Own finca for €10? Eight questions no ticket leaflet answers

For a tenner a finca dream — why the offer is so tempting and yet misleading

On a late morning in Palma, between the smell of coffee and the soft hum of mopeds, headlines read: a luxury finca in Mallorca is being raffled, and a ticket costs just ten euros. Lovely — I thought, as the church bells in the old town rang. But what is really behind it? The social lottery names as the main prize a turnkey newly built house of around 230 square metres, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a ten-metre pool and allegedly sustainable technology (photovoltaics, heat pump, battery storage). The raffle aims to support social projects — about 20 percent of proceeds are to go to charitable partners. Sounds noble. Yet many questions remain open.

1. Who is even allowed to participate?

Eligible to participate are people aged 18 and over with residence in Germany. That is a first stumbling block for island residents: those registered as residents in Mallorca usually do not participate. This raises eyebrows in villages like Alaró or Sineu: a house here is therefore primarily awarded to people in Germany, not to the local community.

2. Odds and realism

The probability depends on the number of tickets sold. In previous campaigns it was in the range of several million. Viewed realistically, buying a ticket is more of a game of chance with a social overtone: ten euros, a moment of hope, but hardly a real chance at the property.

3. What winning actually costs

Here it gets complicated: handover “turnkey” does not mean “free in everyday life”. In Mallorca there are ongoing costs (garden maintenance, pool cleaning, community fees (Comunidad), IBI) and possible investments. Added to that are Spanish taxes and fees for property transfers, notary and land registry entries. Those who do not move to the island permanently also need local management — annual expenses that for a finca of this size can easily run into the thousands.

4. Legal and permit-related questions

A new build should of course have a valid building permit. Still, it is worth taking a closer look: is the plot in rústico (rural land) or suelo urbanizable (land designated for urban development)? Is there a usage restriction that excludes tourist rentals? Such details decide whether the house can later be rented out, sold or even lived in legally.

5. Social engagement versus marketing

That 20 percent of proceeds go to the DKMS is positive — but it is also part of the sales argument. How much net actually reaches the projects after all costs depends on marketing and administrative expenses. Transparency would be important here: a clear accounting of use builds trust, especially when housing on the island is scarce and expensive.

6. Impact on the local housing market

Such promotions create dreams in Germany, but they also change perceptions in Mallorca: real estate is staged as prizes, not as living space. In communities already debating tourism pressure and house purchases, this is not a neutral act. The perspective of neighbours, associations and local authorities is often missing.

7. What to do if you still want to buy a ticket?

A short practical check: read the terms and conditions carefully. Ask for a breakdown of transfer costs, taxes and annual running costs. Ask to see the building permit and a site plan. Clarify how refusal or a legal dispute is handled. And consider: would you buy the house if you had to pay for it regularly?

8. Concrete proposals for more fairness

Transparency about donation proceeds, participation rules and cost estimates for winners would be a good start. Even better: involve local partners, channel part of the proceeds effectively into housing projects in Mallorca and do not exclude residents across the board. Then a media-effective PR event could actually become a win for all involved.

My impression, back on the street with the last sip of café con leche: for many the ticket is a small glimmer of hope. For the island the raffle is more like a mirror — it shows how much Mallorca oscillates between longing, market mechanics and social responsibility. Before buying a ticket: think briefly, calculate and don’t take the dream home without a plan.