Mallorca has the largest year-round British community of any Spanish island, direct flights to most UK airports, and — unusually for an island — a proper city in Palma rather than just resorts. It also has the island economics that catch people out: everything arrives by sea, so goods cost more and choice is narrower.
Why people choose Mallorca
It manages something the mainland costas don’t: a real year-round life. Palma has a working port city’s infrastructure — hospitals, universities, a cathedral quarter, restaurants open in January — while the coast and the Serra de Tramuntana are twenty minutes away.
The trade-off is cost. Mallorca is among the more expensive places to live in Spain, particularly for property, and the summer population surge makes July and August a different island from the rest of the year.
Where to live
- Palma — city life, best services, the Old Town and Santa Catalina for character, Portixol and Molinar for the seafront. Most practical for anyone without a car.
- Southwest — Santa Ponsa, Portals, Bendinat, Andratx. The established British and expat belt, marina-oriented, priciest.
- North — Pollença, Alcúdia, Sóller. Quieter, more Mallorcan, beautiful, and further from the airport.
- Centre — Inca, Binissalem, Santa Maria. Villages, considerably cheaper, and you’ll need a car.
What it costs
Expect rents above the mainland costas and closer to Madrid levels, especially in Palma and the southwest. Long-term rentals are genuinely scarce because so much stock goes to holiday letting — start looking early and be ready to move quickly when something appears. That scarcity, more than the headline price, is what surprises people.
Paperwork: NIE and the padrón
You’ll need an NIE before you can rent, open a bank account or set up utilities. Once you have an address, register on the padrón at your local ajuntament — the Ajuntament de Palma if you’re in the city — which is what proves residence for healthcare, schools and local services.
Our requirements guide → covers the visa routes and the order to do everything in.
Healthcare and schools
The main public hospital is Hospital Universitari Son Espases in Palma, with Son Llàtzer also serving the city and regional hospitals in Inca, Manacor and Felanitx. Private clinics are plentiful in Palma and the southwest.
For schools, Mallorca has a good spread of international options concentrated around Palma and the southwest — worth noting that state schooling in the Balearics is largely in Catalan, which is a significant factor for older children arriving without either language.
Getting there
Palma airport is one of Europe’s busiest in summer, with direct flights to most UK regional airports. Winter schedules thin out considerably — something to check if you’ll be travelling back regularly in the off-season.
Moving your belongings
Island moves need a ferry leg on top of the mainland run, plus an island surcharge, so they take longer and cost more than a coastal delivery. Island removals are quoted on request — tell us what’s moving and where, and we’ll confirm availability and price before you commit.
A practical tip specific to islands: the freight premium changes the ship-or-replace maths. Shipping a cheap sofa to Mallorca rarely makes sense; shipping good furniture usually still does, because replacing it on the island costs more than on the mainland.
Removals to the Balearic Islands → · Get a quote → · What removals cost →
Frequently asked questions
Is Mallorca a good place to live year-round? Yes — more so than most Spanish islands, because Palma is a working city with full services rather than a seasonal resort.
Is Mallorca expensive? It’s among the pricier parts of Spain, particularly for property. Long-term rental scarcity is a bigger practical problem than the headline cost.
What language do children learn in at school? State schooling in the Balearics is largely in Catalan, alongside Spanish. Many families with older children choose international schools for this reason.
Where do most British residents live? Palma and the southwest — Santa Ponsa, Portals, Bendinat — with a smaller established community in the north around Pollença.
Can you move my furniture to Mallorca? Island moves are quoted on request — they add a ferry leg and a surcharge. Tell us the destination and we’ll confirm.
How are the winter flights? Much thinner than summer. If you’ll travel back often between November and March, check the routes before committing to an area.