Anti-tourism sentiment in Mallorca has escalated into acts of vandalism targeting properties associated with expats and tourists
Activists on the Spanish island of Mallorca have vandalised cars and businesses owned by German expatriates, Mallorca Zeitung has reported. The incidents come amid growing anger against mass tourism across Spain and a deepening housing crisis in the country that has seen rents and prices spiral.
Nearly 30 shops and numerous cars with foreign license plates were defaced on Saturday with stickers and slogans such as “Germans out” and “foreign buyers go to hell” in the Spanish town of Santanyi on Mallorca.
Police confirmed the incidents to the German Press Agency and said it had launched a probe to find the perpetrators.
Santanyi, a resort town of about 12,800 on Mallorca’s southeast coast, is a well-known hotspot for German expats, many of whom own homes or run businesses there.
© Getty Images / Clara Margais/picture alliance
Among those affected was German artist Frank Kruger, who said his gallery was targeted. “It is frightening to feel such a wave of hate after 34 years on the island, during which I pay taxes and currently employ nine people,” Kruger told the outlet. He claimed the vandals also targeted cars with foreign license plates owned by Spanish nationals.
© Getty Images / Clara Margais/picture alliance
The vandalism comes amid growing anti-tourist sentiment across Mallorca, where locals say mass tourism is displacing residents and eroding the island’s identity. In June thousands marched in Palma, Mallorca’s capital, holding signs such as “foreigners go home” and “Mallorca is not your cash cow.”
VIDEO: 🇪🇸 Thousands march in Spain’s Mallorca against overtourism
Local demonstrators take part in a protest against mass tourism and rising house prices in Palma de Mallorca. Similar protests have been staged in tourist hotspots across southern Europe pic.twitter.com/BBsKa3R8xO
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 16, 2025
Media reports say activists also regularly spray tourists with water pistols in symbolic protests.
Bon vespre, xarxers. Avui Mallorca ha parlat. Quin orgull de poble! 😍 Erem 30.000 manifestats. Els carrers plens i els cants no han aturat. Qui estima Mallorca no la destrueix! #viscaLaTerra ✊️ pic.twitter.com/ZCOzURq5MQ
— Antònia Ensenyat Ros #GOI (@EnsenyatAntonia) June 15, 2025
Protesters blame the country’s ongoing housing crisis on mass short-term rentals like Airbnb and unchecked property speculation. Real estate agents have echoed these concerns. In an open letter, Mallorca’s two largest real estate associations warned that adequate housing is becoming a luxury not only for locals, but also for seasonal workers and tourists.
In May, Palma Mayor Jaime Martinez announced a €300 billion ($353 billion) plan to upgrade beaches, ban new tourist hotel construction and order existing hotels to be renovated or converted into residential apartments.
: Anti-tourism protests could spread – UN
Reports also stated that local authorities plan to remove 20% of sun loungers from Mallorca’s beaches to create more space for residents.
Mallorca’s anti-tourism protests are part of a broader movement across southern Europe. In mid-June, coordinated demonstrations were held in Barcelona, Granada, Venice, and Lisbon, where activists voiced similar concerns over rising rents, overtourism, and displacement.
Esto ha ocurrido en un hostel de Barcelona en una protesta contra el turismo. pic.twitter.com/3EQPiaCPWv
— Alt Right España 𝕏 (@AltRightEspan) June 15, 2025
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