A crackdown on tax evasion by holiday property owners in Spain could see the worst offenders have their rentals shut, potentially affecting thousands of tourists.
The government of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago off the east coast of Spain which includes Ibiza and Mallorca, has passed a decree which will permit local councils to shut down holiday rentals such as tourist apartments and villas whose landlords do not comply with the country's mandatory tourist tax
According to one report, there has been a near 10% increase in the number of holiday lets in Spain in the past year. Only last weekend, a 10,000-strong crowd of protesters took to the streets of Mallorca - the largest island of the Balearics - demanding "immediate measures" from the government to tackle tourist overcrowding.
The demonstrators are also campaigning for legislation that would restrict foreign nationals from buying property in the Balearic Islands - encompassing Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera - unless they've resided there for a minimum of five years.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Santander's profit rises as Spain offsets UK weaknessSantander has today posted an 11% rise in first-quarter net profit as Spain led a solid retail banking performance in Europe that offset weakness in Britain and higher provisions.
Read more »
Fair City's Mark Asante jetted to Spain with wife and kids for his 50th birthdayMy Best: The actor, who plays Carrigstown's Victor, opens about his favourite memory, book and movie - and he reveals he missed out on a family cruise after landing his role on Fair City
Read more »
What will €275,000 buy in Japan, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas and Carrick-on-Shannon?A studio in Ibiza, a geodesic dome in Eleuthera, a ski cabin in Rena, a condo in Chiba or a converted farmhouse in Battlebridge
Read more »
Arrest warrant issued for Kinahan gangster who jumped bail in SpainThe thug, who is in his 30s, was held last month along with another suspect after a gunman got off a motorbike and fired around 15 shots through the windows of an upscale restaurant in Marbella at lunchtime on March 11
Read more »
Spain speaks out after Eurovision journalist claims he's 'never felt so unsafe'Tensions continue to mount around the Eurovision Song Contest as one Spanish journalist has issued concerns for his safety on location in Sweden, prompting a drastic response.
Read more »
Irish holidaymakers in Spain warned about new alcohol rules in popular resortsIrish tourists heading to Spain are being warned about alcohol restrictions that were approved last week and impact two popular destinations. The new rules are being enforced with hefty fines of up to €3,000.
Read more »