A Guide to Relocating & Year-Round Living in Mallorca
Across Europe, priorities are shifting. Families, entrepreneurs, creatives, and remote professionals are no longer looking only for holiday homes. They are searching for a better place to be, and year-round living in Mallorca offers the perfect alternative. Safer, calmer, healthier, and more balanced, without giving up culture, sophistication, or connectivity.
Once viewed primarily as a summer destination, the island has matured into a cosmopolitan, year-round base with strong infrastructure, an active property market, and a cultural life that doesn’t pause for winter.
Island Beauty, European Functionality
Mallorca offers a unique balance of natural beauty and everyday practicality. From turquoise coves and vineyards to the Tramuntana mountains, the setting is undeniably Mediterranean.
At the same time, healthcare is modern and multilingual, digital infrastructure is reliable, and Palma’s airport connects to more than 140 European destinations, often within two hours.
A New Pattern of Relocation
Spain continues to outperform much of Western Europe on lifestyle, safety, and overall value. For many, the reasoning is straightforward: life feels better here.
Professionals and families from the UK are seeking relief from rising costs and taxation. Northern Europeans are trading long winters for a healthier climate. Others from across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are drawn by familiar culture, improved quality of life, and a more relaxed pace. Non-European buyers are likewise considering year-round living in Mallorca, attracted by its lifestyle and increasingly international character.
People aren’t only investing in Mallorca, but relocating long-term.
Palma: An International City at the Heart of Mallorca
Palma is what gives the island its scale. It’s a compact, well-functioning city with strong cultural infrastructure, active year-round and genuinely international. With its historic centre, modern amenities, working port, and airport minutes away, Palma provides the services, connectivity, and daily rhythm that make living on the island practical, not just appealing.
For Families: International Education Without Compromise
Mallorca offers one of the strongest selections of international schools in Southern Europe, with British, American, Spanish, and International Baccalaureate programmes taught in multicultural, multilingual environments. Many schools follow internationally recognised curricula while benefiting from smaller class sizes and an outdoor-oriented lifestyle that complements academic learning.
Leading options include the American International School of Mallorca, located within the Rafa Nadal Academy campus in Manacor, ISLA Academy near Palma, Ágora Portals International School in the southwest, and The Academy International School in central Mallorca. In addition, schools such as Bellver International College, Baleares International College, and Queen’s College offer well-established British education pathways.
Together, these institutions make Mallorca a highly attractive destination for families relocating from across Europe, North America, and beyond, seeking both educational quality and an exceptional quality of life.
Residency, Visas, and Practical Pathways
Spain offers several well-established routes for those looking for year-round living in Mallorca, making the process relatively accessible compared to many other European destinations. While individual circumstances always require professional advice, the following frameworks are commonly used by international buyers, professionals, and families:
• Non-Lucrative Visa – Ideal for retirees or individuals with passive income, allowing residency without the need to work in Spain.
• Digital Nomad Visa – Designed for remote workers and freelancers employed by non-Spanish companies, offering residency with favourable tax treatment.
• Golden Visa – Available to non-EU nationals making qualifying investments, including real estate, providing residency with minimal stay requirements.
• Beckham Law Tax Regime – A special tax framework for qualifying newcomers relocating for work, allowing taxation primarily on Spanish-sourced income for a defined period. Read more on the Beckham Law here.
Together, these options make Spain one of Europe’s most attractive and flexible destinations for relocation, whether for lifestyle, business, or long-term residency. Professional legal and tax guidance is strongly recommended to determine the most suitable route.
Culture, Nature, and Active Lifestyle
Mallorca supports an active, balanced lifestyle that can be enjoyed year-round:
• Over 20 world-class golf courses
• Cycling and hiking through the Tramuntana mountains
• Sailing and watersports from leading marinas such as Puerto Portals and Port Adriano
• Tennis at every level, including the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
• Wellness centres, yoga studios, equestrian facilities, and private country clubs
Beyond organised sport, the island offers exceptional outdoor experiences. Cycling and hiking routes wind through the Tramuntana, while horseback riding, sailing, and watersports allow residents to connect closely with Mallorca’s diverse landscapes.
Combined with a mild climate and varied terrain, this encourages a healthy, outdoor-oriented way of life across every season.
Mallorca’s ports and marinas are an essential part of the island’s lifestyle, blending international yachting with authentic coastal tradition. From renowned marinas such as Puerto Portals and Port Adriano to charming natural harbours like Port de Sóller and Port Andratx, the island offers a diverse waterfront culture shaped by sailing, dining, and year-round coastal living.
These ports serve not only as nautical hubs but as social centres, where cafés, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants create a relaxed yet refined Mediterranean atmosphere.
Wellness is an integral part of everyday life in Mallorca, with a strong focus on rest, balance, and restoration. The island is home to a wide selection of high-end spas, wellness centres, yoga and Pilates studios, equestrian estates, and private country clubs, many set within peaceful natural surroundings.
From holistic retreats and thermal spa experiences to discreet luxury destinations such as Can Bordoy and Son Brull, Mallorca offers refined spaces dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing throughout the year.
Mallorca’s cultural and creative scene is active year-round, making the island as enriching in winter as it is in summer. Palma is home to leading institutions such as Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani and the Fundació Miró Mallorca, complemented by a growing network of independent galleries, studios, and design-led spaces.
Beyond the capital, historic estates, former industrial buildings, and rural venues host exhibitions, performances, and seasonal festivals, creating a cultural calendar that feels considered rather than seasonal. Together, this supports a vibrant creative environment that blends international influence with strong local identity.
Connecting it all, the historic Sóller train runs year-round through the Tramuntana mountains, linking Palma to Sóller and turning everyday travel into a scenic ritual. Together, these elements support a vibrant creative community at both international and local levels, reinforcing the appeal for year-round living in Mallorca.
Twelve Months of Real Life
Unlike many Mediterranean regions, Mallorca does not shut down outside of summer. Shops, restaurants, and cultural venues remain open. Winter brings quieter beaches, mountain cycling, village markets, and evenings warmed by fireplaces and conversation.
Many residents say this is when the island feels most authentic.
Why Mallorca, and Why Now
Mallorca works because it gets the balance right. It offers safety, strong infrastructure, and international connectivity without losing its local character or sense of community. Mallorca brings together the informality of Mediterranean living with the consistency and quality of European life.
Life here feels simpler and more grounded. Children walk to school, shopping is local, weekends are spent outdoors, and good food is part of everyday life, not a trend.
At The Agency Mallorca, we bring local knowledge and an international point of view to help clients find the right property and settle into the lifestyle they’re looking for.
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