Several municipalities in Mallorca have created exclusive parking spaces for residents, with Alcúdia (over 1,000) and Andratx (50 in the Port) leading the way.
The lack of parking in the island's tourist areas has led local councils to seek solutions. Alcúdia and Andratx have become the most notable examples, with reserved resident parking systems that now total over a thousand in the first case and fifty in the second.
Alcúdia: over a thousand spaces with the Targeta Verda
The municipality in the north of Mallorca has launched more than 1,000 exclusive spaces for residents, spread between Alcúdia and Port d'Alcúdia. To access them, residents must have the Targeta Verda, a municipal authorization linked to the vehicle.
The system, which is already operational, aims to relieve parking pressure during the summer months when the population multiplies. The spaces are distributed across different points in the municipality to facilitate access for residents.
According to sources from the Alcúdia Town Hall, the initiative has been well received by residents, who see it as a way to guarantee a spot close to home. The council does not rule out expanding the number of spaces in the future if demand requires it.
Andratx: 50 spaces in the Port without a badge
In the southwest of the island, Andratx has created 50 exclusive parking spaces for residents in Port d'Andratx. One of the peculiarities of this parking is that residents can use it without needing to display a visible badge on their vehicle, as control is carried out through license plate recognition.
The measure, promoted by the Andratx Town Hall, aims to address the difficulties of finding parking in this coastal area, especially during peak season. These spaces are in addition to other initiatives such as the opening of new public parking areas and the GARE system, which allows certain residents to park in front of their own driveway with municipal authorization.
The Andratx council has stated that the goal is to prioritise residents over tourist influx, without compromising the area's economic activity. For now, the 50 spaces are already in operation and are expected to alleviate vehicle congestion in the port.
Other municipalities with similar systems
In addition to Alcúdia and Andratx, other municipalities in Mallorca have implemented measures to reserve parking for their residents. Palma has had ACIRE and ZAR zones for years, while towns like Calvià, Pollença, or Manacor have created restricted spaces in their busiest areas.
Each municipality applies a different system: some use barriers, others license plate recognition or identification cards. The diversity of solutions reflects the complexity of the problem of mobility on the island, where tourism and residency often coexist in tension.
For the residents of these municipalities, having reserved spaces is a relief in their daily lives. They no longer have to drive around for hours to find a spot, especially in summer. The measure, although modest in some cases, is a step towards more orderly mobility.
"The Targeta Verda has changed our lives," says a resident of Alcúdia. "It was impossible to park close to home in August. Now, with the card, I always find a spot."
The Andratx Town Hall, for its part, insists that the 50 spaces are just the beginning. "We will evaluate the demand and, if necessary, we will expand", municipal sources state. Meanwhile, residents of the Port can now enjoy stress-free parking.
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