Huge blow for tourists in Majorca as major new restrictions loom | World | News

Holidaymakers jetting off to Majorca next year are being warned that major new restrictions will be in place just in time for the start of the 2026 tourism season. The Balearic Government is looking to introduce a regional limit on vehicles entering all the islands.

Majorca, in particular, has been struggling to deal with the influx of cars. In 2023, 400,000 vehicles arrived at its port—double the number since 2017. Balearic Government representatives and island council presidents will soon meet to examine the implementation. In the holiday hotspot of Majorca, restrictions on the arrival of vehicles and hire cars are likely to be given the green light by the Council of Majorca before the end of this year and then by the Balearic Parliament in the first quarter of 2026.

Therefore, the new laws are scheduled to be in place by the start of the tourism season.

Proposals include a limit on the rental cars allowed on the island at any given time, a one car per driver rule, especially for non-residents who currently own property, and priority access for low-emission or electric vehicles.

Also put forward are special fees imposed on vehicles not taxed in the Balearic Islands, ad registration and tax requirements for non-resident vehicles.

The draft bill for Majorca means individuals and companies who violate the rules could face fines in the thousands.

This means tourists and locals alike could be fined up to €10,000 for falsifying entry credentials whilst car-hire companies could potentailly see fines skyrocket to €30,000 for failure to report the registration numbers of all vehicles transported to Majorca. 

Other penalties contemplate immobilisation of vehicles for up to four months and the withdrawal of the authorisation to be on the roads, preventing a company from obtaining a new one for a period of two years.

The People’s Party of the Balearic Islands (Partido Popular as they are known in Spanish) is the party requesting wanting to introduce the new measure. However, Vox, a far-right party, rejects the proposals for the limits.

This means Partido Popular will need the support of the opposition PSOE and Més in order to see the measure’s approved.