More than thirty years ago, Fran moved to Ibiza from Murcia, hoping to build a new life. Everything went fairly smoothly until two years ago, when he was forced to leave his rented apartment. The rent had become so high that it was impossible to keep paying. Fran recalls paying €1,200 a month, without any official contract, which prevented him from claiming tax deductions. As a result, even the tax authorities believed he was earning more than he actually was.
The housing situation on the island has worsened every year. Two-bedroom apartments have become a luxury, and now it’s nearly impossible to find anything affordable. Searching for a solution, Fran bought a camper van so he wouldn’t lose his job at one of Ibiza’s top hotels in the north. He soon realized he wasn’t alone—many of his colleagues made the same choice, as there simply aren’t any alternatives.
Recently, new rules came into force on the island restricting the entry and long-term parking of motorhomes, vans, and caravans—especially if they’re not registered in the Balearic Islands. It’s now forbidden to leave such vehicles in public parking areas, either in town or outside it. Workers who used to live right in the hotel car parks are now forced to find other options. Most have moved onto friends’ private land, where they’re allowed to stay temporarily.
In Fran’s case, hotel management provided a separate, secluded parking area for staff. About twenty people now live there, fully equipping their camper vans for comfortable living. For the hotel, this was a matter of necessity: losing staff at the height of the tourist season would have been a disaster.
However, even this compromise doesn’t solve all the problems. The authorities suggest moving into official campsites, but there are only five on the island, and all of them are overcrowded. Moreover, monthly rent can reach up to €1,800 — an amount most workers simply cannot afford. To make matters worse, the rules state that you can’t stay in one spot for more than three consecutive months, which makes year-round living impossible for those who work on the island.
Fran and his colleagues feel trapped: on one hand, the tourism industry relies on them, but on the other, they get little support and are forced to look for unconventional solutions. Many believe local authorities have offered no real alternatives, and that new laws have only made things worse. As a result, workers feel isolated and even persecuted, as their way of life is now effectively banned.
