Palma de Mallorca has launched an initiative that could change the lives of hundreds of families living in motorhomes. The municipality has announced plans to ban living in mobile homes, threatening hefty fines of up to 1,500 euros for violations. The decision has sparked a strong reaction among residents facing financial difficulties.
Families who cannot afford to rent or buy an apartment are forced to look for alternatives. For many, a camper van has become the only way to stay in the city, where housing prices have long exceeded affordable levels. Even with two steady incomes, finding a suitable apartment is nearly impossible—property prices keep climbing, and the market simply can’t meet demand.
Officials explain the new measure as necessary for organizing urban space and ensuring safety. However, for those already living in motorhomes, the decision has been a real blow. People fear they will now have to leave their habitual spots and search for new, even less comfortable living conditions. At the same time, the debate has once again raised the issue of affordable housing in the Balearic Islands and the urgent need for long-term solutions.
The affordable housing crisis in Palma is worsening every year. Rising property and rental prices are forcing more and more families to seek alternative living arrangements. New measures introduced by the city council could put some residents in an even more vulnerable position. Public debate is ongoing: some support stricter regulations, while others argue that the city should offer real alternatives to those who have been left behind by the housing market.
