Mallorca councils seek state cash for island allowances

Mallorca councils could face a bill running to tens of millions of euros a year if island allowances for their staff are updated without state funding, Ara Més says. The coalition launched its proposal on Friday in Es Mercadal, Menorca. It wants the state to cover the added cost from the second half of 2026.

Ara Més says the extra payments recognise the higher costs linked to island life, including housing, travel, transport and providing public services. But it argues that town halls and island councils should not have to cut money for public services or raise taxes to meet the bill.

State already updated its own staff payments

The state has updated residence payments for its own public-sector staff posted to the Balearic Islands. Ara Més says the same recognition should extend to employees delivering services run by municipalities and island councils.

Vicenç Vidal, MÉS per Mallorca’s member of Congress, said the state should also meet the costs created for local and island administrations when it recognises the extra expense of living and working on the islands.

The coalition stresses that it supports higher island allowances for public employees. Its objection is to forcing councils to choose between paying the allowances and keeping public services funded.

Funding sought from late 2026

Under the proposal, the state mechanism would cover the second half of 2026 and future years. It would be revised annually according to the value of the allowances and the number of staff affected.

Noemí Garcia of Més per Menorca, speaking in the Island Council, warned that councils already face higher structural costs than other territories while having limited financial capacity. Without extra money, she said, their ability to maintain and improve services could be put at risk.

Manacor mayor Miquel Oliver called for municipalities and island councils across the Balearics to take a common position before the state. He said town halls could not carry the cost alone.

Topics: Politics · Manacor · Algaida

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com