Mallorca is planning to ban car for second home owners - what does that mean?

Mallorca is planning to ban car for second home owners - what does that mean?

Mallorca, Spanien - In Mallorca, a drastic law for second -house owners could soon come into force: the restriction to just one car per property is under discussion. Llorenç Galmés, the President of the Inselrat, presented the plans for such a ban, which is intended to serve to reduce the traffic load on the popular holiday destination. The Initiative stipulates that foreign owners of weekend houses and second apartments can only use one vehicle in the future, provided that it is tax registered in Mallorca. The regulation is discussed in the plenary of the island council before it is presented to the island parliament to vote. Early reports indicate that implementation cannot be expected before 2026. Mainpost reports that ...

In recent years, the number of vehicles that come to Mallorca has exploded. In 2023, over 400,000 cars were brought to the island by ferry, with 71% of these vehicles belonging to the segment of vacationers or second -way owners without their main residence. A significant number of rental cars contribute to traffic overload - more than 75,000 rental vehicles can be traveling at the same time on peak days in August. In view of these figures, the project to limit the number of approved cars is more than urgent. For comparison: In the past five years, the number of vehicles that are brought from abroad to Mallorca have increased by remarkable 108 percent.

The draft law and its goals

The draft law includes several measures to reduce traffic. This includes the introduction of an entry control for cars, similar to how it is already applied to Ibiza. In addition, the island council plans to limit the number of rental car fleets in order to improve the traffic situation sustainably. Violations of the new provisions could be punished with fines between 300 and 30,000 euros. In addition, there could be other drastic measures, such as the collection of vehicles for several months or the withdrawal of driving authorization on the island.

The proposal is part of a larger mobility concept that also results from mood pictures within the island government. The support of the ruling People's Party (PP) for this initiative is clear, but there are tensions with the coalition partner VOX, which rejects the restrictions. This could affect the implementation of the law in its current form.

where does the path lead?

The new traffic restrictions could not only affect the second house owners, but also all tourism in Mallorca. The island council also plans to limit possible access in certain areas in time and to only make them accessible via shuttle buses. Torture points such as Sa Calobra and Port de Sóller are under discussion. While the negotiations are progressing, the authorities recognize the need to significantly expand local public transport and thus reduce the incentive for car trips. Existing considerations for a vehicle limit have not been implemented in the past, but the pressing circumstances are now calling for a rethink. Mallorca Magazin notes that

The planned measures should come into force by summer 2026 if they take the parliamentary hurdles. In the meantime, there is discussions about the best approach to make mobility in Mallorca future -proof. It seems that the ball lies in the field of political decision -makers, and many eyes will be directed towards further development.

So it becomes clear that the Balearic Islands do not treat themselves to peace when it comes to traffic, and Mallorca will soon experience a new traffic policy turn. Mallorca newspaper emphasizes that ...