All the representative parties, except Vox, agree on restricting the arrival of vehicles from the mainland in summer, with differences lying in the timing and severity of the restrictions. In Ibiza, the regulation comes into force for the first time on 1 June, while in Formentera, where it was introduced in 2019, an annual reduction of 4% of the vehicle ceiling has been applied.
Under the name Formentera.eco and the umbrella of the Formentera Tourism Sustainability Law, approved that year by the Balearic Parliament, the smaller of the Pitiusa Islands began with a maximum of 11,620 authorised foreign vehicles. For 2025, it has set a ceiling of 10,287 vehicles for visitors, including cars and motorcycles belonging to tourists, rental vehicles and vehicles belonging to residents of Ibiza.
The fees are €6 per day for cars and €3 for motorcycles in June and September, and €9 per day for cars and €4.5 for motorcycles in July and August. The regulation on the neighbouring island has served as an example for the Ibiza Council in promoting its own law to control the influx of vehicles, approved last November, which highlights, with data from 2023, that the island’s road network suffers from 23.6% overload during the peak tourist season.
A maximum quota of 20,168 foreign cars has been set for circulation between 1 June and 30 September, of which 16,000 will be rental cars and 4,108 will be tourist cars. Unlike Formentera, Ibiza does not include motorcycles in its regulations, applies a special requirement for caravans and motorhomes to have a reservation at a campsite and has set the fees at £1 per day.
The Regional Minister for Territory, Mariano Juan (PP), has pointed out that Ibiza is currently the largest island territory in the European Union to apply regulations of this kind. The Council of Mallorca will soon publish the draft of the future law that will regulate the entry of vehicles and will probably apply its restrictions from the summer of 2026.
Its president, Llorenç Galmés, has announced that, on an annual or biennial basis, a maximum number of vehicles will be set and preference will be given to electric and non-polluting vehicles.
Non-residents who own a home on the island will be able to drive one vehicle, provided that it is registered for tax purposes on the island. In 2023, almost 400,000 vehicles arrived in Mallorca via the ports of Palma and Alcudia, 108% more than in 2017. Galmés has already held meetings with the main sectors affected and has the support of transport companies and most car rental associations.
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Can they restrict the number of cyclists too?
The changes proposed by the Balearic authorities to charge foreigners with cars a daily road toll violate a number of regulations of EU law. It suffices to cite Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights , which guarantees equality regardless of origin. In this case , every car owner should pay the amount of the tax for driving on Mallorca's roads. The authors of the legislative proposals forget that Majorcans also drive on the roads of other EU countries and do not pay taxes there either (except for lorries and specialised vehicles). The second aspect is that the Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees freedom of movement and circulation for all EU residents throughout the territory of the Community. Thus, in order to ensure that the supplementation of local law does not violate these provisions, all road users should be charged this tax . On another note, it puzzles me who is actually lobbying for these controversial regulations. Perhaps it is the owners of car hire companies who want to increase their profits, or perhaps it is local populists who are blaming foreigners to cover up their political ineptitude, or perhaps it is organised action initiated by Russia, whose overriding aim is to destroy the unity of the European Union. I personally live in the north of Mallorca and I do not go where there is excessive traffic. I don't push myself to Soller in high season . I visit Palma at times when there is no traffic or I just take the bus. Mallorca has a very good bus service which most people coming from abroad don't know about. It would certainly help to relieve traffic if this means of transport could be popularised among tourists. Finally, let me make a joke: I am surprised that the Balearic Islands authorities have not tried to restrict cycling. It is obvious that they cause congestion on the roads. This is of course a joke but in retrospect I can believe it all. All in all, over 100 years ago cyclists were also enemies of society
I agree entirely. Traffic and Parking are a joke. I will never bring my car to the island again.
Stan The ManThe over ownership of cars in households, some foreigners, some Mallorquin, is part of the problem Stan. Simply blaming hire cars without good evidence is another kneejerk reaction. The roads were jammed in November and hardly any were hire cars.
Just how are they going to police all foreign cars parked at say Palma Airport car parks most of year, and used when the owners or friends are on they visit the island? These cars the authorities should be hitting hard, not paying local taxes and possible no insurance. The owners of foreign vehicles should also prove when they enter and leave the islands to cover the daily road charges.
At last an acceptance that the Balearics have far too many cars on their small Islands. Further reductions and restrictions are urgently needed now. NOT NEXT YEAR!!!