Car Hire Mallorca: Palma Airport, Road Rules & Tips 2026

Is car hire in Mallorca worth it?

Coves, mountain villages in the Serra de Tramuntana and markets in the island's interior are far easier to reach by car than by bus. For a pure beach holiday or a few days in Palma, though, you often don't need a car at all.

If you do hire one, a few local quirks matter: some destinations are closed to private cars in summer, Palma has a low emission zone and residents-only areas, and offers differ a lot on fuel policy, insurance and deposit. All information is correct as of October 2026.

Picking up your hire car at Palma Airport (PMI)

According to airport operator Aena, several rental companies have their desks inside the terminal: in the arrivals hall on level 0, and some already in the baggage reclaim hall. The cars are parked in the multi-storey car park opposite the terminal, on a different level depending on the company.

If your rental company isn't on this list, its office is usually not in the terminal. In that case a shuttle bus normally takes you to a site outside the airport. That costs time, especially with luggage and children. Check your booking confirmation for the meeting point and whether the shuttle runs late in the evening.

Formentor road closure 2026

The Ma-2210 from Port de Pollença to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor is closed to ordinary cars in summer. According to Spain's traffic authority, the DGT, the 2026 closure runs from 15 May to 18 October inclusive, daily from 10:00 to 22:00. It is split into two sections:

• Section 1, up to Formentor beach (Platja de Formentor): private cars may drive to the car park at kilometre 8 as long as spaces are free. Once it is full, the barrier at kilometre 2 closes (green light means open, red light and a closed barrier mean closed).
• Section 2, from the beach to the lighthouse: only authorised vehicles may drive here, such as the scheduled bus, cyclists and registered residents.
• If you head for the lighthouse before 10:00, the DGT says you must have reached at least kilometre 8.6 by 9:58, otherwise you risk a fine.
• Parking or stopping outside marked spaces is prohibited.

During the closure you can reach the lighthouse on TIB bus line 334 (Alcúdia, Port de Pollença, Platja de Formentor, Far de Formentor), on foot or by bike. According to the DGT, there is free parking on the Ma-2200 in Port de Pollença. Media reports put fines for unauthorised entry at 100 to 200 euros; around 2,300 fines were issued in 2025.

Sa Calobra and the Ma-10 through the Serra de Tramuntana

The Ma-2141 to Sa Calobra is one of Spain's best-known roads: about 14 kilometres, twelve hairpin bends and a 360-degree loop called the Nus de sa Corbata (the tie knot). As of October 2026 there is no ban on private cars like the one at Formentor. Restrictions are being discussed, but nothing has been decided.

Local media regularly report traffic jams, however, because coaches can't get past other vehicles on the tightest bends. The road has no centre line and hardly any crash barriers. For you, that means:

• Drive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when there are fewer coaches.
• A small car is more practical in the Tramuntana than a large SUV.
• If a coach comes towards you, wait at a wider spot.
• Expect cyclists or stationary cars round every bend.
• The Ma-10 between Andratx and Pollença is also winding and narrow in places. Allow more time than your sat nav suggests and only stop at signposted viewpoints.

Overtaking cyclists: the rules after the October 2026 reform

Mallorca is hugely popular with road cyclists, especially on the Ma-10 and at Sa Calobra. Since 1 October 2026, a reformed version of Spain's road traffic regulations (Reglamento General de Circulación) has been in force. According to the DGT, when overtaking cyclists on roads outside built-up areas you must:

• leave at least 1.5 metres of lateral clearance,
• reduce your speed to at least 20 km/h below the speed limit,
• on roads with more than one lane in each direction, move fully into the other lane.

On narrow mountain roads this is often only possible when you can see a long way ahead into the oncoming lane. If in doubt, stay behind the cyclists. According to the DGT, similar rules apply when passing vehicles stopped after an accident or breakdown: 1.5 metres of clearance and at least 20 km/h slower.

Palma: low emission zone, parking and residents-only areas

Since 2025, Palma has had a Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), a low emission zone covering the area inside the inner ring road (the Avenidas) down to the Paseo Marítimo. It applies around the clock every day and is enforced with number-plate cameras. Fines have been issued since 1 July 2025, up to 200 euros according to mallorca.com.

• Until the end of 2026, cars with the Spanish environmental labels B, C, ECO and 0 Emisiones may enter.
• From 1 January 2027, label B is planned to be excluded as well, and from 2030 only ECO and 0.
• Hire cars in Mallorca are usually registered in Spain and carry a DGT label. Modern fleets usually meet at least C. For older or very cheap models, ask about the label.
• Access to public car parks such as Parc de la Mar is exempt. Hotel guests staying overnight are also among the exemptions, sometimes with prior registration. Check with your hotel in advance.

Separately from the low emission zone, the old town has so-called ACIRE areas (Áreas de Circulación Restringida). Only residents and authorised vehicles may drive there; a valid environmental label is not enough. Look out for signs with a red border marked ACIRE, and don't follow your sat nav blindly.

For parking: blue markings mean the paid, time-limited ORA zone. You pay at the machine or with the mobiAPParc app. Green markings are reserved for residents, white ones are usually free and yellow ones mean no parking. The exact times are shown on the signs. From 1 January 2027, more neighbourhoods in Palma will be added to the ORA zone.

Fuel policy, insurance and deposit

The European Consumer Centres (ECC-Net) warn above all about extra charges. Clarify these points before you book:

• Fuel policy: choose full-to-full. You get the car with a full tank and return it full. With full-to-empty you pay for the first tank at the rental company's price, often plus a service fee, and you usually get nothing back for unused fuel. Keep your last fuel receipt.
• Excess: fully comprehensive cover with no excess that also includes glass, tyres, wheels and theft protects you best. Make sure the cover in your voucher matches the rental agreement.
• Insurance bought through a broker: if you buy cover through a booking site, the rental company will often still try to sell you its own extra insurance at the desk, sometimes under pressure, according to the European Consumer Centre. Don't be rushed and don't sign anything you don't understand.
• Deposit: without the rental company's own insurance, a higher deposit is usually blocked on your credit card. Check beforehand that your limit is high enough.
• Credit card: it usually has to be in the main driver's name. Debit and prepaid cards are often refused. The card should remain valid for at least six months after the rental, because damage or fines can be charged later.

1. Photograph or film the whole car at pick-up, including wheels and windows.
2. Have any existing damage recorded on the handover form.
3. Check that the V-16 warning light is on board. Since 1 January 2026 it has replaced the warning triangle for cars registered in Spain, and that includes hire cars.
4. Return the car during opening hours, photograph the fuel gauge and mileage, and get written confirmation of the return.

Driving licence requirements: UK, US, Canadian and Australian drivers

With a valid licence from the EU or EEA you can drive in Spain without any further documents. For licences from other countries, the DGT says the licence must be valid and either be written in Spanish, come with an official translation, or follow the international model of the Geneva or Vienna Convention. The DGT recommends getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country before you travel and carrying it together with your national licence and passport. What that means in practice depends on where your licence was issued:

Rental companies often have their own rules too, such as a minimum age or a minimum period of holding a licence; these are in the rental terms. GOV.UK also advises UK drivers to check whether their rental company asks for an IDP. Always carry your licence and ID or passport in the car.

Seasonal tips: when to book

If you travel in summer or during school holidays, book early, especially if you need a particular category or an automatic. Look for free cancellation so you can still switch if you find a better deal.

Keep an eye on politics as well: the island council (Consell de Mallorca) wants to limit the number of vehicles in high season, including a cap on hire cars. The bill has been under debate in the Balearic Parliament since September 2026. According to media reports, it is due to be passed by the end of 2026 and to take effect from the 2027 season. How high the cap will be has not yet been decided.

Frequently asked questions