Portuguese Tenants Among the Most Vulnerable in Europe

Manuel César Machado, Associate at Dower Law Firm, was featured in a report by Jornal de Notícias on proposed changes to Portugal’s urban rental legislation, landlords’ rights, and tenant protection in comparison with the legal frameworks of other European countries.

On 8 November 2026, Jornal de Notícias published a report entitled “Portuguese Tenants Among the Least Protected in Europe”, examining the evolution of rental legislation in Portugal and the challenges facing the housing market.

The report explores proposed amendments to the urban tenancy framework, particularly regarding rent adjustments, contractual freedom, and tenant protection mechanisms, drawing comparisons with legislation in force in other European countries, including Spain, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Changes to Rental Legislation and Tenant Protection

The debate surrounding changes to urban rental legislation highlights the need to strike a balance between landlords’ rights and tenant protection.

As part of the report, Manuel César Machado discussed the objectives of the proposed legislative changes and their implications for landlord-tenant relationships.

“The aim of the legislation is to restore landlords’ confidence by giving them greater freedom to negotiate new rental agreements. It is less restrictive than previous legislation and does not impose specific tenant protection measures, unlike the legal frameworks in countries such as Spain and Germany, where rents cannot exceed certain reference values.”

His analysis highlights the differences between the Portuguese approach and the legal frameworks of other European countries, particularly regarding freedom of contract in rental agreements and the existence of rent control mechanisms.

This debate is particularly relevant in a context marked by difficulties in accessing housing, rising rental prices, and the need to ensure stability and legal certainty in landlord-tenant relationships.

Source: Jornal de Notícias, 8 November 2026 edition, pages 24–25.