There are so many strikes and protests in Portugal this November that we have put together a separate calendar to help you plan ahead. It is worth organizing your schedule around these dates, as you may find yourself unable to work and having to stay home with the kids.
Monday, November 2 (today). Public sector workers are on strike until 11:59 p.m. The strike was called by STTS, the National Union of Public Service Workers, which is demanding a daily meal allowance of €10.20 and more staff.
Saturday, November 14. Marches for affordable housing. In Lisbon, the gathering is at 3 p.m. at Alameda D. Afonso Henriques; in Porto, at 3 p.m. at Praça do Marquês. Demonstrations will also take place in other cities. Schools are closed on Saturdays anyway, so the main thing to prepare for is road closures.
Friday, November 20. The big one this month. Frente Comum (Common Front), an alliance of public sector unions, has called a nationwide strike. Schools and kindergartens may not open: they are not required to maintain minimum staffing levels, and sometimes all it takes is for the cook and the security guard to be absent. Arrange to work from home or take the day off in advance, before your colleagues beat you to it. Check with your school the day before to find out whether it will be open. It is also best to reschedule any routine appointments at your local health centre (centro de saúde) or the Social Security office (Segurança Social).
Saturday, November 21. A demonstration by CGTP, the country’s largest trade union confederation, in Lisbon. The time and route have not yet been announced.
Tuesday, November 24. Parliament is due to hold its final vote on the 2027 state budget, and CGTP plans to gather outside the building. If you need to go to the São Bento area that day, leave early.
What stays open. Hospital emergency departments (urgências) remain open around the clock, even on strike days, although they may be operating with reduced staff.
Demonstrations in Portugal are generally peaceful. The main disruption tends to be for anyone trying to drive through the city centre.
