The Spanish island of Ibiza, one of the most popular Mediterranean resorts, is introducing limits on the number of vehicles tourists can bring to the island, according to AFP.
From June 1 to September 30, no more than 20,000 vehicles owned by non-residents will be allowed to enter the island each day. Of those, 16,000 will be rental cars available locally, while the remaining quota is for private vehicles arriving by ferry — and only with prior authorization. The restrictions do not apply to motorcycles.
According to Vicente Marí, head of the island’s government, the measure is intended to ensure the island’s sustainability. Ibiza is home to 150,000 residents but receives around 3.6 million tourists annually. Over the past two decades, the number of vehicles on the island has quadrupled — from 51,000 in 2002 to 207,000 in 2022.
This move is part of a broader effort by Spain to balance the benefits of tourism with the need for affordable housing. The government is also considering raising VAT to 21% on short-term tourist rentals to help curb their growth and ease pressure on the housing market.
