Living in Mallorca: Everything about your new start on the sunny island

As a breathtaking pearl of the Mediterranean, Mallorca has been one of the most popular vacation destinations for Germans for decades. While the summer months with an average water temperature of about 25 degrees invite you to swim, even the winter attracts with 300 sunny days a year with varied activities and charming hiking routes.

What Germans love about Mallorca, away from the miles of sandy beaches and boisterous parties, is the Mallorcan lifestyle full of serenity and harmony. Little wonder, therefore, that it attracts thousands of you to the island every year with long-term plans: you want to live in Mallorca and make a fresh start in the sun! We have summarized what you need to know to live in Mallorca.

But first, why is living in Mallorca so popular with emigrants?

A remarkable 19,000 Germans have fulfilled their dream and found the courage to start a new life in Mallorca. Those who are now worried about the island’s original character and Mallorcan culture, we can reassure: The genuine way of life of the compatriots is clearly felt in each of the 53 municipalities, although the Germans have made themselves comfortable in every corner of the island. So despite your new life in Mallorca, you’ll probably rarely feel far from your old home.

However, if homesickness strikes you, you can be in Germany within a few hours thanks to the daily, affordable and fast flight connections. In order to feel comfortable in your new place of residence and to support a smooth integration, you should nevertheless get to know and live the Mallorcan customs – for which we have worked out the following tips and tricks for you.

Life in Mallorca: The Mallorcan lifestyle in a nutshell

It is no secret and yet we would like to emphasize this fact as a precaution: The clocks in Mallorca tick differently! Strictly timed daily routines, exact punctuality and meticulous adherence to deadlines are rarely found on the island. What can seem careless and thoughtless to us Germans at first, is interpreted in Mallorcan culture rather as uninhibited and informal. Get involved – and enjoy the benefits of the much more relaxed culture (keyword: “Mañana”) in your new life on Mallorca!

The most important things to know about living in Mallorca

The pleasant Mediterranean climate makes the difference: so life in Mallorca takes place outside! A well-maintained exterior is therefore much more important to Mallorcans than an attractive interior.

Who has also decided to spend the rest of his life in Mallorca, inevitably asks the question: rent or buy? If you would like to try out island life first, we recommend renting a property. If, on the other hand, you already know the island like the back of your hand and would call yourself a determined emigrant, the acquisition of a property at the very low mortgage interest rates is a lucrative investment.

Living in Mallorca – what families should know

Let’s start with a piece of news that makes the hearts of parents as well as children beat faster: The Spanish school system is in no way inferior to the German one. While all children are required to attend school until they reach adulthood, college follows after middle school graduation and then, if desired, graduate school. The University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), for example, offers more than 50 exciting courses of study in addition to breathtaking panoramic views.

To successfully attend the state schools – which, by the way, charge a small fee for each student on the Balearic island – speaking Spanish more or less fluently is definitely an advantage. Private schools also offer their classes in English and even German, but charge correspondingly higher fees. However, if you would like to live in Mallorca on a long-term basis, we strongly recommend that you learn the local language in order to integrate quickly. Even before you enter the country, it pays off to take a language course.

Important documents for living in Mallorca

If you want to live in Mallorca for a long time, you should deal with three documents:

1. the “Número de Identidad de Extranjero” (NIE):
The NIE is unique and valid for life, as well as essential for your long-term life in Mallorca. It ensures that you are allowed to enter into legal transactions, generate income, make car purchases and sign contracts on the island, as well as open a Spanish checking account. You can apply for the NIE at a police station (Dirección General de la Policía y de la Guardia Civil), at the Foreigners’ Office in Palma (Oficina de Extranjeros) or through an intermediary (Gestoria).

2. the registration as “Autonomo”:
If you would like to start a business in Mallorca, work as a self-employed person or as a freelancer, you can register as an “Autonomo”. The monthly cost of at least 260 euros also represents your contribution to social security, which ensures your basic coverage for doctors and hospitalization.

3. the application for “residencia”:
If you are planning a stay of more than three months, you can apply for your “Residencia” with an entry in the Central Register for Foreigners. As an official resident, you enjoy the benefits of better conditions, which can be seen, for example, in low-cost domestic flights, insurance premiums or current account fees.