Spanish Escape

This year has certaingly prompted a great deal of us to reasess how and where we  live. With its temperate climate and well established infrastructure, Mallorca has features high on the list. Luxury real estate agents, Engel & Völkers have witnessed a marked shift in thinking and willingness by buyers and long-term rental clients to consider a lifestyle change with some wanting to live and work from the island. As Buyers & long-term tenants discovering that Mallorca provides the necessary infrastructure for year-round living.

Engel & Völkers believe Mallorca’s capacity to offer international schooling, fast internet connectivity for smart working, modern healthcare, safety and security, good transport connections, excellent sports facilities combined with the island’s mild and sunny Mediterranean climate are among the compelling factors.

For some families, children have just started school in one of the 17 international schools and colleges in Mallorca that educate children from pre-school up to A-Level or International Baccalaureate. Apart from the mainstream academic colleges, there are alternative education schools such as the Montessori Mallorca School in Santa Maria and the Fundació Sa Llavor school in Binissalem, that claims to be the first holistic centre for nursery and primary school education.

Florian Hofer, Managing Director of Engel & Völkers Balearic Islands, states “In the past five years new international school openings reflect the increasing demand from overseas families wanting to settle on the island and give their children an opportunity to learn in a safe, healthy environment and emerge multilingual with the relevant academic certificates to move onto further education or universities in their country of origin“.

A study undertaken by the local Balearic Government (CAIB) in August 2019, confirmed that fast wide broadband coverage is now available in over 98% of the Balearic Region together with Mobile 4G network. Furthermore, fibre optic connections are available offering high-speed broadband of 100Mbps in over 82% of homes. This connectivity has now become a major selling point for potential buyers who, if necessary, can work effectively from the island whilst enjoying the island’s Mediterranean lifestyle. During the lockdown, the challenge of working remotely and staying connected has greatly influenced the way in which we work now and in the future.

The island has one of the most advanced, modern healthcare systems in the Mediterranean with five main public hospitals and six principal private hospitals.  Plus dozens of private clinics and over 60 local public surgeries throughout the island.  In a normal year, the island is geared up to look after the health and safety of millions of tourists, staffed by multilingual staff and leading healthcare specialists.

The island’s international airport is Spain’s third largest airport with direct flights from all major cities throughout Europe that are only 2-3 hours flight time away.  Daily ferry connections are also available from the Spanish Mainland. In July this year when the borders finally re-opened, Palma International Airport handled over 1.1 million passenger movements, more than any other in Spain, highlighting the demand for the destination.