Formentera gets €10m as child protection cases soar

Formentera’s island council is set to receive up to €10 million as the number of children needing council guardianship rises sharply. The direct grant from the Balearic Ministry of Families, Social Welfare and Dependency Care is intended to support families, safeguard social rights and fund protection for under-18s. By 21 July 2026, the island’s Childhood and Family Service had logged 164 new guardianship cases.

The ministry says exceptional demand in the council’s social welfare department has forced money away from other services and responsibilities, disrupting its day-to-day work.

Guardianship workload more than doubles

The 164 new cases compare with 66 in the same period of 2025 — a rise of 148.5 per cent. The Consell de Formentera is currently handling 230 guardianship files.

If the trend continues, the council expects to hold guardianship for more than 400 children by the end of the year. Its original social welfare budget is no longer enough to meet the demand.

Spending races beyond the budget

For 2026, the council had set aside €860,000 for running costs in social welfare. By 10 May, however, accumulated spending had already reached €3.6 million.

The council forecasts costs of around €10.5 million by the end of October, including debt built up by 30 June. The Balearic funding is intended to ease that pressure.

Topics: Social affairs

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com