Dream house in Mallorca: Berliner wins two-million-euro finca — and the island benefits too

Dream house in Mallorca: Berliner wins two-million-euro finca — and the island benefits too

A new finca in the island's interior, €150,000 in cash and a contribution to DKMS — an unusual February morning

On Monday, 1 February, the life of a 60-year-old man from Berlin changed: he was drawn as the winner of a German social lottery and will receive a newly built finca in the island's interior worth around two million euros. In addition, he receives €150,000 in cash. The handover of the keys is planned for next week.

The property itself remains without an exact location for data protection reasons; it is known that it is located in the island's interior and is planned to have about 230 square meters of living space. A ten-meter pool, three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a living area with ceilings higher than six meters are part of the package. The house will be handed over fully furnished and ready to move in; the furnishings come from a well-known design collection.

Important for our island: the property was built with energy self-sufficiency in mind. Photovoltaics, a heat pump and a power storage system are installed — technologies that suit the mild climate here and fit into discussions about sustainability. Such examples are seen and requested on Mallorca: craftsmen, installers and service providers across the island were involved in similar projects, and that brings work to the region. Local stories include Emigrants on the Island: Two Couples Start Anew – How Mallorca Benefits, which shows how newcomers and small businesses contribute to the local economy.

The draw comes from a socially oriented lottery that, according to its own information, has existed for around two years and has already raffled off several houses. For this sixth draw a well-known real estate company from the German-speaking region was involved in the search for the property. Only people residing in Germany could participate; island residents were excluded.

For many people on Mallorca such a win is at first a piece of television or newspaper world. In Plaça Major or on the Passeig Mallorca you still hear the murmurs on days like this: a café owner in Santa Catalina, who is just cleaning the espresso machine, smiles and says that stories like these provide conversation. The almond trees are just beginning to bloom, and the field behind an old stone wall is quiet — a perfect backdrop for a new finca that promises peace and retreat.

A not insignificant portion of the ticket proceeds flows into social projects: 20 percent goes to charitable organizations. The main partner of this draw is DKMS, which received a noteworthy donation in the last Mallorca action — at that time the amount was around €1.23 million. Such sums have local effects: they finance work in reforestation, research and patient care, which may not always take place directly on the island but have societal impact.

Why this is positive for Mallorca: firstly, the action shows that the island is in demand for high-quality, sustainable new buildings. That is a small but visible boost for the local construction and service economy. This demand is discussed in Balearic Islands: Housing Becomes a Luxury — Who Will Stay on the Island?. Secondly, the purchase of tickets also has a donation component that raises large sums in comparable raffles. Thirdly, temporary activities arise on site during the handover and maintenance of the house — from cleaning services to garden care.

For the winner a decision now begins: will the finca be used as a retreat for holidays, rented out or permanently occupied? The decision would have consequences for Mallorca: a new house number, contacts with local trades and perhaps a regular visitor who livens up the island in autumn or winter. For now the exact location remains secret to preserve privacy and peace.

Everyday scene: anyone strolling along the Avenidas in Palma in the afternoon hears the bells of bicycle couriers and sees craftsmen carrying boxes out of small delivery vans. These are the people who work on projects like this — often quietly, reliably and with an eye for quality. Such winner stories create a moment in which island interest, sustainability and social commitment come together.

A small suggestion to take away: when lotteries and raffles pool social funds, it is worthwhile to follow the recipient projects more closely. On Mallorca there are initiatives that learn from external donations and strengthen local networks. Those who live here can think along during handovers or introductions to local procedures — that helps maximize the benefit on site.

Conclusion: A Berliner wins a generous, energy-efficient finca in central Mallorca and €150,000 — a private joy that also has a public benefit. Work orders for local craftsmen, attention to sustainable building and a tangible flow of money into social projects: these are the side effects we like on the island. And if you sit in a café soon, you might hear the conversation about the draw and the question of how such a house smells when the almond blossoms fall.