Mallorca retailers warn red tape plan could favour rivals

On Mallorca, in Spain’s Balearic Islands, shops could lose out if rivals’ claims go unchecked: a trade federation warns that a plan to cut red tape risks giving some businesses an unfair edge. In Palma on 21 October 2026, Afedeco, the Balearics’ largest retail federation, says it has lodged objections to the regional government’s draft order. The plan aims to speed up business procedures through declarations made by businesses themselves and advance notifications.

Afedeco supports simpler procedures, but says the authorities must be able to check those declarations and inspect businesses. It is particularly concerned that a declaration could allow one shop to operate under different or exceptional conditions from others. Without effective checks, the federation says, that could create uncertainty over the rules and give some firms an improper advantage.

Afedeco president Joana Manresa says a business that meets all its obligations should not be worse off than one whose claims have not been properly checked. Before replacing any requirement for prior approval, the federation wants proof that the authorities have enough resources to carry out checks afterwards. It also says less paperwork must not mean dropping existing rules on commerce, land use or town planning.

Topics: Politics · Economy · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com