This summer in Menorca, a young family found themselves in an extremely difficult situation: with no affordable rental options available, they were forced to live in a camper van. Montse Casado, along with her three-month-old daughter and her husband, who came for seasonal work at the Port of Maó, now spend their days in the cramped space, seeking refuge from the heat under the trees and constantly moving from one parking spot to another.
Plans to return to the island, where Montse had worked for over ten years, fell through when their search for housing was fruitless. Even attempts to rent a room or stay on friends’ property failed: owners fear complaints and possible legal issues. As a result, the family is forced to wander across the island, adapting to circumstances and trying not to disturb local residents.
With the arrival of the heat, life in the camper has become a real ordeal. Montse spends most of her time inside with the baby, while her husband works. Finding shade and coolness has become a matter of survival for them. On one occasion, after a neighbor complained, they had to urgently move to avoid conflict. The family admits that this lifestyle is far from what they expected, but they had no other choice.
The housing situation in Menorca in 2025 has become critical, and not just for this family. Increasingly, seasonal workers are forced to live in camper vans or even their cars, as renting an apartment or house at an affordable price is nearly impossible. Many leave the island, unable to cope with constant moves and the lack of basic living conditions. Some cannot afford housing due to low wages; others are turned away because of their pets.
The Montse family is already counting the days until their return to Switzerland, where they have a home and support from relatives. Despite facing rental challenges there as well, they are confident they can start over. The island that was once their home has now become a place where staying is impossible. Their story is just one of many highlighting the acute housing crisis in Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
