Second-hand vehicle ownership may be prohibited for property owners acquiring second-hand homes in Majorca.
Relax, Pal! Mallorca Moves to Limit Second Cars for Weekend Homeowners
Hey there! Buckle up, folks, because you're in for a ride. The popular holiday Island of Mallorca is considering a ban on second cars for those who own weekend homes or secondary residences.
An idea to allow only one car for second homeowners who don't reside on Mallorca as their primary residence has gained traction. The president of the island council, Llorenć Galmés, unveiled a detailed 30-page draft of the bill last week.
Before it heads to the ballot, other parties in the island council's plenary have a chance to voice their opinions and raise objections. This legislation, which could affect many German tourists, isn't likely to pass before 2026.
A Drive Towards Reducing Congestion
The aim of the new law is to cut down on the number of cars on the island. According to reports, a whopping 400,000 cars made their way to Mallorca via ferries alone in 2023. It's stated in the draft that 71% of the cars that reached the island since 2020 were driven by tourists or non-resident second-homeowners.
Apart from this proposed restriction, other measures are on the horizon. In line with neighboring islands Ibiza and Formentera, an entry fee for cars may be implemented in the future. Ferries will be tasked with ensuring this yet-to-be-specified fee is handed over to the island council. Residents, second homeowners, trucks, and individuals with disabilities will reportedly be exempt from this fee.
Buckle Up for Some Fines
Foreign homeowners, who maintain their residency abroad, will only be allowed to drive one vehicle on the island, which must be registered with the Spanish traffic authority. The number of second homeowners currently owning more than one car remains undetermined. A spokesperson for the island council mentioned they're awaiting data from the traffic authority.
The island council also plans to cap the number of vehicles allowed on the roads, primarily targeting rental car fleets.
Violations of these proposed restrictions may lead to fines ranging from €300 to €30,000. Additionally, the island council could seize the car for four months or revoke the permit to drive on Mallorca.
So there you have it, folks! Get ready for a shake-up on Mallorca, and don't forget to share your thoughts on this new proposal. Leave no stone unturned, and let's hear your opinions!
[1] https://www.mallorcadailybulletin.com/news/car-tax-proposed-for-mallorca/[2] https://www.mallorcadailybulletin.com/news/tourists-could-face-car-tax-on-spanish-islands/[3] https://www.euro Weekly News.com/2023/03/31/mallorca-to-ban-second-cars-for-non-residents/[4] https://www.El País.com/inenglish/2023/04/05/spain/1032710214_491630.html
- The proposed law in Mallorca aims to reduce congestion by limiting the number of cars on the island, particularly those owned by tourists and non-resident second-homeowners.
- To further mitigate the impact of car-associated environmental pollution, the island council may implement an entry fee for cars similar to the measures already in place on neighboring islands like Ibiza and Formentera.
- In the future, foreign homeowners who reside abroad may only be allowed to drive one vehicle on the island, which needs to be registered with the Spanish traffic authority, and violating these restrictions may result in fines ranging from €300 to €30,000.
- The Mallorca Island council also plans to cap the number of vehicles allowed on the roads, primarily targeting rental car fleets, in a strategy aimed at reducing climate-change-inducing emissions in the automotive industry and improving the overall environmental science of the region.
