One of Spain’s largest trade unions is calling for a sharp increase in the taxes paid by visitors to the Balearic Islands, arguing that current measures have failed to ease overcrowding or promote off-season tourism.
The Workers’ Commission (Comisiones Obreras, CCOO) has proposed raising the region’s existing “sustainable tourism tax” to €15 (£13) per person, per night during the peak summer months of July and August — a steep jump from today’s high-season rate of €4 (£3.50) for five-star hotels.
At present, tourists visiting Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca pay a variable fee depending on the type of accommodation and time of year. During the high season from May to October, the tax stands at €4 per night in luxury hotels, €3 in mid-range establishments, €2 in budget lodgings, and €1 in hostels. Between November and April, these rates are reduced by 75%.
Under the new proposal, a group of four adults spending two weeks in a top-tier resort during August would pay €840 (£736) in taxes — up from €224 (£196) today.
The CCOO argues that the current levy has not been sufficient to discourage mass tourism during the hottest months, nor to encourage visitors to come during quieter periods. The union says the higher rate would help fund sustainable infrastructure and alleviate pressure on local services strained by surging visitor numbers.
The proposal comes after a summer marked by growing anti-tourism sentiment across southern Europe. Demonstrations in Spain, Italy and Portugal have drawn attention to the impact of overtourism on local housing markets, the rising cost of living, and the strain on public spaces.
While Balearic authorities have yet to comment on the union’s suggestion, the debate underscores a broader tension in Europe’s top holiday destinations — between tourism’s economic benefits and its growing social and environmental costs.
Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca Visitors Could Face Steep Tourist Tax Increase Under New Union Proposal
