Bono Alquiler Joven Balearen: How to Apply for the 250 € Rent Subsidy if You're Under 35

You're under 35, renting on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera – and every month the rent swallows up a substantial chunk of your salary. That's exactly what the Bono Alquiler Joven Balearen is designed for: up to €250 per month, paid out over a maximum of two years, giving you a total of up to €6,000. The programme is funded by the Spanish state, regulated under Real Decreto 42/2022, and implemented in the Balearic Islands through a dedicated Convocatoria by the Conselleria de Mobilitat i Habitatge. In this guide you'll find out who is eligible, what documents you need, how the application works step by step, which maximum rent thresholds the Balearic Islands have set – and which mistakes you should absolutely avoid.

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What is the Bono Alquiler Joven – and why does it exist?

The Spanish housing market poses a real challenge for young professionals and adults just starting out: high rents, tight markets in tourist regions, and comparatively low entry-level salaries make moving out a considerable struggle. The average age at which people leave home for the first time in Spain is close to 30 – well above the European average.

In response, the central government launched the Bono Alquiler Joven in 2022 under Real Decreto 42/2022. The programme has since been extended and additionally funded several times: in 2025 alone, according to the Spanish government, a further €200 million was channelled into the programme, which has a total budget of around €800 million.

In the Balearic Islands, the responsible authority is the Conselleria de Mobilitat i Habitatge. The Convocatoria for the islands is governed by Orden 15/2025 of 6 June 2025, under which the Bases Reguladoras and the current call for applications were approved. In the first completed round, the Balearic Islands had, according to available data, over 1,200 beneficiaries, with approximately €6.7 million allocated for this purpose.

Please note: The new Plan Estatal de Vivienda 2026–2030 provides for a future increase to up to €300 per month over a maximum of four years. At the time of writing, submission under the new plan was scheduled for summer 2026; the Convocatoria currently running in the Balearic Islands continues to be based on the terms of €250 / 24 months.

Who can apply for the Bono Alquiler Joven Balearen?

Personal eligibility criteria

The core requirements are set out in Real Decreto 42/2022; the Balearic Islands have adjusted certain parameters – in particular the maximum rent thresholds – upwards, as the decree expressly permits.

Property-related limits in the Balearic Islands

The state permits the autonomous communities to raise the base limit of 600 € (whole property) or 300 € (room) to up to 900 € or 450 € respectively. The Balearic Islands make full use of this flexibility:

Please note: If your rent exceeds these limits by even one euro, you are excluded from the benefit — regardless of how low your income is. The limit refers to the net rent agreed in the tenancy agreement.

Income calculation: what counts?

The income basis is generally the tax assessment (declaración de la renta) for the preceding year. If you have not yet submitted one or are only just starting work, ask the relevant authority about the accepted forms of evidence — there is scope for individual consideration here.

What documents do you need?

Submitting a complete set of documents saves you follow-up queries and delays. The following list is based on the requirements of the Balearic Convocatoria:

Please note: All documents must be valid at the time of application. Pay particular attention to having a current Empadronamiento – in practice, this is the most common reason for rejection.

How to apply for the benefit: step by step

The administration and payment of the Bono Alquiler Joven rests entirely with the Balearic authorities; the application is not processed via a national platform but through the Balearic housing authority.

1. Gather your documents – Prepare all documents from the table above; have copies certified where indicated.
2. Check the Convocatoria – Verify whether the current call for applications is open. The Bases Reguladoras were adopted under Orden 15/2025 of 6 June 2025; deadlines for the individual application phases are published in the Balearic Official Gazette (BOIB).
3. Submit your application – The responsible authority is the Conselleria de Mobilitat i Habitatge. Applications can generally be submitted online via the Seu Electrònica of the Balearic Government (govern.ib.es) or in person at the relevant offices.
4. Have completeness confirmed – After submission you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Any missing documents must be provided within the stipulated deadline, otherwise the application will be rejected.
5. Await the decision – Processing takes several weeks to months depending on the volume of applications. The decision (resolución) will inform you whether your application has been approved or refused.
6. Payment – The allowance is paid monthly in arrears from the approved date, usually directly into your nominated bank account. Make sure your bank details are correctly registered.
7. Annual renewal / proof of eligibility – Where applicable, you must demonstrate that the conditions continue to be met (active tenancy agreement, place of residence, income thresholds).

Tip for residents of Palma: PalmaJove (Carrer Sant Pere 6, Palma) offers free initial advice and can help you check your eligibility before you submit your application.

Where exactly do you submit the application in the Balearic Islands?

Please note: Check current opening hours and appointment availability directly with the Conselleria. Offices on the islands frequently operate by appointment only.

What happens after approval?

The benefit runs for a maximum of 24 months. During this period, the following applies:

• You must remain registered at the subsidised address and live there.
• The tenancy agreement must remain active; a change of tenant or moving out can lead to payments being stopped.
• Your income must not permanently exceed the threshold of 3× IPREM.
• If your circumstances change (moving, a pay rise, purchasing a property), you are obliged to notify the relevant authority – failure to do so risks recovery of payments.
• Once the 24 months have elapsed, the benefit ends; no automatic extension is provided for. The planned new Plan Estatal 2026–2030 may introduce different conditions in the future.

Bono Alquiler Joven and tax returns

The benefit received is, as a general rule, to be treated as a public subsidy in Spain. This has two consequences:

1. IRPF liability: Subsidies for residential rent may be subject to tax depending on your personal circumstances. Have this checked by a tax adviser.
2. No double funding: You cannot combine the Bono simultaneously with other state benefits for the same rent that overlap.

You can find more on the tax and legal aspects of living on the islands in our overview of Taxes & Law.

Bono Alquiler Joven vs. other housing benefits in the Balearic Islands

The Bono Alquiler Joven is not the only support available to you as a young person in the Balearic Islands. A brief overview:

If you are looking to buy rather than rent in the medium term, it is worth taking a look at the First-time buyer purchase assistance in the Balearen or the Hipoteca Joven Mallorca.

Most common mistakes when applying

These pitfalls most frequently lead to rejection or unnecessary delays in the Balearen:

1. Empadronamiento missing or out of date – It must show your rental address, not your parents' address. Make sure you have re-registered before you submit your application.
2. Rental contract is not in your name – You must be listed as a contracting party. An informal subletting agreement without a clearly stated rent amount is not sufficient.
3. Rent exceeds the limit by even just a few euros – No exceptions. If your rent is just above the limit, check whether utility costs are listed separately in the contract.
4. Proof of income missing or incomplete – Anyone who has not yet submitted a tax return should clarify in advance which alternative documents will be accepted.
5. Application submitted outside the deadline – The Convocatoria does not run continuously; submissions outside the published application window will not be considered.
6. Double funding – Simultaneously receiving other state rental subsidies for the same property will result in recovery of funds.
7. No digital certificate / no Cl@ve – To submit your application online, you need a valid digital identification method. Apply for one in good time.

What comes next? Steps to take after the subsidy

24 months go by faster than you might think. Make active use of the funding period:

• Build up savings: €250 less in monthly rent means more room to save – ideally towards a future property purchase.
• Build your credit profile: Regular rental payments and bank statements document reliable payment behaviour – relevant for future mortgage applications.
• Explore first-time buyer schemes: Once the rental subsidy ends, you may be eligible for reduced ITP rates on a purchase or state guarantees – find out more under ITP Balearen 2026.
• Keep an eye on the next Convocatoria: The planned Plan Estatal de Vivienda 2026–2030 provides for up to €300 per month over four years. Once the Balearic Convocatoria opens for this, a follow-on programme could be an option.

Checklist: Am I ready to apply?

Go through these points before submitting your application:

• I am between 18 and 35 years old
• I have my primary residence legally registered in Spain
• My Empadronamiento shows the rental address (not my parents' home)
• I am listed as the tenant in the tenancy agreement
• The net cold rent is no more than €900 (flat) or €450 (room)
• My annual income is below €24.318,84 (3× IPREM)
• I do not own any residential property in Spain
• All rent payments are up to date – no arrears
• I have valid proof of income (previous year's tax return or equivalent)
• I have an active digital certificate or am registered with Cl@ve
• The current Convocatoria in the Balearen is open (check BOIB)

Conclusion

The Bono Alquiler Joven Balearen is one of the most concrete and accessible rental assistance schemes available to young adults on the islands: up to 250 Euro per month, for up to 24 months, with no repayment obligation — provided all conditions are met. The Balearic implementation is more generous than many other regions, as the rent ceiling has been raised to 900 Euro (or 450 Euro for rooms). The key is to submit your application within the open Convocatoria, ensure your Empadronamiento is correct, and confirm that your tenancy agreement meets the formal requirements. Those who attend to these fundamentals stand a good chance of being approved.

Official Sources

• Real Decreto 42/2022, de 18 de enero – Legal basis of the Bono Alquiler Joven: boe.es
• Orden 15/2025, de 6 de junio – Balearic Bases Reguladoras and current Convocatoria: BOIB (Butlletí Oficial de les Illes Balears): boib.caib.es
• Conselleria de Mobilitat i Habitatge (Govern de les Illes Balears): govern.ib.es
• Seu Electrònica Balearen (online application): seu.caib.es
• PalmaJove – Advisory Centre Palma: palmajove.es – Carrer Sant Pere 6, Palma
• La Moncloa / Ministerio de Vivienda – Programme information: lamoncloa.gob.es
• Plan Estatal de Vivienda 2026–2030 (preview): mivau.gob.es