The Basic Housing Law emphasises the “social function” of housing with the goals of eradicating homelessness, prioritising the use of public real estate for affordable housing, and banning tenant evictions across Lisbon.

Copyright: essential-business.pt