Chiringuitos 2026 

Defying the Dismantling Order

Formentera, January 19, 2026

Once again, the beach chiringuitos of Formentera have taken center stage in a never-ending story. The regulation requiring them to dismantle every winter has once again clashed directly with the conditions imposed by the Consell Insular, and in the midst of this back-and-forth, the kiosks remain standing. Meanwhile, both locals and visitors look on with a certain disbelief at yet another chapter of this administrative mess.

On January 15, the official period began for dismantling the beach structures, as stipulated by the concession granted by the Directorate-General for the Coast and the Sea, under the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
That authorization makes it clear that the kiosks must be removed between January 15 and February 15. However, on the ground, the reality is quite different: seven of the eight kiosks were still standing, although not visibly operating.

The Consell de Formentera was aware of this requirement since June 2023, but in the terms of the tender for awarding the concessions, a difficult condition was included: that the chiringuitos remain open all year round. This requirement, hardly compatible with national regulations, has become the main argument used by concessionaires to avoid dismantling, claiming they were simply complying with the demands of the local authority.
As things stand, the chiringuitos of Formentera are caught in a legal limbo, and once again, the general feeling is one of confusion. Neither the managers are sure what exactly they’re supposed to do, nor do we, the users, know whether we’ll be able to enjoy them next summer.

The Regulation Nobody Seems to Follow

The Directorate-General for the Coast and the Sea was clear: the facilities must be dismantled every winter to protect the coastline. But for the second consecutive year, most concessionaires have chosen to keep their structures in place, despite the fines they were previously issued. The Consell Insular imposed penalties of €1,500, and the Balearic Government opened sanctioning procedures that are still in progress, with the possibility of revoking concessions for “breach of essential conditions.”

Two Administrations, Two Different Rules

The root of the problem lies in the contradiction between the two administrations. While national regulations require dismantling, the Consell Insular demands year-round service. The result: concessionaires are forced to break one rule or the other, depending on which authority they choose to obey.
The Balearic Government already has a legal report recommending the cancellation of the chiringuito concessions due to repeated serious violations in recent seasons. To the list of breaches up to 2025, the current refusal to dismantle in 2026 would now be added.

An Uncertain Future for the Chiringuitos

As of today, seven of the eight chiringuitos remain standing, although inactive. Only Bartolo’s kiosk, in Es Copinar, has been dismantled. His decision contrasts with the rest, who prefer to keep their structures in place while waiting for the institutions to clarify their stance—or to resolve the matter in court if needed.
The institutional conflict has left the concessionaires in a state of complete uncertainty. The sanctions, reports, and conflicting rules now threaten to bring an end to a tradition that is part of Formentera’s landscape and daily life.

Meanwhile, regular users like myself still don’t quite understand what’s going on, and above all, how it will all end. The contradictions between institutions and the lack of clear rules only increase the sense of chaos.
Honestly, it’s becoming harder and harder to understand—and then explain here on this blog—the situation surrounding the chiringuito concessionaires and the governmental institutions in Formentera and the Balearic Islands.