Balearic Islands Want Permanent Summer Time: What That Really Means for Mallorca

The big question: Longer evenings at any cost?

On the promenades of Palma the same conversation has been heard for weeks: more brightness in the evening means more life outdoors for many people on the island. At the Passeig del Born the tables remain occupied late, in the harbor the clatter of cutlery and voices can be heard, seagulls screech, and at Playa de Palma beach kiosks and bars stay busy until shortly before midnight. The regional parliament of the Balearic Islands has therefore taken a clear position: permanent summer time. But what does that actually mean for everyday life?

A clear advantage: economy and evening life

Restaurateurs in La Llotja describe a simple mechanism: a few extra bright hours in the evening practically extend opening times – guests order another drink, stay longer, stroll along the promenade after dinner. For organizers of boat tours, open-air cinemas and beach bars, these hours are predictable income time. Hotels report that evening programs, pool use and events run more smoothly when it gets dark later. In short: more light often means more revenue and more work for service staff here.

The other side: darker mornings, different problems

But the calculation has a downside. Permanent summer time shifts daylight in winter so that mornings stay darker for longer. Commuters, schoolchildren and farmers would more often start their days in the dark, tractors roll before sunrise, and children wobble tiredly through the first lesson. Doctors warn about adjustment phases for the biorhythm: sleep problems, concentration difficulties at school and increased accident risk in the early morning hours are possible consequences.

More than the economy: a way of life is at stake

For many Mallorcans it's not just about euros and cents. The late evening light belongs to island life: a café con leche still enjoyed outdoors, a short chat with a neighbor on the Paseo Marítimo, a movie night under the stars. These small rituals are part of the local identity – and they benefit from longer evenings. Still, the question remains whether cultural advantages outweigh the practical disadvantages in the morning.

Politics between island interests and Madrid

Politically the situation is complicated. Spain could decide nationally whether to keep winter time or summer time permanently – or to abolish the twice-yearly clock change altogether. As long as there is no unified decision at EU level, the Balearics are trying to push their perspective. But the islands alone cannot solve the problem: infrastructure issues, labor law and school schedules are national or even European matters.

Better lighting instead of just turning the clock: pragmatic proposals

The debate should not remain a simple yes-or-no question. Practical solutions could help ease many concerns: flexible school and work start times in the winter months, better coordinated timetables for buses and ferries, more reliable street lighting on critical commuter routes, and awareness campaigns on sleep hygiene. Such measures would reduce the disadvantages of dark winter mornings without immediately giving up all the benefits of longer evenings.

A closer look: who wins, who loses?

Winners would clearly be gastronomy, leisure industries and cultural event organizers – sectors that strongly shape Mallorca. Losers could be professions with early shifts, families with small children and some farmers. A fair discussion should therefore consider compensation mechanisms: subsidies for safety equipment, adjusted working time models or pilot projects at municipal level before a permanent nationwide change is implemented.

Conclusion: more questions than quick answers

The Balearic Islands have stated their position, and the reasons are understandable: economic interests, labor protection and a vibrant evening life argue clearly for longer daylight. At the same time, permanent summer time brings challenges that cannot simply be waved away. An island perspective shows: it is about more than clocks; it is about everyday life, safety and rituals.

Our tip: Before moving the clock forward permanently, pilot projects and flexible local solutions should be tested. This would allow assessment of how evening and morning life really change – without throwing the whole island atmosphere overboard.