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Travel Insurance Balearics

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Balearics Country Guide

  1. CountryFacts
  2. Health
  3. Media
  1. Intro
  2. Geography
  3. Islands
  4. People
  5. Travel
  6. Embassies & Visas
  7. Finance
  8. Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region: Spain
Full Name: The Balearic Islands
Capital City: Palma de Mallorca
Language Spoken: Catalan and Spanish

Balearics Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to The Balearic Islands from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to The Balearic Islands and most of the world.

Geographic data

39? 30? N 3? 00 E

Elevation Extremes

Spain

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest point: Pico de Teide, in Tenerife which is part of The Canary Islands 3,718 m

Land boundaries

No land boundaries - archipelago

Natural hazards

Low risk of any Natural Hazards

Natural resources

Some of Spain's natural resources include coal, led, copper, and mercury.

Land use

Arable land: 24.75%

Permanent crops: 9.29%

Other: 65.96% (2011)

Environmental current issues

A tax of between €1-2 per person (around £1.55) per day is set to be struck upon tourists this Summer (2016) who are travelling to The Balearic Islands. Popular tourist destinations for British Nationals including Ibiza, Mallorca, Formentera and Menorca, will hit their tourists with the tax, which will apply to all holidays taken after the 1st July 2016, even if they are already booked. The costs only apply to tourists aged 14 or over. So if staying on the islands for more than two weeks, it means a family of four with children over the age of 16 could pay up to £70 extra. However, there is a way of making the tax cheaper. If you travel between November and March then the tax is cut by around 50%. The extra charge is being classed as an “eco-tax,” which will help the islands look after the natural land and culture, and also help to invest more into popular tourist attractions.

The Balearic Islands are also looking at banning Tourist’s cars this Summer (2016) to avoid major congestion and gridlocks over the busier periods.

Climate

Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the Balearic Islands mostly enjoy pleasant temperatures for the majority of the year. In Summer, the temperatures are enjoyable and not too excessive, whilst in the Winter months, it is cooler and some showers can be expected.

Time difference

The Balearic Islands are 1 hour ahead of The UK.

Majorca

Majorca Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Majorca from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Majorca and most of the world.

Majorca is the largest island of the Balearic Islands. The island, along with Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera form an archipelago off of eastern Spain.

Capital: Palma de Mallorca (Also city of the Balearic Islands)

An environmental tax was introduced in 2016 taxing tourists travelling to Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca, and Formentera. The tax differs depending on the number of people travelling and the type of accommodation you intend to stay in. The additional charge was introduced in order to look after the natural land and culture, and help to further invest in popular tourist attractions.

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Ibiza

Ibiza Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Ibiza from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Ibiza and most of the world.

Ibiza makes up one of the Balearic Islands. The island, along with Majorca, Minorca, and Formentera form an archipelago off of eastern Spain.

Capital: Ibiza Town

An environmental tax was introduced in 2016 taxing tourists travelling to Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca, and Formentera. The tax differs depending on the number of people travelling and the type of accommodation you intend to stay in. The additional charge was introduced in order to look after the natural land and culture, and help to further invest in popular tourist attractions.

Get a Quote

Minorca

Minorca Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Minorca from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Minorca and most of the world.

Minorca makes up one of the Balearic Islands. The island, along with Majorca, Ibiza, and Formentera form an archipelago off of eastern Spain.

Capital: Port Mahon

An environmental tax was introduced in 2016 taxing tourists travelling to Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca, and Formentera. The tax differs depending on the number of people travelling and the type of accommodation you intend to stay in. The additional charge was introduced in order to look after the natural land and culture, and help to further invest in popular tourist attractions.

Get a Quote

Formentera

Formentera Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Formentera from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Formentera and most of the world.

Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands. The island, along with Majorca, Ibiza, and Minorca form an archipelago off of eastern Spain.

Capital: Sant Francesc Xavier

An environmental tax was introduced in 2016 taxing tourists travelling to Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca, and Formentera. The tax differs depending on the number of people travelling and the type of accommodation you intend to stay in. The additional charge was introduced in order to look after the natural land and culture, and help to further invest in popular tourist attractions.

Get a Quote

Population

Total: 1.103 million (2014)

Age structure

Spain

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 3,791,781/female 3,575,157)

15-24 years: 9.6% (male 2,370,289/female 2,212,511)

25-54 years: 45.9% (male 11,158,451/female 10,752,197)

55-64 years: 11.4% (male 2,662,055/female 2,799,379)

65 years and over: 17.6% (male 3,582,643/female 4,833,478) (2014 est.)

Median age

Spain

Total: 46.1

Male: 40.4

Female: 42.9

Population growth rate

Spain

0.81% (2014 est.)

Birth rate

Spain

9.88 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

Spain

8.5 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Net migration rate

Spain

7.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Sex ratio

Spain

At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

Total Population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Spain

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.47 years

male: 78.47 years

female: 84.67 years (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

Spain

1.49 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Business Practices

Throughout most of the year, lightweight cotton would be suitable for the climate, with a raincoat and warmer wear throughout the Winter months.

Lunch usually happens from 2pm and dinner from 10pm, 9pm at the earliest. However if you are staying in a hotel resort, then there is normally food available all day long.

In business surroundings, it is most likely Spanish Nationals will speak fairly good English and will not need a translator.

Crime

During the starting months of 2015, The Balearic Islands crime rate dropped by 5.3% compared with the same period in 2014. In the months of January, February and March, The Balearic Islands had 11,370 crimes and offences registered compared to the 2014 rates of 12,010 registered crimes and offences. The Spanish crime rate is low, however the crimes that do occur are usually in the form of street crimes, with con-artists using distraction techniques against tourists. It is recommended that you carry minimal valuables on you while out in the streets.

Hotels

Many of the Balearic hotels are set for beach holidays. The islands are home to a vast array of well-rated hotels across all of the islands, with tourists usually choosing to stay in hotels with a rating of 3-5*. However the Islands have some beautiful Villas, Chalets, and apartments to offer also.

Communications

Compared to the elderly generations in Spain, the majority of the youthful generation generally speak a little English; whereas the older generations do not tend to speak much English at all.

In business surroundings, it is most likely Spanish Nationals will speak fairly good English and will not need a translator.

Electricity

The Balearic Islands have the same electricity voltage and frequency as The UK (230 V, 50 Hz), meaning that all British electrical appliances can be used on the Islands. However you will need to take a power plug adaptor.

Plug Types

Type F

Food And Dining

The Islands have a very good variety of clubs, cafes and restaurants with seafood being a big part of Balearic food. 10% is the usual tipping percentage in higher end restaurants across The Balearics, whereas 5% would be ample in smaller restaurants and cafes.

Night Life

The Balearic Islands are home to some of the best known places for nightlife, Mallorca and Ibiza. They hold some of the most famous and largest nightclubs in the World. Over the Summer months, the island’s nightlife scene has become famous for attracting young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from all over the World.

Entry departure requirements

When travelling to The Balearic Islands your passport must have been issued within the past 10 years.

Visa immigration information

Passports
Visas

Tourists from countries within the European Union are not required to have a Visa, no matter of the purpose or length of their trip to The Balearic Islands. Nationals from countries beyond the European Union do not need a Visa for stays within 90 days.

Types of visa and cost
Validity

A tourist's passport does not need an extended validity period when visiting the whole of Spain, including The Canary and Balearic Islands, it just needs to be valid for your time away.

Application to

UK applicants should consult the Spanish Visa Application Centre

http://www.vfsglobal.com/Spain/UK/

Application requirements
Working days required

HIV entry requirements

There are no entry requirements to Spanish territories for a traveller with HIV.

Departure tax

Although there is no departure tax when leaving the islands, a tax of between €1-2 per person (around £1.55) per day is set to be struck upon tourists this Summer (2016) who are travelling to The Balearic Islands.

Embassies

UK Spanish Embassy

Address: 20 Draycott Pl, London SW3 2RZ

Tel: 020 7589 8989


USA Spanish Embassy

Address: 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20037 Washington, D.C.

Tel: 202-452-0100

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office warn that their is a high terror threat in Spain. Although The Spanish Authorities are taking measures to do as much as they can against terrorism in their country, it is advised to always be vigilant and report any abnormal behaviour.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

US Department of State

Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Currency

The Balearic Islands currency is The Euro.

Currency restrictions

There are currently no currency restrictions within The Balearic Islands.

Banking hours

Spanish banks are usually open Monday to Friday from around 8:30 am to 2:30pm.

Currency exchange

Currently the exchange rate for The Pound Sterling to the Euro is €1 = £0.79.

Credit cards

Credit cards a widely accepted in Spanish cash machines and super markets, however some small restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards.

Travellers cheques

  1. Health Information
  2. Recent Disease Outbreak

Dental care

Dental care is a available in The Balearic Islands. As well as private travel insurance, each British National should have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). You can get your EHIC by phone (0845 606 2030), online or from the Post Office.

Medication Availability

Pharmacies can be found on The Spanish Islands with a green cross either outside the shop or in its window.

Blood supplies

Medical facilities

Having an EHIC card will allow you to access the basic health care provided in Spain, at a discounted rate. It will also allow you to access medication or treatment for already existing conditions. 118 is the number to call for the Italian Emergency Services should you need their assistance.

General caution

Specific concerns

There are currently no specific concerns to be worried about.

Immunization

When travelling to The Balearic Islands, you should be up-to-date with your routine jabs including MMR, Polio and your yearly flu jab. It is also advised to be vaccinated against Rabies, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, preferably 4-6 weeks before you are due to travel. It is always best to check with your GP to make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations.

Disease risk summary

There are currently no major disease risks across the Balearic Islands.

Entry requirements

There are currently no entry requirements.

Recent disease outbreaks

There are currently no disease outbreaks in The Balearic Islands.

 

Media

The Majorca daily first begun in 1963 and targeted British nationals living in or just visiting the island. The bulletin informs its audience of all events happening in predominantly the Balearics and the UK, but also on news from around the world.