An Expat's Guide to Living in Mallorca

What Is Life Like in Mallorca for Expats?

Much like living in Malta, living in Mallorca really does mean embracing all aspects of the Mediterranean lifestyle. For me, this means a lot of time spent outdoors, enjoying the warm weather and natural beauty of the island.

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Stunning Weather

There’s no denying that the sunshine is one of the most attractive elements about living in Mallorca with temperatures hitting the mid 20’s to mid 30’s on a regular basis. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with almost zero rainfall throughout those months. It usually will only reach a low of 7 degrees all year, which is far different from the consistently cold UK temperatures that I was used to.

The days feel longer with the sun shining throughout most of the day, giving plenty of time to visit the beach or get on with your day to day activities. There are plenty of activities to do that are perfect when accompanied by the Mediterranean sunshine.

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Plenty of Activities

With it being the largest of the Balearic Islands, there’s no surprise that there are plenty of activities to do. If you’re into exciting nightlife, they have it. If you’re into hiking opportunities, they have it. If you’re into relaxation activities, they have it. No matter what your desires are, they will be fulfilled in Mallorca.

Mallorca is very well known for its nightlife scene, with different locations offering different levels of entertainment. The younger generation will be more enticed by the nightclubs and the famous strip in Magaluf, whereas places like Manacor will have more lowkey bars and restaurants for older expats to enjoy a nice meal or drink.

My personal favorite place for activities in Mallorca is Palma Nova, as it offers the best of both worlds as you can find both nice lowkey bars and more lively atmospheres within fairly close proximity to each other. You can also relax on the beach whenever you like.

There are also some unique and interesting activities you can do in Mallorca, such as:

• Golf Fantasia - This tropical themed mini golf course, based in Palma Nova, has three different 18 hole courses for families and groups of friends to enjoy.
• Coves del Drach - These four enchanting caves are open to explore by boat with it ending in a classical music concert that are on a fleet of small rowing boats.
• Explore Fornalutx - Often known as the prettiest village in Spain, Fornalutx is a must-visit for those expats who love rustic and tranquil atmospheres.
• Tren de Sóller - This hour and a half long train journey from Palma to Sóller will offer some of the best mountainous views in all of Mallorca.
• Son Amar Dinner Show - One of the most uniquely spectacular shows you will see, this dinner show combines music, dance and acrobatics to create an amazing extravaganza.

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Pros & Cons of Mallorca Living

Apart from the obvious good weather and array of activities, what are the other pros of relocating to Mallorca? Let’s take a look.

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The Pros

Lucrative Property Market

The property market in Mallorca is booming, with property prices rising by 78 percent since 2015. This rise in price doesn’t look to be halting anytime soon, making property investment on the Spanish island a great idea. 

If you are only wanting to live in Mallorca for a few years, purchasing a property for these years and selling it for a profit once you want to move back home could be the smartest decision.

Great Airline Connections

Mallorca has many airports dotted around the island, making it greatly connected to other parts of the world. This means that you can be living in Mallorca and easily visit other cities or countries while doing so. 

For example, it only takes around one hour to travel to Madrid or Barcelona by airplane. Even if you live in a remote area in Mallorca, there will usually be an airport within an hour of you.

International Schools

Sometimes people worry about moving to a different country with their family, as it could mean taking kids away from their friends and school. Luckily, Mallorca has plenty of international schools that will make it easier for your kids to settle in and make friends in a similar situation. 

The south of the island has the most international school options, with 12 private schools in and around Palma that use a variety of languages, including English.

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The Cons

Bureaucracy

Relocating to Mallorca can take some getting used to, as some tasks take a lot longer than you would expect as Spanish bureaucracy is a real thing. One particular struggle I have faced is sending and receiving parcels, as sometimes you need to sign multiple different documents and even pay tax at the bank. 

People won’t have experienced this if they have been for a short holiday to the island but it is something to consider if you are thinking of moving to Mallorca.

High Cost of Living

Although purchasing property in Mallorca is a great investment opportunity, it can be quite expensive to live on the island. Buying or renting a house or flat isn’t cheap and you need to make sure that you have either good savings or regular money still coming into your bank account. Not to mention that food and drinks can be expensive in a lot of places. 

There is a high unemployment rate in Mallorca, so unless you're moving here with a job already lined up or are here on the new digital nomad visa, you must ensure that you budget accordingly.

Language Barrier

Although the majority of locals in high tourist areas like Palma, Magaluf and Alcudia have good English speaking skills, it is essential that you learn the Spanish language to avoid any language barriers.

Not only will it enhance your experience, but it will also show the locals that you care about their traditions and aren’t just a typical UK tourist. Of course with any language, it can be a lengthy process to become fluent, so starting the learning process before the move should be a priority.

Depending on your goals, I'd recommend the following apps to learn Spanish:

• Drops: Use the free version of this app for 5-minutes of vocab lessons a day. This is good for improving vocab but little else.
• Mondly: If you want to have a little bit more practice, this app is similar to Duolingo but has less silly prompts and more realistic phrases and sentences.
• Babbel: Babbel is similar to Mondly but also teaches cultural tidbits during the language lesson.
• iTalki: If you're more serious about learning to speak Spanish, this platform allows you to have 1:1 or group lessons with native teachers.

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What Are The Best Mallorca Neighborhoods?

The place to live in Mallorca will heavily depend on what type of person you are and what you enjoy. Each place offers something a little different and will attract different types of people.

The beaches are the hotspot for tourists, which can be an appealing location to live but a lot of expats do prefer the quieter places of Mallorca. When I moved to Mallorca, I wanted to be in a place that had a lively atmosphere but I wanted to avoid a lot of the younger tourists that come over for their friend group holidays.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Mallorca neighborhoods to live in.

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Palma de Mallorca

Palma is the hotspot of Mallorca and has the best links to the rest of the island. It is a seafront location on the east coast that has some beautiful properties to choose from, although they are quite expensive the more central you go because it's so highly sought after. The Old Town and Santa Catalina have excellent restaurants and bars to visit that will leave you feeling very satisfied.

📍If you're interested in living in Palma, I recommend you start off at a hotel or vacation rental while you apartment hunt. These are great, well-positioned options:

• Budget Option: AH Art Hotel Palma: Located right in the center of old town, it'll be hard to beat the location here. Just know the true budget options don't really exist during peak season in Palma.
• Mid-Tier Option: Samaritana Suites: The studio and suites here come equipped with a kitchen and enough space to spread out. They're even pet-friendly if you're moving to Mallorca with your furry friend.
• Luxury Option: Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden: While you'll lose out on amenities like a kitchen, if you want to land in style, this is easily one of the best places to stay in Palma.

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Sóller

A very popular living location for older residents, Sóller is a beautiful town with modern architecture and glorious mountains that will keep your eyes entertained. There are pleasant country sides throughout the town, which are great for a morning walk in the sun. Although not located on the coast, this inland town is a quick drive from Port de Sóller. Houses and flats here are much more affordable than the largest cities in Mallorca, making it very popular for expats to live.

📍If you're interested in living in Sóller, I recommend you start off at a hotel or vacation rental while you apartment hunt. These are great, well-positioned options:

• Budget Option: Can Abril: Located just steps from the main square, this charming hotel offers great views of the island's natural beauty and beautiful Mediterranean architecture.
• Mid-Tier Option: Ecocirer Healthy Stay: This hotel also offers mountain views. It has an outdoor swimming pool and the rooms and super cozy, where you'll feel more at a friend's house than a traditional hotel stay.
• Luxury Option: Sa Teulera: Moving to Mallorca with your family? This 2-bedroom villa has plenty of room indoors and out for your new life to begin in style.

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Pollensa

British property buyers are looking to the North of Mallorca for their investments, as places like Pollensa, or Pollença, have affordable housing with plenty of facilities in the area. Due to how compact the center is, there is a great atmosphere all year round with a good range of activities to indulge in. This is another inland town but not too far from the Mediterranean Sea.

📍If you're interested in living in Pollensa, I recommend you start off at a hotel or vacation rental while you apartment hunt. These are great, well-positioned options:

• Budget Option: Desbrull: Moving to Mallorca solo? This quaint hotel is best for single-occupancy rooms.
• Mid-Tier Option: Calvario Plaza Hotel: Enjoy a spacious room in a traditional environment. Although you won't have access to a kitchen, you'll be surrounded by restaurants.
• Luxury Option: Casa Romana: This 3-bedroom home is located in a historic building right in the center of town. It's a great place for your entire family to get a feel for what living in Pollensa is like.

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Santanyí

Famous for its market scene, Santanyí is particularly popular with German expats but there are people from all over Europe that have moved to this rustically beautiful town. Property prices are relatively affordable compared to Palma and Santa Ponsa and they are mostly stone-built townhouses and villas. This small town is located on the complete opposite side of the island from Pollensa.

📍If you're interested in living in Santanyí, I recommend you start off at a hotel or vacation rental while you apartment hunt. These are great, well-positioned options:

• Budget Option: Stadthotel Santanyi: Enjoy a variety of room types and sizes at this semi-affordable spot in this charming town.
• Mid-Tier Option: Can Ferrereta: This hotel is in the center of town and is a beautiful place to settle into life abroad while you house hunt for your long-term stay.
• Luxury Option: Es Campanar: For those moving to Santanyí with their entire family, this villa is large enough for 8 guests and has its own swimming pool.

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Mallorca Visa Options

Lucky for you, Spain has a number of visa options to make moving there doable. Want some assistance understanding the right visa for you and the process to getting it? Rely on a professional service like Moving to Spain. Use code AWAYABROAD10 for 10% at checkout.

There are three main types of visa available for expats who want to live in Spain: Schengen, National, and Golden. Each of these are priced differently and have different benefits for expats. Let’s take a closer look at these visa options.

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Schengen Visa (Short-Term)

The Schengen Visa allows expats to stay in the country for up to 90 days (in any 180-day period) in the Schengen area of Spain. After these 90 days are up, or if you start a job during this time, EU/EEA residents must register for a T.I.E residency card and tax number. Residents from the UK must apply for a residency visa if they wish to stay more than 90 days.

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National Visa (Long-Term)

This visa is for expats who are looking to live in the country for over 90 days. Several types of national visas can be applied for, including:

• Non-Lucrative Residence Visa - For expats who have the financial means to support their living without working there.
• Digital Nomad Visa - For those who work remotely. Previously the non-lucrative visa was used by digital nomads but now this visa exists specifically for them.
• Student Visa - For expats who are looking to study in the country for longer than three months.
• Work Visa - For expats who want to work in Spain.
• Entrepreneur Visa - This is for expats looking to establish a business or invest in one.
• Au Pair Visa - For young expats who will be helping family in exchange for accommodation or board.

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Golden Visa

This type of visa is the most expensive and lucrative type of visa and is for expats who have a lot of money or assets. The main goal and purpose of the Golden Visa is to encourage foreign investment in Spain. It provides the following abilities to the holder:

• Expats can travel around freely without restrictions.
• Have access to a new type of visa at the expiry of this visa, which is valid for two years and can be extended for an extra two.
• You can keep your tax address outside of Spain.
• The Visa can apply to an investor and the rest of their family so that they can all stay in the country.

The costs of all these visas will vary depending on age, nationality and reason for travel.

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What I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Mallorca

Find Your Community

When I first moved to Mallorca, I struggled to find my place and felt it was really hard to connect with the community.

One thing I wish I had known before moving is that there are communities that expats can become a part of to help with getting used to the island. There are plenty of groups out there that you can join like mother-only, business networking, religion-specific, and English-speaking groups.

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Spanish Language Variants

The majority of Mallorca will speak the traditional Spanish language, but if you want to properly fit in with the local culture, you might need to learn more specific variants of Spanish. The Castilian variant is used in central Mallorca and the Mallorquin dialect is also used in some parts of the island. While they are very similar to traditional Spanish, they have unique words that can aid you with fitting into the new lifestyle.

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Will You Try Living in Mallorca?

To me, Mallorca has been the perfect place for me to call my home abroad. It's such a beautiful island and while many see it just as a holiday destination, there really is much more to Mallorca than most tourists initially realize.

Although peak season brings hords of people from all over the world, year round there's still a great community of locals and foreigners who have decided like I have to call this island home.

While you do have to still deal with the cons that come with island life, to me, the pros have certainly outweighed them.

Hero Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash