The Official State Gazette (BOE) published the Law on urgent measures to accelerate strategic projects that contribute to the economic transformation of the Balearic Islands, along with other measures for the simplification and acceleration of administrative procedures, known as the ‘omnibus law,’ thus marking the entry into force of one of the most ambitious legislative reforms promoted by the Balearic Government during the current legislature.
The legislation was approved by the Regional Parliament at the end of last May after an intense parliamentary process during which hundreds of amendments were incorporated, modifying dozens of regional laws. The result was a text five times longer than the initial decree, considerably expanding its scope beyond the original goal of streamlining projects considered strategic for the diversification and modernization of the Balearic economy.
Among the new key measures is the introduction of the ‘Projects of Special Strategic Interest’ (PEIE) regime, designed to accelerate public and private investment by reducing administrative delays and improving coordination among public authorities. The regional government maintains that this instrument will help unlock initiatives linked to sectors considered priorities, such as innovation, industry, housing, the energy transition, and infrastructure.
The law also includes a comprehensive package of administrative simplification measures designed to reduce bureaucracy for citizens, businesses, and public authorities. Within this framework, urban planning, environmental, and public procurement procedures are being revised with the aim of facilitating the implementation of investment projects and improving the archipelago’s competitiveness.
The text also includes changes across a wide range of areas, from the civil service to fiscal, educational, and social policy. These include new tax deductions, the easing of certain language requirements for accessing public-sector positions in areas with a shortage of professionals, as well as changes to eligibility for certain social benefits.
Against the illegal offer
In the tourism sector – one of the areas with the greatest economic impact on the Islands – the law introduces amendments to the regulations to strengthen controls over the illegal provision of lodging. Among the most significant measures are the tightening of the sanctioning system, which allows for coercive fines of up to 5,000 euros per day to ensure the effective cessation of illegal activity, as well as the strengthening of inspection and enforcement mechanisms against repeat offenders. The Regional Government maintains that these amendments are aimed at protecting regulated accommodation providers, improving the quality of the destination, and promoting fair competition.
During the parliamentary process, the bill sparked an intense political debate. MÉS per Mallorca and Més per Menorca were the most critical parties toward an initiative that, in their view, went far beyond the original scope of the decree and grouped legislative amendments of very diverse nature into a single regulatory text.
Both parliamentary groups have already announced their intention to file motions of unconstitutionality before the Constitutional Court, alleging that the legislative process violated the principles of legal certainty and restricted an adequate parliamentary debate on far-reaching reforms.
