The escalating housing crisis on the Spanish island of Majorca has raised concerns about local residents being ‘expelled’ from their homes due to rising tourism and property prices.
Experts have sounded the alarm over an escalating housing crisis in Majorca, a Spanish island that is popular with British tourists. The situation has led to fears that the local population may soon face the grim reality of being “expelled” from their own homes due to the overwhelming influence of the tourism industry on the housing market.
Concerns about overtourism on the island have been mounting since last summer when public protests erupted in the capital, Palma. Local residents have raised their voices against the growing influx of tourists, citing that increasing rent prices are making it increasingly difficult for them to afford housing in their own communities. The issue has been exacerbated as more properties are converted into holiday rentals, compounding the scarcity of available homes for locals.
In response to the dire situation, the Balearic real-estate agency associations ABINI and API have jointly addressed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, urging immediate action to address the issues of overcrowding and soaring property prices. In their letter, they highlighted the urgency of the crisis, stating, “If urgent measures are not taken, our society will be condemned to expelling its own citizens due to the inability to find a home.” The associations stressed that housing should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a mere “speculative asset.”
Furthermore, the letter called for responsible investment in housing and an increase in the overall supply of affordable homes. The associations emphasised that the ongoing housing debate should not become a political battleground. “While the different parties accuse each other of inaction, families see their chance of having a home in their own land slipping away,” they noted. They insisted that this sentiment extends beyond their sector and resonates throughout the entirety of Balearic society.
As the summer season draws near and tourism in Majorca is poised to spike, these issues are likely to intensify, positioning the island at a critical crossroads for its residents, economy, and cultural identity.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2025/02/22/131405/000-houses-needed-balearics.html – This article supports the claim of a severe housing crisis in the Balearics, highlighting the need for 91,000 new homes with affordable rents. It also notes the impact of tourism on rising rents and the lack of action from successive governments.
- https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2025/03/12/anger-mounts-in-mallorca-over-worsening-property-crisis-as-locals-are-increasingly-turfed-out-by-rising-prices/ – This news piece corroborates the escalating housing crisis in Mallorca, detailing local protests and the struggles of residents facing unaffordable housing due to rising prices fueled by tourism.
- https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2023/09/01/121519/tourism-and-housing-majorca.html – Although not directly available in search results, this hypothetical URL would likely provide additional context on the relationship between tourism and housing in Majorca.
- https://www.balearsgov.cat/en/iniciativas/sostenibilidad-territorial/turismo-sostenible/ – This hypothetical URL could provide information on sustainable tourism initiatives by local authorities, although it is not available in the search results.
- https://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/crisis-vivienda/baleares.html – Another hypothetical URL that might cover the housing crisis in the Balearics, although not present in search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not contain outdated references, but it addresses ongoing issues without recent updates or developments that could confirm freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes are seemingly original and directly attributed to named organizations (ABINI and API), which suggests these might be the first recorded instances of these statements.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-known publication, the Daily Express, which generally provides reliable information, but the source’s tone can sometimes be sensational.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Majorca’s housing crisis and its impact are plausible and consistent with reported issues regarding tourism’s influence on local housing.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be generally accurate, with plausible claims about Majorca’s housing crisis. The quotes are likely original, and while the source is generally reliable, it is crucial to verify specific claims with primary documents or other reputable sources.
