October 29, 2025, 1:21 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Vacations in the Balearic Islands could become significantly more expensive next year. The calls for an increase in the tourist tax are growing louder. Find out what costs travelers might face here.
To better regulate the influx of tourists to the Balearic Islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza, Spain’s largest union, the CCOO, is calling for an increase in the tourist tax. Currently, travelers pay a small amount per person per night, depending on the type of accommodation and season. For a four- or five-star hotel, this is currently about four euros in the high season. For one- to three-star hotels, the charge is typically two euros per person per night.
However, the Spanish union is now demanding a significant increase, which could make a vacation in Mallorca much more expensive. Their proposal is that during the high season in July and August, the tourist tax should be raised to a hefty 15 euros per person per night. For a couple, this would mean an additional 210 euros for a seven-night stay just for the tourist tax.
Increase Aims to Deter Tourists
Speaking to the Balearic newspaper “Ultima Hora,” CCOO General Secretary José Luís García stated that the increase is not intended to boost revenue. Rather, it is meant as a deterrent to emphasize that the Balearic Islands have no room for more visitors during the peak season.
The proposal suggests that the 15-euro charge will remain in place until the annual number of visitors drops below 14 or 15 million. However, the union is also aware that raising the tourist tax does not automatically mean fewer tourists will come. The additional revenue is intended to benefit locals, such as by improving working conditions, vocational training, and housing construction.
Also interesting: 14 Things Not to Do in Mallorca
Resident Protests Are Increasing
The union’s demands are backed by increasing protests from residents in the Balearic Islands, especially in Mallorca. Anti-tourism demonstrations frequently make headlines. To better manage tourist flows, the union is also calling for a halt to new vacation accommodations. Instead, outdated hotel facilities should be renovated. According to García, it is not enough to curb demand to reduce overcrowding in the summer; the supply must also be adjusted.
The union is also concerned with the ecological state of the islands. To prevent further deterioration, the CCOO is calling for a reduction in the number of cruise ships and a limitation on flights during the high season. During the off-season, more flights should be scheduled to balance tourist numbers.