The Court of Auditors warns that the lack of planning exacerbates the state of the infrastructure. In Mallorca, numerous posts have deficiencies in accessibility, air conditioning, and electrical installations.
The Civil Guard in Mallorca faces a structural challenge: most of its barracks and posts, many located in rural areas of the island, are over 50 years old and have deficiencies that affect both the agents and the citizens who come to carry out procedures or file complaints. This is reflected in reports from the Court of Auditors and internal sources from the force, which warn that the lack of a multi-year investment plan is behind the progressive deterioration.
According to data from the auditing body, between 2021 and 2023, the Civil Guard resorted to 67 emergency contracts throughout Spain to address serious incidents in its buildings, amounting to over 56 million euros. In the case of the Balearic Islands, and specifically in Mallorca, similar problems have been detected in barracks in towns such as Inca, Manacor, Llucmajor, or Pollença, where the electrical installations and air conditioning systems are outdated.
The Court of Auditors believes that this practice of resorting to emergency contracts highlights a structural problem: the absence of a stable rehabilitation plan with sufficient funding. Therefore, it recommends creating a reliable inventory of all properties and prioritising actions based on the condition of each building.
In Mallorca, more than 55% of the barracks are over half a century old, and 13% are in poor condition or have serious conservation problems. Between 2019 and 2024, thirty facilities across Spain were closed for this reason, although no permanent closures have occurred on the island to date. However, sources from the force indicate that some auxiliary posts could be threatened if necessary reforms are not undertaken.
The modernisation of these spaces is not just a matter of comfort. The transformation of the force, with new units dedicated to cybercrime, gender violence, or technological investigation, requires spaces adapted to current digital tools. In Mallorca, where the Civil Guard plays a significant role in the fight against drug trafficking and environmental protection, having modern facilities is key to operational effectiveness.
Infrastructure experts agree that it is more cost-effective to invest in preventive maintenance than to face much more expensive comprehensive rehabilitations. However, the lack of a multi-year plan has led to many interventions being carried out when problems are already serious, which increases costs and extends timelines.
For the citizens of Mallorca, the state of the barracks has a direct impact. In many municipalities, the Civil Guard post is the only permanent police presence, and going there to file a complaint or request a report can become an uncomfortable experience if the facilities are deteriorated. Furthermore, the potential closure of small barracks in rural areas would leave many localities without immediate coverage.
The Court of Auditors urges the General Directorate of the Civil Guard to create an updated inventory of all properties and to design a multi-year rehabilitation plan with specific budget allocations. In Mallorca, the Government Delegation and the command itself are working on a list of priorities, although consulted sources acknowledge that funding remains the main obstacle.
Meanwhile, agents and residents of towns such as Sóller, Alcúdia, or Artà hope that the promises of improvement materialise. The Civil Guard, which this year celebrates its 180th anniversary, needs to adapt its real estate assets to the demands of the 21st century if it wants to continue being a pillar of security on the island.
The challenge is not minor: renewing or replacing hundreds of buildings requires sustained investments and coordination between administrations that has not occurred so far. The next update of the inventory, scheduled for the end of 2026, could mark a turning point if accompanied by the necessary resources.
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