New Decree Law 4/2025: Key Changes to the Regulation of Tourist Rentals in Menorca

New Decree-Law 4/2025: Key Changes to the Regulation of Tourist Rentals in Menorca

On April 15, 2025, Decree-Law 4/2025, approved by the Balearic Government, was published in the BOIB (Spanish Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands). The aim is to strengthen the fight against illegal tourist activities, improve the quality of tourism in the Balearic Islands, and establish temporary measures to regulate the number of tourist accommodations on each island.

At SOM Menorca, as vacation rental professionals, we summarize its main implications for Menorca and for tourist accommodation:

1. The tourist moratorium in Menorca remains in place

The new Decree confirms that the suspension of new tourist activities in Menorca continues.
This suspension will remain in place until the Island Council approves, through the PIAT or PTI (Spanish Tourist Board), a technical study determining the island's tourist carrying capacity. Only then will the final "ceiling" of available spaces be set.

2. New tourist spaces prohibited in multi-family buildings

One of the most forceful measures of the Decree is the prohibition of submitting new tax declarations for properties located in horizontal properties (flats or apartments within buildings). However, new registrations will only be permitted for single-family, semi-detached, or semi-detached homes once the moratorium is lifted and provided they comply with current regulations.

3. Review of inactive properties

The Island Council will conduct an exhaustive review of properties that have not been used for tourism purposes for three consecutive years. If the tourist tax has not been filed and no traveler reports have been reported, the property will be removed from the tourist registry. The deadline for this review is April 16, 2027.

4. New pools of temporary tourist spots, but Menorca is excluded (for now)

Although the Decree provides for the creation of pools of temporary tourist spots for each island, Menorca is excluded from this mechanism until further resolution by the Consell. Therefore, new spots cannot be acquired through exchanges or by deregistering other properties until further notice.

5. Reinforcement against illegal listings

• Increase in fines up to €500,000 in very serious cases.
• Rental websites (such as Airbnb or Booking.com) will be required to display the tourist registration number on each listing.
• Owners who market homes without a tourist license will be penalized, although they can benefit from a reduction of up to 80% of the fine if they use the home for social or limited-price rentals.

6. There is no increase in the Tax on Tourist Stays

Finally, it has been confirmed that the new Decree does not include increases in the Tax on Tourist Stays, a positive development for the sector in these times of uncertainty and regulatory adaptation.

This new regulatory framework represents a turning point in Menorca's tourism model. The objective is clear: to contain uncontrolled growth, combat illegal tourism, and promote more sustainable and high-quality tourism.

At SOM Menorca, we closely monitor every legal development to advise our owners and clients with complete transparency and professionalism.

If you have any questions about how this regulation may affect you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.