Portugal’s government has approved a new reform intended to speed up the eviction process for tenants who do not pay their rent, as part of its efforts to address the growing housing crisis. The reform, which has passed its first reading in parliament, allows landlords to begin eviction proceedings after just two months of non-payment, a reduction from the current three-month period. It also lets landlords request up to three months of rent in advance and removes the limit on security deposits that tenants can be asked to pay. The proposal was passed despite opposition from left-wing political parties, and the far-right Chega party chose not to vote on it. Chega has since reached an agreement with the prime minister's party to make changes to the reform before it is finalized. According to recent official data, the median rent for new rental contracts in Portugal rose by more than 10% in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. The reform is part of a broader government strategy to tackle the housing crisis, which also includes offering tax advantages to renters and imposing stricter rules on real estate purchases by foreign investors. Tenant advocacy groups have criticized the reform, saying it could make it even harder for people who rent their homes to remain stable. In Spain, a similar situation sparked public anger when an 87-year-old woman was evicted from her home in Madrid. Her property had been bought by a real estate company that wanted to increase the rent by 275%. The incident led to protests in several Spanish cities, including Madrid. The socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is trying to pass its own measures to address the housing crisis. The housing challenges in both Portugal and Spain highlight the broader issue of rising rents and the difficulties faced by renters in the region. While Portugal's government believes the new reform will help stabilize the housing market, critics argue it may disproportionately affect vulnerable tenants. The debate over housing policy continues to be a significant political and social issue in both countries.