Mallorca public housing: Sóller's 18-year residency rule

On Mallorca, anyone seeking a publicly supported home in Sóller must prove 18 years of residency. On Wednesday 14 October, the Balearic government defends its residency rules for public housing and certain benefits despite a warning about lengthy requirements under European Union (EU) law. That warning comes from Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for home affairs and migration, in a reply to a Compromís member of the European Parliament reported by Última Hora.

Brunner says EU rules do not allow member states to demand more than five years of residency, because a longer requirement could discriminate against foreigners. Balearic government spokesman Antoni Costa says the EU does not challenge its five-year legal residency requirement for public housing. In Sóller, though, the requirement is 18 years.

Costa acknowledges that very long requirements could eventually cause problems with the EU. He says time spent living in a place could instead count in an applicant’s favour without ruling others out.

MÉS per Mallorca draws a different conclusion. Its parliamentary spokesman, Lluís Apesteguia, says Brunner’s response supports his party’s bill to limit home purchases by non-residents and undermines Vox’s proposed preference based on nationality. The commissioner’s reported reply does not address the MÉS bill.

Topics: Housing · Politics · Sóller

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com