Menorca demands EU island rules to protect homes

Menorca is pressing the EU to build special island safeguards into a proposed housing law, saying tourism, limited land and demand from outside are making homes harder to access. On 15 September, Més per Menorca called for the island’s circumstances to be recognised explicitly. The European Commission presented its proposal for an affordable housing law on 9 September.

The proposed framework could allow national and local authorities to limit home purchases by non-residents or impose tighter rules on tourist rentals. Més per Menorca says those powers will mean little if the conditions for using them are beyond the reach of the islands that need them most.

Island pressure on housing

General coordinator Esteve Barceló said the law backs policies his party has argued for over many years. But he said an island cannot be judged by the same standards as a mainland territory when it seeks restrictions on non-resident buyers or tourist lets.

The party argues that Menorca’s heavy dependence on tourism, pressure on the residential market and its limited territory make the housing crisis especially severe. It wants Menorca and other island authorities to have the tools to protect residential homes and give priority to people who live and work there.

Party targets European Parliament talks

The legislative process now moves to the European Parliament. Més per Menorca is working with the European Free Alliance to examine the text and seek changes during its passage.

Its goal is for the final EU affordable housing law to name island status explicitly and provide effective powers for places such as Menorca facing intense tourism and property pressure.

Topics: Housing · Social affairs · Tourism · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com