Balearic Islands president Marga Prohens has announced plans for 80 homes for healthcare professionals near Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza and another 40 homes for teachers relocating to Formentera. The proposals were presented during the first day of the Balearic Parliament's general policy debate on Tuesday, 20 October, as the regional government seeks to address housing difficulties affecting the recruitment and retention of essential public-sector workers.

The 80 homes for healthcare staff would form part of a wider development of 245 public homes planned for the Can Misses area. The 40 homes in Formentera are intended to help teachers who move to the island take up educational posts.

The announcements respond to a persistent challenge across Ibiza and Formentera: the difficulty of finding affordable accommodation can make it harder to attract and retain doctors, nurses and teachers.

80 Homes Planned Near Can Misses Hospital

Prohens said the Balearic Government was already working on a project for 245 public homes on a site near Can Misses Hospital, with 80 earmarked for healthcare professionals.

The stated aim is to make it easier to recruit and retain medical staff on Ibiza, where housing costs and the limited availability of accommodation can create barriers for workers moving to the island.

The announcement forms part of a wider effort to strengthen public healthcare services across the Pityusic Islands.

Prohens said 44 doctors had joined healthcare services in Ibiza and Formentera over the previous three years, including 16 working in hospital care and 28 in primary care.

She also highlighted the expansion of Can Misses Hospital's oncology service, which she said had increased from one specialist to five in three years. Work was under way to recruit a sixth oncologist, according to the president.

40 Homes for Teachers Relocating to Formentera

The second housing announcement concerns 40 homes intended for teachers who relocate to Formentera to take up educational positions.

The Government said it was working on the housing promotion as part of efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of teaching staff on the island.

The proposal complements additional financial incentives for teachers working in locations designated as difficult or very difficult to staff. For the 2026-2027 school year, the monthly supplements are €300 for eligible posts in Ibiza and Menorca and €400 in Formentera.

Prohens also referred to the need for a new education agreement covering the coming years, with housing and mobility between the islands among the priorities.

The announcement does not mean the homes are already built or available. Further project development will be needed before they can provide accommodation to teachers.

Government Highlights Improvements in Healthcare

During the parliamentary debate, Prohens also pointed to improvements in healthcare provision across Ibiza and Formentera.

According to figures she presented, the average wait for an outpatient appointment had fallen from four months to two months, while the waiting time for surgery had decreased from almost six months to three and a half months.

The president attributed these changes to an increase in healthcare staff, more clinical activity and measures aimed at reducing waiting lists. She acknowledged that further work remained necessary.

Other projects highlighted included the Ca na Majora centre for patients with chronic conditions from Ibiza and Formentera, improvements to the surgical area at Formentera Hospital and the tendering process for the island's future health centre.

Housing Remains a Challenge for Essential Workers

The announcements reflect the connection between housing availability and the ability of public services to recruit staff in the Balearic Islands.

For healthcare professionals, access to accommodation is a particular concern on Ibiza, where the Government hopes the Can Misses development will help attract and retain medical personnel.

In Formentera, the proposed homes for teachers are intended to make relocation more practical and support the staffing of local schools.

Both proposals remain planned housing developments rather than completed accommodation. Their eventual impact will depend on the progress of the projects and when the homes can be delivered.

Prohens presented the measures as part of the Government's broader response to housing pressures and the need to strengthen essential public services across the Pityusic Islands.