Tuesday, June 17, 2025

UK tourists could be left without accommodation in Majorca this summer because new regulations set to take effect in July 2025 will ban all short-term rentals that are not officially registered with local authorities. These rules, aimed at curbing illegal tourist lets and restoring housing balance on the island, threaten to remove up to seventy percent of current listings from platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com — a move that could leave thousands of British travelers without valid bookings during peak holiday season.

Majorca is about to change the game for summer tourism. Starting July 1, the Balearic Island will implement sweeping new restrictions on tourist rentals that could leave millions of UK holidaymakers without legal accommodation. The new policy requires all properties listed on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to be officially registered with the appropriate authorities. If they’re not, they will be considered illegal — and pulled from the market.

This is not a small administrative update. The impact could be massive. Estimates suggest that up to 70 percent of currently listed vacation rentals on these platforms do not meet the new legal standards and could be delisted overnight. That’s thousands of properties, many of them booked by tourists from the UK who make up one of the island’s largest visitor groups.

The move comes as part of a broader effort to clamp down on what local governments see as uncontrolled tourist growth and mounting housing pressures. In recent years, the rise of short-term rentals has been blamed for inflating property prices, pushing out long-term residents, and overwhelming infrastructure in towns and coastal resorts. Majorca, as one of Spain’s top holiday destinations, has been at the center of this debate.

Authorities say the new framework aims to professionalize and regulate the short-term rental industry more effectively, ensuring that only legal and properly registered operators remain active. Under the new rules, every listing must be tied to an official registration number — a number that must be visible on the rental advertisement. Properties without it will be considered non-compliant and subject to removal from online platforms, as well as fines.

Tourists are now being urged to double-check their bookings. If a holiday rental lacks an official registration, travelers may find themselves without a valid place to stay — especially in July and August when demand peaks and hotel availability drops. UK tourists, who typically book apartments and villas months in advance, could face last-minute cancellations or be forced to seek alternative accommodation at much higher prices.

These changes could deliver a severe blow to Majorca’s economy. Forecasts suggest that losses may exceed thirteen billion euros just between July and December, as a massive number of short-term rentals are forced offline. The ripple effect could be felt far beyond the accommodation sector. Local businesses—ranging from restaurants and cafes to retail shops and transport operators—rely heavily on the constant stream of visitors who book these vacation stays. A sharp decline in rental availability could set off a chain reaction, weakening the entire tourism-driven economy of the island.

Many critics believe the new policy adds layers of confusion and red tape to an already established framework. Spain’s autonomous communities — including the Balearic Islands — have long maintained their own systems for registering tourist rentals, with many property owners already following these local rules. By introducing a centralized enforcement approach, the government risks overlapping existing regulations and complicating a system that has largely been operating smoothly. This duplication, opponents argue, may cause more disruption than improvement.

There’s also concern over the lack of collaboration in drafting the new rules. Stakeholders in the tourist rental sector — including property managers, rental agencies, and housing associations — say they were not consulted in a meaningful way before the policy was finalized. They argue that their expertise, built through years of experience managing and regulating vacation rentals, was ignored during the decision-making process.

In addition, a growing number of industry professionals argue that the new policy overlooks the progress and professionalism that have emerged in the short-term rental sector. Over the last ten years, operators have taken major strides to elevate service quality, guest safety, and overall transparency. Many have proactively adopted new best practices, including contactless check-ins, environmentally responsible operations, and tailored experiences to meet rising guest expectations. For those who have invested in these improvements, the sweeping regulations feel like a step in the wrong direction — a rigid, blanket approach to what is in reality a complex and evolving landscape.

From the traveler’s perspective, the situation is deeply unsettling. Many UK tourists have already booked and paid for their summer accommodations, unaware of the new compliance risks. If their rental gets delisted, they may not be entitled to a refund or a rebooking. Even for those who haven’t booked yet, the uncertainty surrounding availability and legality is causing hesitation. Travel agents and booking platforms are now fielding questions they can’t always answer — adding to the confusion.

The crisis comes at a critical time for Spain’s tourism recovery. After several tough years marked by the pandemic and shifting travel patterns, destinations like Majorca were counting on a robust 2025 summer season. Flights are full, beaches are busy, and bookings have been strong — but that momentum now hangs in the balance.

This policy shift also places Majorca at the forefront of a broader debate happening across Europe. Other cities and regions — from Lisbon to Amsterdam to Barcelona — are also considering or implementing limits on short-term rentals. The balance between tourism, housing affordability, and quality of life for residents is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Majorca’s model could set a precedent, for better or worse.

UK tourists risk losing their accommodation in Majorca as new regulations taking effect in July 2025 will ban all unregistered short-term rentals, potentially wiping out the majority of listings on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.

What happens in the coming months will determine how tourists, rental platforms, and local economies adapt to the new reality. For now, travelers are advised to stay informed, verify their bookings, and be prepared for disruptions.

For millions of UK holidaymakers, this summer may come with more than just sunshine and sea views — it may come with the risk of having nowhere to sleep.