Mallorca Tourist Tax: ALL you need to know!
If you’re thinking of coming on holiday to Mallorca, you’ve probably already read about the tourist tax in Mallorca that must be paid when you arrive on the island. In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about it, and answer the most frequently asked questions by tourists who visit the island.
Let’s start by explaining what the ecotasa actually is. The ecotasa or tourist tax in Mallorca, officially known as the Tax on Tourist Stays in the Balearic Islands, is a tax payable by tourists staying in any type of tourist accommodation in Mallorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands. Implemented with the aim of financing projects that promote environmental sustainability and improve tourist infrastructure, the Mallorca Tourist Tax seeks to reduce the impact of mass tourism in the region.
Mallorca Tourist Tax is applied to visitors staying overnight in any accommodation such as hotels, tourist flats, rural houses and even cruise ships. The tourist tax in Mallorca varies according to the type of accommodation and the time of year too. The funds raised are donated to projects that favour the conservation of the environment, the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of a more sustainable tourism business model.
Although its introduction in 2016 generated some controversy among tourists and local businesses in the sector, the tourist tax in Mallorca has established itself as a key tool for balancing the economic impact of tourism with the protection of Mallorca’s natural and cultural environment.
Who has to pay the Tourist Tax in Mallorca?
The ecotasa or tourist tax in Mallorca must be paid by all visitors staying in any type of tourist accommodation in the Balearic Islands. This includes hotels, tourist flats, hostels, agritourism, rural houses and cruise ships. Travellers are subject to the tax regardless of their nationality, whether they are international tourists or residents in other parts of Spain.
Who doesn´t pay Tourist Tax in Mallorca?
Although most tourists in Mallorca must pay the eco-tax, there are certain exceptions and exemptions:
- Under 16s: Children and adolescents under 16 years of age are exempt from paying the tourist tax in Mallorca.
- Travellers for medical or educational purposes: Persons visiting the island for medical or educational purposes may also be exempt from paying tourist tax in Mallorca, provided they can prove these reasons with the appropriate documentation.
- Travel funded by the public administration:Tourists staying on the island as part of social programmes, such as trips funded by the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO), do not have to pay the tourist tax in Mallorca.
- Long Stays: For long stays, from the ninth day of stay in the same accommodation, the tourist tax in Mallorca is halved to encourage longer visits.
How much tourist tax do you pay in Mallorca?
The amount of the tourist tax in Mallorca varies according to the type of accommodation, the category of the accommodation and the season in which the stay takes place. Tourists pay per night of accommodation, and rates are divided into high season (May to October) and low season (November to April), with reductions during off-peak months.
Fees according to type of accommodation:
- 5-star Hotels, Luxury Hotels or Cruises:
- High Season: 4 euros per person and night
- Low Season: 1 euro per person and night
- 4-star Superior and 4-star Hotels:
- High Season: 3 euros per person and night
- Low Season: 0,75 cents per person and night
- 3-star Hotels and lower category Hotels, hostels, tourist flats:
- High Season: 2 euros per person and night
- Low Season: 0,50 cents per person and night
- Agrotourism, rural houses and other alternative accommodation:
- High Season: 2 euros per person and night
- Low Season: 0,50 cents per person and night
Possible Reductions:
- Long Stays: From the ninth consecutive day in the same accommodation, the rate is halved. For example, in a 4-star hotel in high season, the rate drops from 3 euros to 1.5 euros per night from the ninth day onwards.
- Low Season: Between November and April, the Mallorca Tourisr Tax is considerably reduced, often to a quarter of the amount in high season.
When and How do you pay the Tourist Tax in Mallorca?
The payment of the Tourist Tax in Mallorca is made during the tourist’s stay, generally at the time of check-in or check-out at the accommodation where he/she is staying. The tourits accommodation are responsible for collecting this tax and must provide the client with an invoice showing the exact amount of the eco-tax charged.
When do you pay the Tourist Tax in Mallorca?
- At Check-in or Check-out: Tourists usually pay the tourist tax at the beginning of their stay (check-in) or at the end (check-out). The amount is calculated according to the number of nights the visitor has stayed in the establishment and the category of the accommodation.
- For each night’s stay: The tourist tax is paid for each night the tourist spends in the accommodation. In the case of an extended stay, from the ninth consecutive day in the same place, the rate is halved.
How do you pay the Tourist Tax?
- By cash or credit card: The Tourist tax in Mallorca can be paid by whatever method of payment the tourist accommodation has available, usually by cash or credit card. In most cases, it is added to the total of the accommodation bill.
- Detailed invoice: The establishment is obliged to provide an invoice clearly stating the amount of the Tourist Tax in Mallorca. This allows tourists to verify the exact amount they have paid and to understand how their bill breaks down.
Who handles the payment?
The tourist establishments (hotels, flats, rural houses, etc.) are responsible for collecting the Tourist Tax in Mallorca and transferring it to the local authorities. The tax collected is then used for projects related to sustainability and the improvement of the natural and cultural environment in the Balearic Islands.
What to do in Mallorca after paying the tourist tax?
After paying the eco-tax, Mallorca opens up a world of different activities that combine nature, culture and adventure. You can explore its stunning beaches such as Es Trenc or Caló des Moro, discover the beauty of the Tramuntana Mountains, declared a World Heritage Site, or lose yourself in the historic streets of Palma, with the magnificent Cathedral of La Seu as the main landmark. What’s more, the Tourist Tax in Mallorca contributes to the preservation of many of these places, making your visit even more meaningful and sustainable.
Discover all the activities you can do in: