The island is moving towards limiting the number of vehicles entering Mallorca during the summer months. The Balearic Parliament has agreed to consider the law promoted by the Consell de Mallorca, which will allow a maximum number of vehicles arriving from outside the island to be set, rental cars to be limited and a charge to be imposed on certain vehicles entering Mallorca.

limit on vehicles entering Mallorca

Traffic jams on the Vía de Cintura are common in summer. Photo: R. Beltrán.

The proposal passed its first parliamentary stage on Tuesday, 9 September, with 53 votes in favour and five abstentions. The amendment period will now begin, with the law expected to receive final approval by the end of October. It is being processed under an urgent procedure to shorten the timeframe.

The future regulation does not yet establish how many vehicles will be allowed to enter or the amount of the charge. The cap will be set on the basis of an annual or six-monthly carrying capacity study and will have to be approved by the plenary session of the Consell de Mallorca. The amount of the charge will subsequently be established through a tax ordinance.

How will the vehicle limit in Mallorca work?

The legislation proposes a specific system to control vehicle pressure during the busiest months. Its main measures are:

  • Entry limit: a maximum number will be set for vehicles that are not registered for tax purposes in Mallorca and are allowed to enter the island during the summer months.
  • Rental cars: a specific cap will also be introduced for rental vehicles.
  • Charge: vehicles subject to the regulation will have to pay a charge to enter Mallorca.
  • Residents: Mallorca residents and vehicles registered for tax purposes on the island will be exempt.
  • Penalties: entering without the corresponding authorisation could result in fines of between €300 and €30,000, as well as the possible immobilisation of the vehicle.
  • Variable cap: the maximum number of vehicles will be determined on the basis of periodic studies into the capacity and condition of the road network.

The regulation aims to reduce congestion on the road network during the summer. According to the latest carrying capacity study cited by the Consell, 379,628 vehicles entered Mallorca in 2023, 108% more than the number registered on the island in 2017.

Which vehicles will be exempt from the regulation?

The law provides for numerous exemptions. The limit on vehicles entering Mallorca will therefore not apply to all cars arriving from outside the island.

The following will be exempt from the regulation:

  • Vehicles belonging to Mallorca residents, provided their tax address is in a municipality on the island. This exemption does not include rental vehicles.
  • One vehicle belonging to non-resident owners of a property in Mallorca, provided the vehicle’s tax address is registered at that property.
  • Leased or rented vehicles used by Mallorca residents.
  • Vehicles belonging to residents of Menorca, Eivissa or Formentera who can demonstrate the need to travel to Mallorca for work or medical reasons.
  • Workers temporarily posted to Mallorca who can prove that they are travelling to the island for work.
  • Mallorca residents who are temporarily off the island and need to return due to serious medical or family circumstances.
  • Vehicles used by people with reduced mobility, with the corresponding accreditation.
  • Public service vehicles, including those used by the security forces, fire brigade, ambulances, healthcare services, hearses, Civil Protection, public and school transport, taxis, and waste collection and street cleaning services. Private hire vehicles with driver (VTCs) whose authorisation is not registered in Mallorca will not be included in this category.
  • Authorised rental vehicles that meet the requirements of the law and have their tax address in Mallorca.
  • Vehicles used for transporting and distributing goods.
  • Tractors, excavators and similar vehicles.
  • Other vehicles that fall outside the Consell’s vehicle influx controls in accordance with the circumstances provided for in the law itself. (BCA Consell de Mallorca)

Will residents have to pay the charge to enter Mallorca?

No. One of the key points of the proposed legislation is that Mallorca residents will be exempt from the restrictions provided that the vehicle has its tax address on the island. The Consell maintains that the regulation is intended to target vehicles arriving from outside Mallorca that increase pressure on the road network, rather than restrict residents’ everyday travel.

The legislation also covers non-residents who own a property in Mallorca. They will be allowed one vehicle per property outside the limit, provided it meets the tax registration requirement established by the legislation.

When will the vehicle limit in Mallorca come into force?

For now, the regulation is not yet in force. The Balearic Parliament has agreed to process the proposal and the period for submitting amendments will now begin.

According to the timetable announced by the Consell, final approval is expected by the end of October 2026. Key aspects of its implementation, including the vehicle cap and the amount of the charge, will then have to be established.