British tourists face new crackdown on Spanish islands | World | News

The Balearic Islands are moving to crack down on vehicles entering popular tourist destinations. Government representatives and council presidents will meet to discuss the regional restriction on vehicles entering the four islands.

The new measure will be an umbrella law that will also cover Majorca and Menorca, although similar regulations already exist in Formentera and Ibiza. Restrictions on vehicle entry and rental cars in Majorca are expected to be approved by the council before the end of the year, and by the Balearic Parliament in the first quarter of 2026. If passed, the borders will be implemented before the start of the 2026 tourism season.

Majorca, in particular, is having difficulty coping with the influx of cars. 400,000 vehicles arrived at its port in 2023; This number is twice that of 2017.

The draft proposals include a limit on rental cars allowed on the island at any one time, a one-car-per-driver rule, especially for non-residents and existing property owners, and priority access for low-emission or electric vehicles.

They also cited special fees for vehicles not taxed in the Balearic Islands, advertising registration and tax requirements for non-resident vehicles.

But the conservative Vox party’s opposition to the restrictions means the government Partido Popular will need the support of the opposition PSOE and Més.

Majorca’s draft law includes fines for individuals and maintenance rental companies who violate the regulations.

Individuals can be fined up to €10,000 for falsifying login credentials, while maintenance hire companies can be fined €30,000 for failing to report the registration numbers of all vehicles transported to the island.