Ibiza Caps Tourist Vehicle Access for Summer 2025 to Boost Sustainability and Ease Overcrowding

Starting June 1 through September 30, 2025, Spain’s world-famous island of Ibiza has enacted a strict cap on tourist vehicles, limiting the number of non-resident cars and caravans to 20,000 per day. The move, aimed at curbing overtourism, easing traffic congestion, and supporting environmental sustainability, is the latest in a broader set of Balearic Islands tourism reforms backed by local and national government bodies.

The measure was formally introduced by the Consell Insular d’Eivissa (Ibiza Island Council) and aligns with regional goals outlined in the Balearic Islands’ Tourism Strategy Agency (AETIB) and Spain’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, which seeks to rebalance the nation’s tourism model toward environmental resilience, local well-being, and smart mobility.

According to an official statement published by El Periodico de Ibiza y Formentera and confirmed by the Balearic Islands Government:

These new rules are enforced through a digital permit system coordinated by the Consell Insular’s Department of Mobility and Transport, in collaboration with ferry operators, car rental firms, and municipal traffic services.

Ibiza, with a year-round population of just 150,000 residents, annually welcomes over 3.6 million tourists, according to figures from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) and the Balearic Institute of Statistics (IBESTAT). This influx puts immense pressure on infrastructure, traffic systems, and natural ecosystems—especially during the summer high season.

Data from the Balearic transport department shows that:

Vicent Marí, President of the Ibiza Island Council, defended the new restrictions:

Marí also acknowledged that the new rules faced resistance from powerful tourism operators, particularly car rental agencies and large hospitality investors. However, he stressed that economic interest must not override ecological limits and local capacity.

The system charges a small daily fee and issues electronic permits to visitors, with strict controls on camping and road usage. Early evaluations showed a 15% reduction in summer traffic, improved air quality, and greater visitor satisfaction.

Likewise, Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, has announced plans to introduce vehicle access limits by 2026, pending final approval from the Balearic Ministry of Mobility and Housing.

Ibiza’s restrictions are grounded in Decree-Law 3/2023 of the Balearic Islands, which grants island councils the authority to regulate mobility in response to environmental or tourism-related emergencies.

The law also enables the integration of enforcement technologies such as:

Non-compliant vehicles may face fines ranging from €300 to €1,000, according to the latest regional legislation published in the Butlletí Oficial de les Illes Balears (BOIB).

Spain remains the world’s second-most visited country, drawing in 94 million tourists in 2023, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Of those, 19 million visited the Balearic Islands, making it one of the most congested tourist zones in Europe during the summer.

The shift toward sustainability does not aim to reduce tourist numbers altogether but to manage flows more evenly throughout the year, promoting:

To this end, the Balearic government has also ramped up investment in low-emission buses, bike-sharing infrastructure, and green walking trails, co-funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan.

Travelers planning to visit Ibiza with their own vehicle or by renting on the island must be aware of the following procedures:

The Ibiza initiative reflects a broader European trend toward destination carrying capacity management, echoed by other popular tourist destinations such as:

These policies align with EU Tourism Transition Pathway Goals, which advocate for a data-driven, community-inclusive, and environmentally responsible tourism industry.

As pressure mounts on global tourist hotspots, Ibiza’s bold move to limit vehicle traffic during peak travel months marks a decisive shift from passive growth to active stewardship. Though controversial, the 2025 restrictions seek to restore balance between tourism and territory, ensuring the island remains a welcoming, livable, and vibrant place for generations to come.

As Vicent Marí concluded:

For travelers, the message is clear: Ibiza is still open—but on the island’s terms.