The Formentera Department of Land is pleased to present “Us ho posam més fàcil” (We’re making things easier) — a campaign to make declaring new commercial activity easier and less expensive through year’s end 2021. Said department chief Rafael González, “We’re making it easier, faster and cheaper to start a new business or declare commercial operations”.

Business made simpler
Today, Formentera’s full catalogue of municipal services can be processed online with the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC), and a declaration of responsibility and technical documentation are all that is required to start a new business or declare existing activity. The changes make it simpler and faster to process permits, with go-ahead becoming official 24 hours after registration of a request..

Lower fees
In another key change that will remain in effect even after the end of Us ho posam més fàcil, islanders pay less for simple formalities like business sales or changes of ownership. The latter, for example, will now carry a fixed fee of €200 — a nearly 90% reduction on the standard rate.

Fee rebate
Local government will also subsidise 50% of fees applied to new commercial activity for the duration of the campaign. González called it a “leg-up” for crisis-hit islanders starting a new business.

Consulting
FDL has introduced a consultation service for regular islanders and professionals alike. Queries can be directed to activitats@conselldeformentera.cat.

Municipal employees will perform door-to-door visits of local businesses and deliver brochures explaining the new measures. Industry professionals will also be invited to info-sharing meetings where related developments will be detailed.

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24 May 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Decision to suspend fees came amid uncertainty around summer 2020 season. Residents of Balearics get accreditation at no charge.

The Formentera Department of Mobility reports that this summer motorists will again have to pay a fee to drive on the island between 24 June and 7 September 2021. Visitors must pay €1.00/day (€5.00 minimum) for cars and €0.50/day for motorbikes and mopeds (€2.50 minimum). Residents of Formentera and the rest of the Balearics, and drivers of electric vehicles, receive formentera.eco accreditation free of charge.

Mobility councillor Rafael González explained, “We thought it appropriate to reinstate the fee given the favourable turn of pandemic conditions and growing demand among Formentera’s visitors to come to the island with a personal vehicle”. The fee was placed on hold last year in a context of uncertain prospects for the summer season.

González said high demand in 2020 meant some drivers saw their accreditation requests denied during the month of August.

In addition, commercial interest has been detected in the maritime route connecting the two Pine Islands. One of the ferry companies has taken issue with formentera.eco for limiting the stream of incoming vehicles, and an additional firm has shown interest in providing service on the Eivissa-Formentera line. By González’s lights, “It speaks to the need for a scheme like formentera.eco, where the idea is to keep residents and visitors happy and guarantee sustainability by preventing high-season strain on local roads”.

Confirming bookings
On 15 March, the formentera.eco website began offering drivers the possibility of reserving vehicle accreditation in advance and confirming the booking via email and payment in the first half of June. González said the fee was designed to encourage longer stays, which he described as “particularly key to local tourism”.

Advance reservations
González drew attention to the 50% increase in advance reservations registered by formentera.eco since emergency orders were lifted. 1,783 advance reservations were made during the 56-day period from 15 March to 9 May (per-day average: 32). 491 advance reservations were made during the ten days from 10 to 19 May (per-day average: 49). The upward trend was highlighted by President Ferrer and members of the local business community at a presentation at this week’s International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur).

Consell d’Entitats
Lastly, González noted that the fee received backing from the Consell d’Entitats in February 2020. The Consell d’Entitats decision to assess the fee in summer 2021 will be communicated in the days ahead to Consell d’Entitats member groups.

21 May 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera