Anti-German protests in Mallorca: Should holidaymakers be worried?
Mallorca is said to be the favorite island of Germans. However, this affection seems to be increasingly lacking in favor. In Santanyí, a municipality in the southeast of the island that is particularly popular with Germans, incidents occurred on the night of July 4-5 that are causing concern among German travelers.
During the night, unknown individuals sprayed graffiti with slogans such as "Germans out" and "Foreign buyers go to hell" on the walls and facades of German-owned businesses – a total of around 30 buildings were affected. Cars with German license plates were also sprayed or covered with stickers.
A manhunt launched last night has so far been unsuccessful.
Mallorca is one of the Spanish destinations where there have been repeated anti-tourism protests in recent months. On June 15, around 8,000 people demonstrated in the island's capital, Palma, under the slogan "Less tourism, more life" against the increasing tourist congestion on the Balearic island and the dramatic housing shortage.
During the demonstration, activists also hijacked a sightseeing bus in the center of the island's capital. They boarded the vehicle and unfurled a banner reading "Stop Touristification."
These protests have so far mostly been directed against mass tourism and its negative impact on the lives of locals. The fact that this discontent is being expressed through unpleasant messages against a specific nationality is new. The situation is also causing uncertainty among holidaymakers from Germany who want to travel to Mallorca again during the current or soon-to-be-started summer holidays.
In general, vacationers can rest assured. The majority of protests on Mallorca are peaceful and are generally directed not against travelers per se, but against the excesses of mass tourism. Isolated, unpleasant slogans are by no means representative.
The Santanyí city council also emphasized this, stating that they strongly condemned the acts, which "do not reflect the opinion of the majority of citizens." The city stated that those responsible were likely not from the municipality of Santanyí.
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The vast majority of the island's nearly 950,000 people are well aware that Mallorca relies on tourism and would be economically on the brink of collapse without its revenue. Approximately 75 percent of jobs on the island are directly or indirectly related to tourism.
"To be honest, it scares me," a local German artist told the Mallorca Zeitung . One believes the anti-German graffiti was a planned and targeted action and not the work of a single individual.
Regardless, Santanyí's city councilor, Jorge Perez, emphasized that "this kind of harassment cannot be justified by criticism of the tourism model." He promised to ensure safety in the community and called for tourism not to be viewed as a threat in general. The Fehm hotel association also warned: "Those who harass guests lose all credibility."
In general, the protests on Mallorca are directed against mass tourism. Therefore, they are demanding, among other things, a limit on visitor numbers, a cruise moratorium, and an end to tourist rentals, said the initiative's spokesperson, Jaume Pujol, to the island newspaper "Diario de Mallorca." The tourist season on Mallorca has already begun with "unbearable conditions" in holiday hotspots such as Sóller, Artà, and Palma.
Many of the protesters blame tourism for the social problems in Mallorca.
Source: IMAGO/Europa Press
The housing shortage is becoming increasingly severe due to the increasing proliferation of holiday apartments and property purchases by foreigners. This is leading to the displacement of locals, who have become a minority in many residential areas.
The number of travelers is growing year after year. Last year, around 19 million people came to the Balearic Islands – including Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera. The 20 million tourist mark is expected to be broken for the first time in 2025. The majority are drawn to Mallorca: The most popular of the Balearic Islands welcomed 13.5 million travelers in 2024. Five million of these came from Germany, an increase of 9 percent compared to 2023.
To curb mass tourism in Mallorca, the government has announced new measures . However, these are not scheduled to be implemented until 2026.
The overnight fee “Ecotasa” will be abolished in January and February, but will be significantly increased during the high season – from 4 to 6 euros per person in June, July and August.
Cruise passengers will also have to pay 6 euros per person per night instead of 2 euros—a 200 percent increase. The fees will remain unchanged in May, September, and October, as well as in March, April, November, and December.
Regarding the rapidly increasing number of vacation rentals , especially in Mallorca, which are considered the main cause of the severe housing shortage, the regional government not only intends to prohibit the issuing of new licenses but also to increase the requirements for renewing existing permits. The fine for illegal vacation rentals is to increase by 25 percent to up to €500,000.
Rental cars will also become more expensive in the future: This is due to a new tax for rental cars that are in use for less than six months a year – it ranges from 30 to 80 euros. A fee for cars brought onto the island is also currently being discussed.
Alcohol ban in party zones
Drinking on the beach and on the streets in certain areas of Mallorca has been prohibited for some time now – a violation carries a fine of up to 1,500 euros. Now, the rules for minors drinking alcohol in public have also been tightened.
Fines for bad behavior
Mallorca is increasing fines for misconduct: Vomiting in public will be fined €750. Urinating outdoors will be penalized with a €1,500 fine. Spitting on the street will be punished with a €750 fine. The use of megaphones and loudspeakers is also prohibited, and violations will result in a €750 fine. The stricter code of conduct is primarily intended to combat boorish behavior among partygoers.
Sightseeing tours
Guided tours may no longer exceed a maximum of 20 people per group, including the tour guide. Tours by scooter, bicycle, or Segway are limited to four people. Loudspeakers and megaphones are also prohibited.
Wild camping is prohibited
Overnight stays in caravans or camper vans parked on public roads are also prohibited. Anyone who does so will face a fine of between €750 and €1,500.
More surveillance
To deter or better detect misconduct, surveillance will be increased. The Palma de Mallorca police force will be reinforced by more than 120 officers, and drones will also be deployed in the summer of 2025. Palma's beach promenade will also be equipped with cameras to record activity around the clock.
Driving ban in Palma's old town
The city's Old Town Ring Road is now restricted to certain vehicles. This is due to a newly established environmental zone. Only Spanish vehicles with Eco and Zero Emission stickers, as well as environmental labels B and C, are permitted to use the Old Town Ring Road. German vehicles with red or yellow environmental stickers must stay out. Anyone violating the new rules faces a fine of €200.
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