The island council (Consell) of Formentera approved an extraordinary budget amendment on 7 November to channel €3.2 million from last year’s treasury surplus toward expenses already incurred in caring for unaccompanied migrant minors. The vote passed in an emergency plenary session with support from the governing Sa Unió coalition; the opposition abstained and one independent councillor voted against.
Officials said the cash injection is needed to settle overdue invoices for accommodation, education and psychological services provided to dozens of minors under the council’s legal guardianship. Spain’s Balearic Islands have seen a steady inflow of small boats this year, forcing local authorities—traditionally focused on tourism infrastructure—to pivot toward child-protection responsibilities.
![Formentera taps treasury surplus to cover €3.2 m bill for migrant-minor care]()
The budget tweak also earmarks smaller sums for football-stadium repairs and legacy tax-agency contracts, but the lion’s share addresses migration-related costs. Formentera’s leaders warned that unless the central government delivers on promised transfers, further draw-downs on reserves may be required in 2026.
From an employer standpoint, the decision underscores how migration pressures are stretching municipal finances in tourist-dependent islands. Mobility programmes relocating staff to the Balearics may face higher municipal taxes or service fees as local governments re-balance budgets.
Officials said the cash injection is needed to settle overdue invoices for accommodation, education and psychological services provided to dozens of minors under the council’s legal guardianship. Spain’s Balearic Islands have seen a steady inflow of small boats this year, forcing local authorities—traditionally focused on tourism infrastructure—to pivot toward child-protection responsibilities.
The budget tweak also earmarks smaller sums for football-stadium repairs and legacy tax-agency contracts, but the lion’s share addresses migration-related costs. Formentera’s leaders warned that unless the central government delivers on promised transfers, further draw-downs on reserves may be required in 2026.
From an employer standpoint, the decision underscores how migration pressures are stretching municipal finances in tourist-dependent islands. Mobility programmes relocating staff to the Balearics may face higher municipal taxes or service fees as local governments re-balance budgets.
