Taxis in Mallorca: fares, permitted surcharges and your rights

Anyone living on Mallorca or visiting frequently will sooner or later end up in a taxi – from the airport home, late at night back to the village from Palma, or simply because the car is in the workshop. The good news: since Decreto 20/2025, an island-wide standardised reference tariff has applied for the first time, making prices more transparent. The bad news: not every driver sticks to it, and many holidaymakers as well as newly arrived residents don't know their rights. In this guide you'll learn which taxi tariffs officially apply on Mallorca in 2026, which surcharges are actually permitted, why luggage is generally carried free of charge, and how to complain if the bill doesn't add up.

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The new standard tariff since Decreto 20/2025

Until recently, practically every municipality on Mallorca set its own taxi tariffs – Palma differently from Manacor, Manacor differently from Alcúdia. This led to confusion, especially on journeys crossing municipal boundaries. With Decreto 20/2025, published in the BOIB on 24 May 2025, the Balearic government introduced an island-wide reference tariff, which Palma and more than 20 other municipalities have adopted.

The principle behind it is simple: a base fare when getting in (Bajada de bandera), a price per kilometre driven, and a separate, higher rate for nights, weekends and public holidays. Waiting time – for example in traffic or while you quickly run an errand – is charged additionally, with the exact amount varying depending on the municipality.

Note: Municipalities that haven't joined the scheme may still have slightly different tariffs. However, the mechanics – base fare, price per km, day/night rate – remain comparable everywhere.

Basic tariffs at a glance: day and night rates

The reference tariff distinguishes two main levels: the standard rate during the day on weekdays, and the increased rate for nights, weekends and public holidays. Both figures are as of 2025/2026 and serve as guidance – the actual display on the taxi meter is always the definitive one.

Which tariff is currently running is shown by a small digital display on the taxi meter – usually clearly visible on the dashboard or in the display itself. If it shows a "1", you're paying the day tariff; if it shows "2", you're paying the night or public holiday tariff.

Note: Check when you get in whether the taxi meter is running at all. Without a running meter – and without an explicitly agreed fixed price beforehand – you have no reliable basis for judging a fair price.

Permitted surcharges: What can legitimately be charged?

This is where most misunderstandings arise. There are indeed a few legal surcharges in Mallorca – but they're clearly limited and must not be multiplied at will.

Important: The airport or harbour surcharge is charged once per journey – regardless of whether there are two or four of you in the taxi and how many suitcases you have with you. If the surcharge is charged multiple times because "each suitcase costs extra", this is not legitimate practice but an inflated bill.

Luggage travels free – the most expensive misconception

This is the most important consumer fact in this guide: there is no legal luggage surcharge on Mallorca. Neither the first suitcase nor the second or third officially costs extra. The same applies to:

• Pushchairs
• Wheelchairs
• Guide dogs and other recognised assistance dogs

These aids and companions must be transported free of charge.

Note: If a driver presses the surcharge button on the taximeter separately for each suitcase, a price results that has nothing to do with the official tariff any more. If in doubt, ask directly: "¿Por qué hay un suplemento por cada maleta?"

Taxi from Palma Airport (PMI): prices and taxi ranks

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is many people's first contact with the Balearic taxi system. Directly in front of the terminal are official taxi ranks – only licensed, metered vehicles wait here. The recommendation from Aena and local operators is clear: only get in at these official ranks, not with people who approach you in the arrivals hall.

As rough guide prices for the route Airport–Palma centre (approx. 10 km, approx. 15 minutes' journey time, as of 2025/2026):

These prices are guide values including the airport surcharge and may vary slightly depending on traffic, exact address and driver. For very short distances from the airport, the minimum fare of approx. 16.95 € applies.

As an alternative to a taxi, lines A1 (Palma–Airport) and A2 of the municipal bus company offer a significantly cheaper but less flexible connection – useful especially without much luggage or on a tight budget.

Taxi or Uber in Mallorca: which is really cheaper?

One of the most common questions is: is Uber cheaper than a taxi? The answer is simple, but surprising to many: in Palma, Uber exclusively connects you with licensed, metered taxis – not an independent low-cost ride service with its own fleet, as in many other European cities. In concrete terms, this means:

• The fare is the same as with a taxi hailed on the street.
• The difference lies in how you book: app convenience, an upfront price estimate and, in some cases, cashless payment without any haggling at the door.
• You shouldn't expect a systematic price advantage with Uber – fares are based on the same official taximeter.

For anyone new to the island who is still unsure about dealing with Spanish administration and everyday organisation, using the app can nevertheless be practical: it provides price transparency before the journey even begins.

Your rights as a passenger

As a taxi customer in Mallorca, you have a number of clearly defined rights that apply regardless of the driver:

Note: Always ask for a Factura if you doubt a fare. Without a receipt, it's very difficult to substantiate a complaint later on.

Filing a complaint: step by step

If you have the impression that you've been overcharged, the process is straightforward – provided you've gathered the necessary evidence.

1. Secure the receipt: At the end of the journey, ask for the Factura showing the taxi's licence number, date, time and amount.
2. Note down the details: Record the starting point and destination, the route taken, and any surcharges that seemed unusual to you.
3. Take a photo: A photo of the taximeter at the end of the journey can serve as additional evidence.
4. Submit a complaint: Submit the complaint with the Factura to the relevant Ajuntament (local council) or to the Consell de Mallorca, which coordinates the island's taxi tariffs.
5. Wait for confirmation: You should receive an acknowledgement of receipt for your complaint.

Most common mistakes

• Getting into non-official vehicles: Especially at the airport, people sometimes approach travellers away from the official taxi ranks – the rule here is: only get in at the designated ranks.
• Accepting multiple luggage surcharges: There is no legal surcharge per suitcase – don't let anyone sell you that as "normal".
• Not asking for a receipt: Without a Factura, a later complaint is hardly enforceable.
• Not checking the taximeter: Check right at the start of the journey whether the taximeter is running and which tariff (1 or 2) is displayed.
• Misunderstanding Uber as a general budget ride service: In Palma these are the same metered vehicles – the price is usually no different.

What comes next? Everyday life with and without a taxi on Mallorca

Those who live permanently on Mallorca will usually use taxis as a supplement to their own vehicle – for example for airport transfers, going out late in the evening, or when the car is in the workshop. For anyone considering getting their own car, it's worth taking a look at the topics registering a car in Spain, car insurance Spain and, should it ever come to a fine, fines in Spain. Anyone travelling around Palma should also be familiar with the rules of the ZBE Palma low-emission zone, which can also affect journeys into the city centre.

For general budget planning as a resident, the cost of living Mallorca as well as a look at the section Living & Everyday Life.

You can find licensed taxi companies in Palma listed in our Business Directory (Taxi Palma). And if you're travelling around more often, it's worth taking a look at buses and trains: Our Public Transport Guide explains fares, cards and the free-of-charge rule for residents.

Checklist for your next taxi ride

• Ordered at an official taxi rank or via a reputable app/phone
• Taximeter starts running immediately after boarding (except with a pre-agreed fixed price)
• Displayed tariff (1 = day, 2 = night/public holiday) matches the time of day
• Airport/harbour surcharge charged only once, not per person or suitcase
• Luggage, pushchair, wheelchair or guide dog carried free of charge
• Factura requested at the end of the journey and kept
• Electronic payment was possible

Conclusion

Taxi travel in Mallorca remains moderately priced by European standards and has become more transparent since Decreto 20/2025 introduced the island-wide reference tariff. The vast majority of drivers charge correctly – the base fare, per-kilometre rate and the few permitted surcharges are clearly regulated. What matters for you as a passenger is knowing the mechanics: the taxameter obligation, a single rather than multiple airport surcharge, and the certainty that luggage is carried free of charge as a rule. With a receipt in hand, any billing can be checked in exceptional cases – and, if necessary, disputed with the Consell de Mallorca or the responsible Ajuntament.

Official sources

• BOIB, Decreto 20/2025 (24.05.2025) — https://www.caib.es/eboibfront/
• Consell de Mallorca, taxi tariffs — https://www.conselldemallorca.cat
• Aena, information on taxis at Palma Airport — https://www.aena.es