About Ibiza

29/07/2025

Island Profile & History

Ibiza covers 571 km², making it the third-largest Balearic island. Archaeological finds confirm human settlement as early as the Copper Age (circa 2000 BCE), but its recorded history begins in 654 BCE, when Phoenician seafarers founded the trading post Ibossim on the site of modern-day Ibiza Town, named after the god Bes, protector of music and fertility – a trait still pulsing through the island’s spirit.

The Carthaginians elevated Ibiza into a Mediterranean trading hub renowned for salt, fish sauce (garum) and purple dye; the legendary warlord Hannibal was reputedly raised here. In 123 BCE, the island became the Roman municipium Ebusus, enjoying considerable autonomy. After Rome’s decline, Ibiza passed briefly into Vandal control, then Byzantine rule.

From the 8th century, Ibiza was held by the Moors for nearly 500 years, known then as Yebisah. They established extensive irrigation systems—still visible in areas like Santa Eulària—and left linguistic legacies in place names such as Benirràs and Es Cubells.

In 1235, Catalan forces under Guillem de Montgrí retook the island. Under Aragonese and later Spanish rule, Ibiza saw church construction, land redistribution, and the erection of over 15 coastal watchtowers—restored to this day—such as Torre d’en Rovira and Torre des Savinar, built to repel Barbary pirates during the 15th–18th centuries.

Isolation and poverty defined the 18th and 19th centuries, until mid‑20th‑century tourism began to reshape its destiny. The 1960s brought the hippie wave: artists and free spirits drawn by Ibiza’s raw beauty, establishing markets like Las Dalias and Punta Arabí, and the countercultural essence in Sant Carles and Benirràs.

Post‑1975, Spain’s democratic shift led to structured development: Ibiza became part of the Balearic autonomous community (1978), gained self-government in 1983, and in 1999 UNESCO designated Dalt Vila, the Phoenician site Sa Caleta and the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows as World Heritage Sites.

Today, Ibiza is a global brand, synonymous with electronic music, sustainable luxury, wellness escapes and international style—yet it preserves an exceptional balance of openness, nature and exclusivity. In 2025, about 154,000 people call it home across five municipalities: Eivissa, Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Sant Antoni de Portmany and Sant Joan de Labritja—each offering its own cultural and geographic character.

Myths & Magic

• Es Vedrà (413 m), off Cala d’Hort, is reputedly an electromagnetic vortex, wrapped in stories of UFO sightings and Homeric sirens.
• The sandstone quarry dubbed “Atlantis” by 1970s drop-outs still bears carved symbols dedicated to the goddess Tanit.

Tourism & Transport (2004 → 2024)

Regular visits by yachts like Eclipse (Abramovich) or Dilbar (Usmanov) highlight the annual JoySail Regatta each September.

Real Estate Market & Buyer Structure Status July 2025

Ibiza’s real estate has one of Europe’s most dynamic growth arcs: €3,300/m² in 2005 → ≈ €7,700/m² island‑wide in 2025; exclusive waterfront villas in Cap Martinet, Vista Alegre, Es Cubells, Porroig, Cala Conta now command €15–125 million, frequently transacted off-market through bespoke agencies like Ibiza One.

Price Evolution

Premier Areas & Price Ranges

• Cap Martinet: €15–25 k/m² — panoramic Formentera views, marina access
• Vista Alegre: €10–18 k — gated community, SW sunsets, private slips
• Es Cubells: €12–32 k — cliff-edge peace & privacy
• Porroig: €10–40 k — peninsula, jet‑set neighbours
• Cala Conta: €9–16 k — west coast sunsets, minimalist modern architecture
• Talamanca/Jesus/Marina Botafoch: €8–15 k — walkable to city and clubs

Buyer Demographics 2024

34 % of purchases are by foreign nationals:

Property Preferences

• Contemporary sea-view villas (by Blakstad, Serra, Carreño)
• Refurbished rural fincas (Santa Gertrudis, San Lorenzo etc.)
• Marina and city apartments (Talamanca, Botafoch)
• Few permitted building plots (strict zoning rules on rustic land)

Notable New & Upcoming Projects

All aim for A+ energetic certification, smart-home integration and ESG-compliant design—key criteria for UHNWI buyers today.

Tax Overview

• New builds: IVA 10 % + AJD stamp duty 1.5–2 %
• Resales: ITP applies on rising scale — 8 % to €400k, 9 % to €600k, 10 % to €1 M, 12 % to €3 M, and 13 % beyond, with a €300k allowance for under-35s or large families
• Wealth tax: 0.2–3.5 % >€3 M (residents), plus a ‘solidarity tax’ for non-residents through 2025
• Corporate vehicles (SL, SOCIMI) may optimize liabilities

Golden Visa Scheme

No longer exists since 2024 – applications submitted before 2024 are still being processed.

€500k unencumbered investment grants a 2-year residency, renewable every 5 years; covers spouse, minor children and dependent parents; no minimum stay required; pathway to citizenship after 10 years of legal Spanish residency.

Market Trends & Outlook

• Growth in off-market, discreet transactions
• ESG & smart‑home delivery becoming baseline
• Trophy fincas refurbished as luxury country estates
• Hybrid work/live spaces: guest houses, staff quarters included
• Ibiza remains a blue-chip lifestyle and capital reserve

Legal & Notarial Framework

Transactions are typically via offices in Ibiza Town (Isidor Macabich, Vara de Rey), though clients to the east rely on Notary Javier Cuevas in Jesús, who provides legal service in Spanish, Catalan, German, English and French. Non‑EU buyers (e.g., UK, US) may require a military permit for properties in rustic or defence-designated areas—property owners from Switzerland are exempt under international agreement.

Architects Reshaping Modern Ibiza

• Blakstad Design – traditional finca vernacular in stone & glass
• Carles Ferrater / OAB – travertine pergolas & large vistas
• Jaime Romano – minimalism in concrete and reflecting pools
• Elias Torres & José Luis Martínez – organic public realm design
• Jaime Serra – modern architecture with natural materials
• Jordi Carreño – cozy futuristic interiors for top venues like Ushuaïa, Hï, UNVRS

Beaches, Coves & Signature Beach Restaurants

Gastronomic Highlights (2025)

• La Gaia ✧
• Casa Jondal ✧
• Maymanta, Es Galliner, Es Tragón ✧, plus a Green Star award
• International names: Zuma Ibiza, Novikov Ibiza, Cipriani Downtown Ibiza, Club Chinois, Gaia Ibiza, OKU, Laylah, Casa Maca, Juntos House, The Claphouse by SEVEN

Nightlife & 2025 Residencies

• Pacha (~3,000) – Solomun +1, CamelPhat, Flower Power
• Amnesia (~5,000) – elrow, Pyramid, Joseph Capriati
• Hï Ibiza (~7,000) – Black Coffee, David Guetta & MORTEN, FISHER/Vintage Culture
• DC‑10 (~1,800) – Circoloco, Solid Grooves
• Ushuaïa open-air (~7,000) – Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia specials
• UNVRS (~10,000) – Carl Cox (14 weeks), Charlotte de Witte, Peggy Gou

Hippie Heritage & Celebrity Culture

Ibiza has drawn free spirits since 1958; Benirràs still hosts anti‑Gulf‑War drumming circles (since 1991). Celebrity regulars include Madonna, Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, George Michael, Kate Moss, Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Cristiano Ronaldo and Will Smith. Native talents: Au/Ra, Miquel Àngel Roig‑Francolí, Yolanthe Cabau.

Essence & Future Outlook

With 34 % of purchases by international buyers, rising private jet and yacht traffic, and zero first‑line land availability, Ibiza remains the Mediterranean’s luxury epicentre. Purchasing here is more than buying real estate—it’s investing in Es Vedrà myth, hippie legacy, and clubland heritage.

International Labels & Fine Dining

Luxury Boutiques (Vara de Rey, Marina Botafoch): Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Loro Piana, Balenciaga, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Saint Laurent, Off‑White, Isabel Marant, Versace, Valentino, Celine, Moncler, Cartier, Rolex, Hublot, TAG Heuer, IWC, Chopard, Panerai

High-End Interiors: Missoni Home, Armani Casa, Roche Bobois, Poliform, Gaggenau, Bulthaup

International Culinary Brands (2025)

In recent years, Ibiza has built a world-class fine-dining scene, welcoming many of the globe’s most sought-after restaurant brands. These aren’t just outposts—they are flagship concepts, tailored for the island’s unique energy and clientele:

• Zuma Ibiza – Modern Japanese cuisine in the heart of Ibiza Town
• Novikov Ibiza – London’s iconic Pan-Asian glamour now on the Med
• Cipriani Downtown Ibiza – Timeless Italian elegance, Jet-Set ambiance
• Casa Maca (Experimental Group) – Elevated farm-to-table with panoramic views
• Laylah – Ibiza-Tel Aviv fusion with a seductive edge
• OKU Restaurant – Refined Nikkei fusion by the luxury hotel brand
• Juntos House – Ethical farm-luxury in Ibiza’s heartland
• Club Chinois – Pan-Asian fine dining by London’s Park Chinois
• The Claphouse Ibiza by SEVEN – High-end Dubai-style concept, new for 2025
• Mira Ibiza – Urban-chic Parisian Mediterranean experience
• Gaia Ibiza – Premium Mediterranean kitchen with raw ingredients and artistic flair

Timeless Essence

Ibiza distills over 2,700 years of living history, sacred cliffs, and countercultural heritage into a hyper-modern luxury lifestyle unlike anywhere else on Earth. It is an island where Phoenician gods, UNESCO ruins, barefoot bohemians and billionaires coexist — all woven into one magnetic, world-defining destination.

Buyer & Seller Essentials

How to Buy with Ibiza One – due diligence, financing, Golden Visa, tax structures
Selling with Ibiza One – valuation, bespoke campaign, discreet off-market channels