The France protest, which began as student protests over school conditions and rising living costs, remains the epicentre of Europe’s latest wave of unrest.
The protest exploded into one of the country’s worst episodes of street violence in years on October 17. Hundreds of thousands marched nationwide. In multiple cities, the demonstrations escalated into riots involving looting, arson, and clashes with police.
The government has since imposed partial curfews in parts of Paris and other cities, admitted security failures, and announced it will deploy troops alongside police for further protests planned for Saturday, October 24. 
With more than 2,300 people arrested and nearly 1,000 officers injured, the unrest continues to ruffle the economy and increase pressure on the Macron government.
However, France is not alone. Across Europe and beyond, people are taking to the streets over economic hardship, political frustration, and demands for accountability. Here is a list of countries currently experiencing significant protests.
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5 Other Countries Protesting Like France
1. Italy
Cost-of-living protests in Milan, Turin, Bologna, and other cities began on October 17 and later turned violent.
Masked groups clashed with police, threw stones and fireworks, set barricades on fire, and looted shops, especially in Milan. Dozens of protesters have been arrested as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence while recognising the right to protest.
2. Albania
The protest in Albania started on October 13 and is now in its seventh consecutive day of intense anti-government protests.
Student-led demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. They are citing poor university conditions, high tuition fees, lack of jobs, and corruption. There have been clashes in Tirana involving rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, and burning barricades.
3. Portugal
On October 17, tens of thousands marched in Lisbon and other cities against soaring living costs and a severe housing crisis. The protesters set up tent camps in central locations to demand action on unaffordable rents and property prices.
The Police cleared the tent camps in Lisbon (Rossio Square) and Porto early on Tuesday morning. However, by evening, thousands returned to the streets in Lisbon, Porto and other cities to continue the protest.
4. Belgium
Like the France protests, student and cost-of-living protests in Brussels and Liège began on October 17 and led to confrontations with police. Water cannons and tear gas were used after some demonstrations turned disruptive.
Although the protest has subsided, authorities reported nearly 200 arrests, with some property damage, fires, and injuries. However, underlying tensions over rising tuition fees, education funding cuts, transport costs, and broader austerity measures persist.
5. Spain
Like in Portugal, housing affordability remains the central issue in Spain.
Protesters have occupied public squares, including Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, demanding solutions to skyrocketing rents and a shortage of affordable homes.
The tent camp in Puerta del Sol has been one of the main symbols of the movement, which has been going on for nearly four weeks and remains active at a lower intensity.
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