The Balearic Islands could introduce limits on the number of tourists visiting each year under a new proposal aimed at tackling overtourism, housing shortages, and pressure on local infrastructure across Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca.

The Partit Socialista de les Illes Balears (PSOE), the islands’ opposition party, is set to present a proposal on February 17 that would introduce a cap on annual visitor numbers. The suggested limit is 17.8 million tourists per year, a figure that matches total visitor numbers recorded in 2023.

However, tourism has continued to grow beyond that level. The islands received approximately 18.7 million visitors in 2024 and more than 19 million in 2025, according to recent figures. The proposed cap would therefore represent a reduction from current growth trends rather than an immediate cut from recent peaks.

Former tourism minister Iago Negueruela, who is behind the proposal, has previously suggested that an even lower ceiling of 16.5 million visitors should be considered long term. He described that figure as a maximum that should not be exceeded and ideally should gradually decrease over time.

Alongside a visitor cap, the proposal also calls for tighter controls on illegal tourist accommodation, an issue that has been widely linked to rising rental prices and limited housing availability for local residents across the islands.

Overtourism has become one of the most debated issues in the Balearic Islands in recent years. The total population across all islands is just over 1.2 million residents, including more than 18,000 British expats, while visitor numbers now exceed 19 million annually.

Majorca remains the busiest destination, welcoming around 13.4 million tourists in 2024, including approximately 3.58 million British visitors. Ibiza and Menorca also continue to see strong demand, particularly during peak summer months.

Public frustration has grown alongside rising housing costs and overcrowding concerns. In June 2025, around 5,000 residents protested in Majorca, highlighting issues such as unaffordable housing and the impact of mass tourism on daily life. Previous demonstrations included signs reading “Mallorca not for sale,” reflecting wider concerns about the long-term sustainability of current tourism levels.

While some residents and political groups support limits on visitor numbers, parts of the hospitality and entertainment sector have expressed concern about the potential economic impact.

Miguel Pérez-Marsá from the Balearic Association of Leisure and Entertainment warned that certain tourists are already choosing other destinations. He said that some visitors “do not feel welcome and are going elsewhere,” and described the start of the year for restaurants and nightlife businesses as a “disastrous January” in terms of customer numbers.

Industry leaders argue that tourism remains a key driver of the islands’ economy and caution that restrictions must be carefully managed to avoid harming local businesses.

At this stage, the proposal is still in its early phases. There are no confirmed details yet on how a tourist cap would be enforced, how visitors would be counted in practice, or when any potential limits could take effect if approved.

The proposal would need to move through further political debate and planning stages before any policy changes are implemented. It is also unclear whether any cap would apply equally across all islands or be adjusted by destination or season.

For now, the discussion signals a growing shift in how destinations like Ibiza and Majorca are approaching tourism management, with increasing focus on sustainability, housing availability, and long-term quality of life for residents.

More updates are expected as the proposal moves through the next stages of debate in the Balearic Islands.

News source: mirror.co.uk