The government of the Balearic Islands has introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol between 9:30pm and 8am in a bid to crack down on so-called low quality tourism.
The Balearic government’s new decree, which will be enforced until at least December 2027, bans late night sales of booze from commercial establishments in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia in Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza.
The government wrote in its announcement of the ban that the ‘correct interpretation’ of the ban was that ‘commercial establishments’ have to be completely closed, and cannot simply shut display cases.
It also banned party boats from being within one nautical mile of any of these destinations, and they are banned from picking up an disembarking passengers in this area.
The BBC reported that the decree, an expansion of a 2020 law, was pushed at the request of local authorities.
A spokesperson for the Balearic Islands tourism council said that the 2020 law was combatting anti-social behaviour.
Late night sales of booze will be banned in Ibiza and Mallorca
He added that he hoped the law would no longer be necessary in ‘in three to four years, if we instill in people how to behave.’
The bans come after the government warned that rowdy Brits could face hefty fines following the introduction of tougher new sanctions for bad behaviour for flouting civic rules in its biggest holiday hotspots.
The mayor of Mallorca’s capital, Palma, said one of his main objectives is to ‘correct uncivil attitudes’ and this applies as much to holidaymakers as it does to locals.
Jaime Martínez said the new Civic Ordinance could see offenders hit with fines of up to €3,000, depending on the severity of the breach – with the new rules due to come into force in a couple of months.
The new rules include a ban on drink parties in public places, graffiti, scooters, and even nudism and semi-nudism.
This new Ordinance toughens the sanctions on activities that deteriorate or dirty the city’s public spaces.
According to the mayor, the current ordinance is too ‘lax’ and needs an increase in sanctions to promote one of the main objectives of his mandate: ‘Correct uncivil attitudes.’
It comes after he told leisure industry bosses at the ITB Berlin tourism fair earlier this month that he and his administration are working to stop ‘rampant’ irresponsible tourism on the island.
According to the ordinance, if the consumption of alcohol on public roads disrupts coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquillity of the environment, among other situations, the infraction will be considered serious.
Tourists seen walking on the street at in Magaluf
Breaching this rule will set you back €750 to €1,500 – or if it’s considered very serious, the fine can range from €1,500 to €3,000.
On this issue, the mayor has pointed out that there are identified areas where ‘we must act with greater presence’, such as Santa Catalina, Palma beach or the Paseo Marítimo.
The amount of infractions for graffiti or slogans will be increased from €100 to €750 euros to fines of €1,500 to €3,000.
In the case of minors who commit graffiti vandalism, the mayor explained that parents will be held responsible and will have to ensure payment of penalties and meet the cost of removal by the town hall.
In relation to banners, posters and advertising brochures, their placement in municipal buildings or facilities, in public spaces and street furniture is prohibited. Thus, the sanctions will range from €750 to €1,500.
Likewise, placement on monuments, listed buildings or on traffic signs that make their visibility difficult will result in a serious infringement, amounting to €1,500 to €3,000.