The proposal is contained in a motion in which the PAN argues that “housing is a fundamental social right”, presenting a set of 13 measures, one of which is the “temporary suspension of the sale of properties to natural or legal persons not resident in Portugal, with the exception of immigrants with residence permits”.
“Today we present a motion that reminds us that the right to housing is a fundamental right and that in present-day Portugal this is not happening”, declared António Morgado Valente, sole deputy of the PAN (People-Animals-Nature) party in the Assembly Lisbon Municipal Council (AML).
In the motion, PAN states that “the increase in tourism, gentrification, low wages in Portugal, real estate speculation and more recently the increase in Euribor have contributed to an escalation in property prices, making housing unaffordable for many people ”.
“Xenophobia”
Regarding the temporary suspension of the sale of properties to non-residents in Portugal, IL deputy Angélique Da Teresa considered that this proposal “is completely unacceptable” and warned that “there should be no xenophobia in property”.
“Let’s stop ideological prejudices against each other and let’s increase the supply [of housing]”, defended the IL deputy.
From the PSD bench, Carlos Reis questioned the assembly board about the admissibility of this proposal, saying that it “is illegal” and suggesting that the PAN withdraw it.
“As a political will, it must be admitted”, pointed out CDS-PP deputy Margarida Penedo.
In response to the warnings, the PAN deputy said that, “for an exceptional situation, there needs to be exceptional measures”, indicating that Canada has taken steps in this direction and considering that this could help solve the problem of real estate speculation.
Great idea. Will crash the market. Speculators will buy at a cheat price and sit on them. Creating a bigger shortage. Pushing prices back up and then they will sell.. Its already an overinflated market. So go for it.
By miss Paula j David from UK on 27 Sep 2023, 15:46
Non-residents account for a small proportion of property sales in Portugal, only 7%, so they are not the cause of higher house prices or the housing shortage. PAN is playing to people's prejudices and jealously by trying to blame non-residents, when this is clearly not the case.
In fact it is government policy that is usually the cause of a housing shortage, by over-regulating and demonising landlords, no-one will want to become or remain one. If government would step back and get out of the way, and leave things to market forces, things would function so much better for everyone.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 27 Sep 2023, 16:03
As a Portuguese citizen and resident, I am ashame to hear the very left bragging ideology they are supposedly against: inequality of rights, anti-freedom, xenophobia, building virtual walls on national borders.
By Andre from Alentejo on 27 Sep 2023, 21:19
It's not because of non-residents prices are going up. It's the building cost. Same constructor gave us a quote in November 2020. Same construction, price is up a whopping 50 %
By Gregory from Lisbon on 28 Sep 2023, 10:25
In my humble opinion, housing shortage can be overcome by, a)reducing the over inflated tax on capital gains tax ( why should I sell my properties, and if I decide to do nothing, have to pay 30% to the leeches after 3 years, b) change rental agreement legislation to be able to evict tenants when they don't pay ( let's not wait 2-3 years for justice system to hear your case , which normally results in landlord being out of pocket anyway)... then again I'm just wishful thinking on both of these points
By Claudio from Other on 28 Sep 2023, 11:07
I can't say I blame them. There are so many houses in the Algarve which remain shuttered and are not rented out or used by the owners even once a year. It does contribute to the shortage of housing in the region and must be infuriating for those who are having a problem finding a home here.
By haroldhhare from Algarve on 28 Sep 2023, 11:40
Is there a way to encourage students to go to vocation training to build needed housing? Possible to have university contests to propose architecture for multi use design? The winners receive a building name, funds, etc.? Vocation training made to build the units could receive per diem, or scholarships, or ? If people are needed to help fill this gap, then incentives for doing this could help.
By Suzanne from Alentejo on 28 Sep 2023, 12:50
Go ahead with this at your peril. We only need to see what has happened in the Balearics and other parts of Spain to know how this will end. It will be bad for the economy and it will be bad for Portugal. The government needs to step up and build or renovate properties for locals (that non-residents cannot buy or rent).
By Paolito from Algarve on 29 Sep 2023, 07:43