Irregular vacation rentals in Mallorca: platforms should delete over 2,300 listings

Platforms should remove 2,373 listings from the Balearic Islands

On Monday evening there were again discussions in Palma, familiar to many here on the island: The central government has demanded that booking platforms like Airbnb and others remove more than 2,300 listings from the Balearic Islands. It concerns listings that appeared in the new central registry but apparently do not have a valid permit.

Why this is happening right now

In the cafes of Santa Catalina people talk about it just as in the administrative offices on Passeig Mallorca: Since the introduction of the so-called registro único, listings that do not show the required registration number are systematically checked. On Ibiza this week a round table is planned as well, according to ministerial circles, to deepen cooperation with the platforms.

The Balearic tourism minister praises the initiative as an important step against illegal short-term rentals. At the same time he concedes that the system is not yet perfect: Every case must be examined, and legally licensed apartments must not be taken offline erroneously.

Landlords are worried – for good reason

Representatives of landlords warn that bureaucratic hurdles and technical problems could lead to legitimate listings disappearing. A managing director of an association in Palma said: Many owners are still waiting for the new registration number, even though their license is valid. That sounds plausible when thinking of older buildings in La Lonja, where such papers sometimes take longer.

On the other hand, local politicians emphasize that controls have already been increased: The Island Council reports that inspections have tripled compared with the previous term. The goal is not only tourism regulation but also more housing for locals.

What to expect now

Practically, this means: In the coming days platforms will review and delete listings, authorities must correct cases, and landlords should urgently check their documents. For residents, there is hope that less illegal renting will actually relieve the housing market. Whether this works depends on implementation—and on how quickly bureaucracy and technology keep up.

The debate is far from over. I was at the town hall this afternoon, speaking with a neighbor who has rented out an apartment for years — he said matter-of-factly: "If everything is clean, nothing should happen. But the chaos with the numbers makes life hard for all of us."