Strict new laws to clamp down on excessive drinking and restrict alcohol sales have been introduced in Majorca and Ibiza.
Restrictions will apply to Magaluf and Arenal in Majorca plus the west end of Ibiza’s San Antonio following the passing of new legislation by the Balearic Islands government. The rules will be in place for five years.
Among the changes are a ban on open bars, happy hours “or similar”; self-service drink dispensers and off-licences selling alcohol will shut between 9.30pm and 8am.
Pub crawls and “alcohol routes” will be prohibited in the areas affected, while dangerous practices like balcony jumping will be banned across the Balearics, with offenders expelled from accommodation immediately.
For the next two years, the advertising of party boats in the three resorts will also be banned and boats will not be able to pick up or return customers to these areas. No new licences will be issued in this period.
Offences will be met with fines starting at €6,000 and reaching €60,000.
The rules identify “very serious offences” as including “the sale of alcoholic beverages after permitted hours; offering alcoholic beverages in open bars, happy hours or 2 for 1 and 3 for 1 offers; keeping alcohol dispensers; selling alcohol to minors; advertising or conducting pub crawls or alcohol excursions or committing two serious offences in six months”.
In all-inclusive properties, alcoholic drinks will be limited to six per day (three during lunch and three during evening). These limits will apply only for packages booked after the legislation comes into effect.
The Balearic Islands government said it was cracking down “with the aim of forcing real change”. It added: “This is the first standard adopted throughout Europe, which restricts the promotion and sale of alcohol in certain tourist areas.”