Chiringuitos in Formentera during winter 

Closure and dismantling

Formentera, January 14, 2025

The Department of the Sea and Water Cycle of the Balearic Government has announced that the eight beach kiosks in Formentera must dismantle their facilities for at least one month, between January 15 and February 15 of this year. However, this requirement presents challenges, as there is little time left to comply with the regulations, and the dismantling work could extend beyond the stipulated deadline.
Since the Balearic Government took over the management of these responsibilities in July 2023, following the transfer from the Directorate General of Coasts, the possibility of reconsidering this requirement for future years has been raised, provided that the Consell of Formentera formally submits a request.
The Councilor for the Environment of the Consell of Formentera, Verónica Castelló, has already announced her intention to present this request to the Balearic Government. Castelló proposes an alternative: that the kiosks remain closed during the stipulated month but without the need to be removed.

However, any changes will also depend on the Ministry for Ecological Transition, which granted the coastal concessions to the Consell of Formentera. The Balearic Government, for its part, has expressed its willingness to consider options that could facilitate the activity of the concessionaires, as long as they comply with current legal regulations.

Economic impact for concessionaires

The dismantling, storage, and subsequent reinstallation of the kiosks represent a significant expense. According to one of the concessionaires, these tasks could cost around 50,000 euros per installation. Furthermore, the process not only involves one month of closure but also an additional one or two months to complete the tasks due to the complexity of the current wooden structures compared to the older chiringuitos of Formentera.

Environmental and administrative arguments

The concessionaires also warn about the environmental impact of the dismantling work, which would involve truck traffic and noise generation in a protected natural environment. A 2021 environmental study, included in the concession request, considered the kiosks to be fixed installations with year-round operation, refuting the need for regular dismantling.

Chiringuitos as meeting points

For Formentera residents, having the chiringuitos open during the winter months is a luxury: it’s a service that, in a time of year when the island’s leisure business offerings are extremely limited, not only provides a space for socializing and enjoying the surroundings but also brings vitality to an especially quiet season. For this reason, I personally hope that this situation does not repeat itself in the coming years and that a solution can be reached that allows this service to continue without compromising sustainability and in compliance with current regulations.