Q&A: Is it safe to travel to the Balearic Islands: Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca – UPDATE

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UPDATE: 4th October 2021: The borders are completely open to double jabbed travellers from the UK.

UPDATE: 28th March 2021: Die-hard lovers of Mallorca and Ibiza can be buoyed.

The ever-popular Balearics – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera – have offered hope for UK holidaymakers. The Balearic Islands’ Minister for Tourism, Iago Negueruela, said that British Tourism is “essential” for The Balearic Islands and it could be as early as May when Britons can visit. Tourists must have had both doses of the jab and have a vaccination certificate to hand.  

Incidentally, Spain has managed to decrease their daily cases on par with the UK so you can expect the country to appear on the Green list when it is released.

UPDATE: 26th July 2020: Package holidays to mainland Spain will not operate because the Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the area. This applies to the Balearics (including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) and the Canaries (including Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote). 

UPDATE: 25th July 2020: All travellers from Spain in the UK will have to quarantine for 14-days after a coronavirus spike. The foreign office says don’t travel unless essential mainland Spain. Th quarantine includes the Balearics and the Canaries Read more 

UPDATE: 14 March 2020 Jet2.com have cancelled all flights to mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.

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The Spanish holiday islands are a popular travel destination with Brits who head there for sun and sand, especially at Easter time, but these islands have not been spared. They too have had incidences of coronavirus. However, at the moment there are no restrictions for travel in place.

To date, the UK government deems them as safe destinations and says:

“There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and elsewhere, including Spain.

“You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities.”

The Balearic Government told local media:

“We want to convey a message of tranquillity and confidence in the work carried out by all health professionals who are coordinating closely with the Ministry of Health.”

What’s the numbers?

Over the whole of Spain, there are now 1,695 cases, with 36 deaths caused as a result of the virus.

The highest number of cases have been reported in the region of Madrid, with 782 people confirmed to be infected and 21 deaths.

The Balearic Islands have been hit by coronavirus, with 12 cases in Majorca along with three in Menorca and one in Ibiza.

Can I cancel my plans to travel to the Balearic Islands?

All flights are still operating from major airports, so British holidaymakers who have bought flights to the Balearic Islands are unlikely to get their money back.

If the Foreign Office changes its travel advice for a region and turns it into a no-go area, which they have not done in this case then tour operators are required offer a refund.

If you have paid for your hotel accommodation separately, hotels are not required to give you your money back and you will not get your money back.

Some may, as a gesture of good will, refund you or offer other dates, but that is their choice. So it’s worth asking.

Check your travel insurance as there may be some provision, although don’t hold your breath.