It’s no secret that Spain is popular with tourists. Alongside the Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol, one of the country’s most sought-after destinations is the Balearic Islands.
The archipelago, which includes Menorca, Majorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera, saw 18.7 million visitors arrive in 2024 – a five percent increase compared to the previous year. Though more than half the islands’ GDP comes from tourism, major new measures to curb crowds have just been announced.
Last week, a new set of ‘tourism containment measures’ were outlined, which includes an ‘eco-tax’ that will rise from the current €4 limit to a maximum of €6 per person in peak summer months. The aim is to cover the cost of environmental projects (though this still needs approval from the regional parliament).
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From March to December, the tax will be applied at four different rates, meaning the cost of a two-week long stay for a couple in Majorca, Menorca or Ibiza will rise by €56 during peak season, according to the Telegraph. It’s worth noting that under-16s are exempt, and the tax won’t be applied in January or February.
As for cruise passengers in June, July and August, that eco-tax will triple from €2 to €6 each night. Hire cars and vehicles arriving on the islands from elsewhere will also be subject to a levy, though the islands’ Baleval car rental association said that this new measure will fail to decongest roads, which experience frequent traffic jams in the summer months.
There are also plans to amp up fines for platforms that advertise unlicensed holiday rentals, with offenders paying upto a whopping €500,000, as well as a ban on short-term rental flats in residential buildings. Margalinda Prohens, the Balearic Islands’ president, also refused to rule out a numerical cap on tourist numbers.
So, what’s behind this sweep of new measures? Well, as with lots of other overtourism restrictions across Europe, it’s about protecting the livelihood of the locals. Housing platform Fotocasa conducted a study and found that in the last 10 years, rent has risen from €562 to €1,451, and in 2024, protests against the spread of tourism were held across Spain.
Watch this space for more updates, and have a read of our deep-dive into whether European destinations can ever really recover from overtourism, plus our guide on how to be more responsible when you’re on holiday.
More on restrictions in the Balearic Islands
Over the last few months, measures such as a ‘residents-only parking zone’, fines on inappropriate dress and even a ban on alcohol have been implemented across the Balearics. Keep an eye on our Travel news page for all the latest stories.
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