[REVISION HISTORY]

Balearic Islands housing and tourism regulation debate

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2026-10-21 02:22 UTC → 2026-10-22 14:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The housing crisis in the Balearic Islands has intensified political friction regarding construction and eviction policies. Toni Gili, Vox spokesperson for the Consell de Mallorca, has argued that the housing deficit may reach 30,000 units, far exceeding the official estimate of 17,000. To address this, Gili proposed increasing land availability, accelerating licensing, and reducing tax and bureaucratic pressures. Conversely, alternative proposals advocate for a public construction company to build and rent housing independently of private real estate interests. During a recent parliamentary control session, tensions escalated between President Marga Prohens and opposition groups, including PSIB and Més. PSIB spokesperson Iago Negueruela questioned whether citizens or ‘vulture funds’ hold more rights, highlighting the case of Pilar López, a 65-year-old woman who lived in her car following an eviction. Prohens denied meeting with investment funds and blamed central government legislation for the issue, stating, “Evictions are lamentable and occur because their laws allow it.” The Balearic Government is considering challenging new Spanish housing decrees in the Constitutional Court, labeling the measures an ‘abuse of law’ and a ‘fraud against democracy.’ In response to regional pressures, ~~President~~ Prohens has proposed a new policy to prioritize local residents for newly constructed housing, suggesting that legal residency in the Balearic Islands should grant priority access by law. She also emphasized the need for institutional responses to the islands' rapid demographic growth and their role as a significant migratory route in Europe. housing. To manage tourism and housing overlap, hotel associations ~~(FEHM, FEHIF, and ASHOME)~~ have proposed using the Property Registry to regulate short-term rentals. ~~This would require owners~~ Recent developments show the government targeting essential workers; President Prohens announced initiatives in Ibiza and Formentera to ~~certify property legitimacy~~ provide housing for healthcare professionals and teachers to aid recruitment and retention. Meanwhile, during commemorations for the ~~absence~~ Day of ~~statutory prohibitions to improve control over illegal offers. Regarding second-home restrictions, Prohens has drawn a “red line,” stating~~ Homeless People, activists and religious leaders in Ibiza and Palma called for increased institutional support, noting that ~~any future EU-led legal frameworks must not negatively impact local families.~~ market prices have made rentals unaffordable for those with standard salaries.

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