The Balearic Islands are taking steps to ban the sale of homes to foreigners. 38.95% of those who bought housing in the Community last year were foreign investors. The authorities have denounced that the price increase forces citizens to leave the country and that many peoples are becoming empty, as investors use the floors for tourism and speculation.

A committee is set up to study and discuss the ban. Deputy Mayor of the Balearic Islands, Juan Pedro Yllanes, explains that they want to follow the Canadian model. At the beginning of the year, the Canadian Government prohibited the purchase of properties by foreign investors and companies, asylum seekers and those who have recognised their final residence.

In this regard, The Guardian has stated that in the Austrian Alps the European Union has approved the transfer of areas "with the exception of foreign influences" because of their cultural importance; in the Finnish islands Aland there have also been restrictions on the purchase of second homes, and in Croatia whoever wants to buy farmland must reside in them for at least ten years.