Lawyers in Balearic Islands

Legal help in the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands (Illes Balears) are an autonomous community made up of four main islands — Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera — and form one province. The capital is Palma on Mallorca; Calvià is another large municipality on the island. Catalan and Spanish are the two official languages.

The lawyers on this page have their offices on Mallorca. Many matters on the other islands can be handled by phone, e-mail and video, or through a Power of Attorney, so the distance is rarely a reason not to choose a lawyer.

What is specific to the Balearic Islands

• Civil law of their own — the islands have their own civil law, which covers inheritance and some family property rules for people with Balearic civil status, and differs between Mallorca and Menorca on one side and Ibiza and Formentera on the other. Whether it applies to you is a question for your lawyer.
• Which law governs an inheritance — under the EU succession regulation a person can, in a will, choose the law of their nationality to govern their inheritance. Whether that suits your case depends on your assets and your family.
• Holiday lets — tourist rentals are regulated by the island councils and the municipalities, and the rules vary from place to place and are strict in some; check them before letting a property.
• Language of documents — official documents may be drawn up in Spanish or Catalan; your lawyer explains them to you in English.

What people usually need a lawyer for in the Balearic Islands

• Property — buying or selling a home and checking its planning status: Property Purchase, Property Sale and Property Law.
• Inheritance and wills — a will that takes account of property on the islands, and settling an estate: Probate Law.
• Residence and the NIE — the NIE and residence permits: Immigration.
• Letting and tax — registration and tax on rental income: Tax Returns & Fiscal Services.

Questions and answers

Can I choose my own country's law for my will?

In many cases yes: the EU succession regulation lets a person choose the law of their nationality for their inheritance, and a will made for a Spanish property normally says so. Your lawyer checks whether it fits your situation and how the will should be worded.

Can I let my property to tourists?

It depends on the island, the municipality and the property: tourist rentals need registration, and some areas and buildings do not allow them at all. Ask before you buy a property for this purpose.