Rise in Number of EU Nationals Calling the Balearics “Home”

March 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Some 2.3 million ‘foreign’ EU nationals are now officially registered in Spain, around 5% of the total population.  Yet the figure for the Balearics alone is 133,740, a mighty 12.5% of the Islands’ inhabitants.  Balearics Sotheby’s International Realty has been speaking with Europeos por España (Europeans for Spain or EporE).

Kate Mentink, Founder and President of EporE, explained, “Taken from the latest 2012 census the figure of 133,740 EU nationals, almost 100,000 of those living in Mallorca, is an increase on the 2011 total of 130,385 and an even bigger increase on the 2010 figure of 109,026 – due in part to Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the EU a few years earlier in 2007.  The biggest group, again, is those of German nationality with 36,758 officially registered followed by the British at 23,804 and the Italians in third with 18,385.”

Whilst the number of EU residents has steadily risen, the total of non-Europeans living in the Balearics has taken a tumble as financial pressures have made repatriation a sensible option.  Another interesting point is that, whilst 15 years ago most EU residents were retirees over the age of 60, that figure has now dropped to an average age of below 40.  Of the British total, only 5,175 are of retirement age with over 15,000 being of working age.

Daniel Chavarria Waschke, Managing Director of Sotheby’s International Realty with offices in both Ibiza and neighbouring Mallorca, understands the appeal, “Traditionally our clients were wealthy discerning Europeans who were choosing to relocate for a peaceful retirement in the sunshine.  Today, whilst that market of course exists, they are joined by younger couples or families looking for a change in lifestyle encouraged by the Balearics’ low crime rates, excellent schooling and good sense of community – all in year-round warm weather.  Being able to enjoy an outdoor existence on the beach, golf course or out on the water is something most Northern Europeans crave and the Balearics offer all this and more.”

Organisations such as EPorE, constituted in 2008, work hard to secure equal rights for all EU nationals living in Spain, particularly in the Balearics.  They understand that the arrival of European residents a whole generation younger than 15 years ago has an inevitable effect on education, health and other services provided by the authorities.  EporE acts as a lobby group at local, regional and national level, as well as in Brussels when necessary, and is currently working on projects as diverse as parity for all citizens with regard to inheritance laws and the right to vote in elections.

Daniel finishes, “We admire the work of EporE and its ethos of promoting citizenship participation in the foreign national’s adopted town or region of residence.  After all, many of our house buyers will end up spending many years living and working on the Islands, bringing investment with them and perhaps setting up small businesses.  Their voices should be heard as much as those of their native neighbours.”

On the Market - Ref 5421 - Villa, Son Vida, Palma, Mallorca
For views across the City and Bay of Palma to the open Mediterranean beyond, the setting of this magnificent southwest facing villa could not be bettered.  Set on a flat 2,000m² plot, the 700m² home is arranged over three floors with kitchen, large living room, informal television room, dining room, office, library, guest WC and master en-suite bedroom with dressing room on the ground floor, three en-suite bedrooms with terraces on the first floor and a guest apartment alongside fitness and hobby room on the lower ground floor.  Outside there is extensive covered terracing and a heated swimming pool set in beautifully landscaped gardens.  Special features of note include a sound system in all rooms, hot and cold air-conditioning, under floor heating and a full alarm system.  
Five bedrooms, Five bathrooms                
2,000m² plot, 700m² built
Price 10.9 million euros (approx 9.4 million pounds)

Contact Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty on phone: (+34) 971 67 48 07, email mallorca@mallorcasir.com or visit www.mallorca-sothebysrealty.com

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