San Antonio Introduce Stricter Alcohol Laws to Combat Excessive Tourism

The Balearic Islands in Spain are preparing to introduce stricter laws on alcohol consumption in order to combat “excessive tourism”.

Under the expanded law, which will come into force on Saturday, May 11, popular areas such as San Antonio in Ibiza, Playa de Palma, and Magaluf in Majorca will be subject to new sanctions regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol.

People caught drinking outside authorized areas could face fines ranging from €500 to €1,500 (£430 to £1,290), according to a BBC report published yesterday (on May 10). Offenders can also expect to be reported to their respective embassies.

There will also be a total ban on the sale of alcohol between 9:30 pm and 8 am in party hotspots, expanding on previous legislation passed by the Balearic government almost four years ago. The new decree, which is expected to be enforced until at least December 2027, was reportedly pushed at the request of local authorities.

Luis Pomar, a press officer at the Balearic Islands Tourism Council, told the BBC that it is hoped the harsher rules will help curb “anti-social behavior.”

He added that he hoped the legislation would no longer be needed “in three to four years, if we instill in people how to behave.”

The law also introduces stricter rules against party boats, which will be banned from getting closer than one nautical mile (1.852 km) to the sanctioned areas, as well as picking up or disembarking passengers within them.

In addition to the new decree, the Balearic government has reportedly pledged €16 million to improve tourist hotspots in the region.

Regulations to curb anti-social behavior on the Balearic Islands have been in place since 2022, with bans now being considered for drunk British tourists who break the rules.

Earlier this year, tourists arriving in Ibiza without proof of accommodation were warned they could be fined up to €10,000, according to a new rule set by Spanish authorities.