Hundreds of Students Protest in Lisbon Against Tuition Fee Hikes - Government Faces Backlash

Students Take to the Streets

Hundreds of higher education students took to the streets of Lisbon on Tuesday, demanding the end of tuition fees and stronger social support. The protest, organized by the Movimento Associativo Estudantil (Student Associative Movement), began in the afternoon at Rossio and marched towards the Assembly of the Republic, where the State Budget proposal for 2026 was being voted on.

Key Demands and Criticisms

Under the slogan "No one left behind! Gratuity now!", students from across the country voiced their opposition to the government's plan to unfreeze tuition fees in 2026. This marks the first increase in undergraduate tuition fees in ten years and includes the removal of caps on master's degree fees. Protesters carried signs with messages like "Tuition fees are to end, not to increase", "Scholarships yes, tuition fees no", and "Increase everything, increase the fight".

In a statement, the Movimento Associativo Estudantil accused the government of taking "another step towards the elitization of higher education" through the fee hikes. They highlighted that this comes in a year when historically low numbers of students were placed in higher education, exacerbating concerns about accessibility.

Broader Implications

The protest underscores growing discontent with education policies, as students and activists call for immediate action to ensure education remains affordable and inclusive. The timing, coinciding with the budget vote, amplifies the pressure on lawmakers to reconsider the proposed changes.