Buying a property in the Balearic Islands just got a lot more difficult and a lot more complicated, because now that the UK has left the EU, British investors will need permission from the Ministry of Defence to buy a home in Mallorca or any of the other Balearic Islands, according to a report in Spanish national daily, El Pais.
Besides all the usual administrative formalities of buying property, they will also have to provide a Criminal Record Certificate and a Housing Plan and all requests will have to be processed through the General Command of the Balearics or the Captaincy General of Barcelona.
The President of the Association of Real Estate Developers of the Balearics, or Proinba, Lluís Martí says there’s deep concern in the Balearic Real Estate Sector.
"This law will limit the number of Britons looking to buy a second home in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera,” he said. “These obstacles will definitely limit real estate investment in the Islands, which doesn’t help in the current climate.”
The College of Registrars of the Balearics is well aware of the procedures which require any British investor to have Defence Department authorisation to buy real estate in any coastal Municipality of the Balearics.
The only exceptions for non-EU investors are the Swiss and Norwegians, whose countries have an agreement with the EU, according to the College of Registrars, who've been involved in citizenship proceedings for British nationals for the last six years.
"British citizens can achieve nationality if they’ve been living in the Balearic Islands for ten years, which usually takes 3-6 months to process, but with the pandemic everything has changed,” they said.
Around 200 homes in the Balearic Islands are bought by British investors every year, according to Proinba.
Pharmacies
‘Brexit’ also affects prescriptions issued by doctors in the UK, which are no longer valid for dispensation in Spain.
The Spanish Medicines Agency says channels of consultation are being made available to pharmacists in order to minimise the impact of ‘Brexit’.
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Most commentators below are correct. It’s nothing to worry about if you look closely at the law, and nothing new. What’s more worrying: the Ultima Hora comments, many negative (of the Guiri go home variety). They just don’t seem to want us here, in spite of all their other problems. Like many of you I pay my high taxes and have been a resident for years. We contribute. In my experience, with the notable exception of farmers in the sticks, we are not welcome here. Meanwhile, I constantly laugh at the reference to Mallorca as ‘paradise.’ Yes, it’s arguably one of the best places in Europe to retire to. But what with crime, Effluent-infested beaches, drugs, the government’s mis-management in general, it is hardly that. I could go on...
Spain needs to get a grip of this situation quickly. There are many other countries that will jump on the profits possible from welcoming brits Portugal Turkey and Greece to name but three!!!
Sounds like you deserve everything that’s coming your way Spain will be as bad as venizuela soon you’ll all have nothing
This rule was current back in the 50’s and 60’s and possibly later. Anyone building a property with a sea view had to apply and be given military approval. Probably just another way to raise sorely needed funds. I would imagine that it only applies to the original buyer and only to stand alone properties. Personally I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s just another tax.
This simply relates to property in rural land / plots not urban. It is not retrospective...it is also likely to be amended in the near future
The specific update extract from the .gov website from my previous comment. In some parts of Spain, the peripheral land surrounding a military base is considered ‘restricted’ under Spanish law, and specific rules may apply when buying, selling or carrying out construction work on properties located in these areas. Our current understanding is that, from 1 January 2021, UK nationals who wish to buy property in these areas will be required to meet third country national requirements and request a military permit from the Spanish Ministry of Defence prior to purchase. As with all property transactions, we strongly recommend you seek specialised legal advice from a lawyer who can advise and support you through the process and, if necessary, request the military authorization on your behalf. See list of English speaking lawyers in Spain. We are currently seeking further guidance from the Spanish authorities on this matter and will update the above guidance as necessary in due course.
I hope there is some confusion here... This is the latest update from the .gov website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-buy-property-in-spain?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=887a61d9-bbcd-4223-be7e-d9c71a3fac9e&utm_content=immediately
Does this apply to British residents who already own a property in Mallorca but are in the process of selling their finca to buy a flat on the coast?
Every post Brexit article that appears seems to reinforce the notion that the British are no longer welcome in Spain. How very sad.
Since British buyers have been a substantial proportion of buyers in the Balearic Islands - expect a property price crash then. The Government currently seems he’ll bent on destroying the local economy here. Who on earth is advising them? The mind boggles. What will they do next???