Living year-round in Mallorca, Menorca or Ibiza

Key rules

• Deposit: Expect to pay a one-month deposit, and often extra guarantees.
• Winter-only lets: A cheap let that runs September to June usually ends when summer holiday rentals return.
• Work: Jobs peak in July and August and are weakest from January to March.
• Winter visit: Visit in winter and check heating and insulation before you commit.

The short answer

Living on the islands all year is possible, but it is expensive, housing is hard to find, work depends on the tourist season, and winter is quiet. Plan for all four before you commit.

What housing costs

Long-term rentals are scarce and expensive on all three islands. Ibiza is the most expensive, then Mallorca, then Menorca.

• Mallorca: asking rents run around €16-20 per m² per month. In Palma they are often €15-20. A typical Palma apartment costs about €1,200-1,800 a month.
• Ibiza: around €20 or more per m². A typical apartment costs €1,500-2,500 or more a month.
• Menorca: around €14-17 per m².

These are broad ranges. Rents vary a lot by area and listing.

Expect to pay a deposit of one month, and landlords often ask for extra guarantees. Many workers share rooms, or live in caravans or vans.

Winter-only lets

Year-round lets are hard to find. Many landlords offer a cheaper let for winter only, from September to June. They then switch the home to holiday rentals for summer. A cheap winter let can therefore end just as the season starts, and you may have to find a new home at the worst time. Ask any landlord whether the contract can continue past June. The timeline below shows when these lets begin and end.

Work and seasonality

The Balearics have the most seasonal job market in Spain. Registered unemployment is lowest in July and August, when social security affiliation peaks at over 600,000. It is highest from January to March, when it can double.

Many hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and tourist shops close from about November to March. This is most noticeable in Ibiza, in the resort towns and in Menorca. Contracts called fijo discontinuo are common. You are employed in the season and called back each year, with gaps in between. If you rely on local income, plan for those gaps.

Hospitals, schools and Palma's year-round services keep running.

Island logistics in winter

• Bus frequency drops and ferry sailings are cut.
• Strong winds and storms can cancel ferries, especially to Formentera and Menorca, and can disrupt flights.
• Social life moves to the year-round towns, such as Palma, Mahón and Ibiza town, with local clubs and expat groups.
• Winters can be cold, damp and quiet.

Before you move

Visit in winter first. Many homes are built for summer, so check the heating and insulation before you sign. If you can, view the home on a cold, wet day.

Timeline and deadlines

• Winter-only lets begin: From September, when many landlords offer lets at lower prices

• Winter-only lets end and holiday rentals return: By June, so you may need to move out or find new housing

• Many hotels, restaurants and beach clubs close: From about November to March

• Job market at its weakest: January to March, when unemployment can double

• Job market at its peak: July and August

Frequently asked questions

Why does a cheap winter-only rental often not last?

Many landlords let for winter only, from September to June, at lower prices. They then switch to holiday rentals in summer. If you want to stay year-round, ask before signing whether the let can run through the summer.

When is it hardest to find work?

January to March is the hardest. Unemployment can double then, while July and August are the peak. Fixed-discontinuous contracts (fijo discontinuo) are common, so ask whether a job runs all year or only in season.

What should I check about a home before moving in winter?

Check the heating and insulation. Many homes are built for summer, and winters can be cold, damp and quiet. Visit in winter before you move to see how it feels.

Which towns stay lively in winter?

Year-round towns such as Palma, Mahón and Ibiza town keep social life going, with local clubs and expat groups. Resort towns and beach areas are much quieter, as many businesses close.