People in Ibiza can no longer book taxis through the island’s automated WhatsApp service after changes to Meta’s business messaging charges made the system unworkable. The Insular Taxi Federation of Ibiza (FITIE) has confirmed the interruption, with no date currently established for the service to return.

The system, introduced in 2025 to make taxi bookings easier, allowed passengers to request a vehicle through an automated WhatsApp conversation instead of calling the taxi dispatch centre.

FITIE president Toni Roig said the problem stemmed from changes made by Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp. He described the disruption as outside the federation’s control and said it remained to be seen whether the service could be reactivated.

In the meantime, passengers can still request taxis by telephone or through the TaxiClick app.

Why Has WhatsApp Taxi Booking Stopped Working?

The disruption is linked to changes in the pricing of business messaging on WhatsApp.

From 1 October 2026, certain messages sent through automated systems on the WhatsApp Business Platform became chargeable under the platform’s updated pricing arrangements. Previously, some automated replies within customer-initiated conversations could be exempt from charges.

The change is particularly relevant to services such as taxi booking, where an automated assistant may exchange multiple messages with a passenger before a vehicle is assigned.

Each booking can involve several steps, including receiving the request, identifying the passenger’s location, confirming the journey and providing information about the assigned taxi. The more messages an automated system needs to complete these steps, the greater the potential cost.

The reported reference rate in Spain is approximately €0.016 per chargeable message once the applicable free allowance has been exceeded. Actual costs depend on the relevant message category and pricing conditions.

The changes affect business messaging systems and should not be interpreted as meaning that ordinary personal WhatsApp conversations have generally become paid.

A Service Introduced in 2025

Ibiza’s WhatsApp taxi-booking service was introduced in March 2025 as part of efforts to modernise the island’s taxi dispatch system.

Developed through FITIE, which operates the island-wide taxi GPS system, the service allowed passengers to save the dispatch centre’s number, 971 333 333, and send a WhatsApp message requesting a vehicle.

An automated assistant then guided users through the booking process, including providing their location, without requiring them to speak directly to a telephone operator.

The system was designed to reduce the number of calls handled by the dispatch centre and make it easier for residents and visitors to request a taxi.

It also formed part of the sector’s broader efforts to improve the customer experience and compete with alternative transport platforms.

However, the service still had some limitations when it was introduced, including restrictions on advance bookings and certain requests for adapted taxis.

How Can You Book a Taxi in Ibiza Now?

Although the WhatsApp option is unavailable, the island’s taxi service continues to operate through its other established channels.

Passengers can request a taxi in two main ways:

• By telephone: Call the island’s taxi dispatch centre on 971 333 333.

• Through the TaxiClick app: The application remains operational and can be used to request a taxi.

Visitors should use these alternatives rather than rely on the WhatsApp booking assistant while the interruption continues.

FITIE has apologised to users for the inconvenience and expressed hope that a solution can be found.

Mallorca Has Already Found a Possible Technical Solution

Ibiza is not the only place affected by the increased messaging costs. Taxi services in Palma de Mallorca and Córdoba also experienced disruption after the pricing changes.

In Palma, Radio Taxi Ciutat de Palma temporarily suspended its WhatsApp booking service after its messaging bill rose sharply. The operator had previously paid between approximately €725 and €900 per month for the service, but reported accumulating €1,826 in charges between 1 October and 14:00 the following day.

The cooperative later restored its WhatsApp service on 8 October after a technical modification reduced the number of messages required for each booking.

According to reporting on the changes, the revised system cut the exchange from around 15 messages to just two per taxi request.

The solution is relevant to Ibiza because FITIE also uses technology supplied by Taxitronic, the company behind the TaxiClick application. However, FITIE has not confirmed that it is implementing the same modification.

When Will WhatsApp Taxi Bookings Return in Ibiza?

There is currently no confirmed date for the return of the automated WhatsApp booking service in Ibiza.

FITIE president Toni Roig has said the interruption resulted from changes introduced by Meta and that the federation will see whether the service can be activated again.

The experience in Mallorca suggests that reducing the number of automated messages may offer a possible way to control costs. But until FITIE confirms a solution, passengers should not assume that WhatsApp bookings will resume imminently.

For now, the telephone dispatch centre and TaxiClick app remain the available alternatives for requesting a taxi across Ibiza.

The interruption highlights how changes to the pricing of digital platforms can affect services that residents and visitors have come to rely on, even when the underlying taxi network continues to operate.