Illegal tourist rentals often have very negative consequences for local populations, causing sharp increases in their housing rents. But since accommodation in Ibiza is so expensive, tourists are also beginning to opt for less conventional options. And it is that one cannot qualify otherwise to a Citroën Berlingo that has been refurbished to be a kind of mini motor home. “Belinda”, as the owners call the van, is a hit on Airbnb.
“Hi! You’ve come to the right place to find an adorable and reliable road companion for the simplest of trips, without dramas or exorbitant gas bills! Belinda may look like a 5-seater car to the untrained eye, but it secretly transforms into a sofa, a dining area, a cooking station, a storage space and a bed!”, begins the message posted on the Airbnb platform.
A van to sleep in
“Here we offer you the camper van Citroën Berlingo “Belinda”. In good condition and with all the necessary elements and utensils so you can stay on the road for a few days and see the island from a different perspective! You can sleep in a comfortable bed for two and watch the sunrise/sunset from your “room” inside the vehicle”, they add.
The owners point out that it is “perfect” for beach days due to its ease of parking anywhere because of its size and, on the other hand, that it performs well in mountainous excursions.
Price and requirements for renting “Belinda”.
The vehicle has a large double bed of 1.30 x 1.83 gas camping, portable refrigerator, portable shower, tables and chairs, kitchen utensils, sheets and comforters (depending on the season), umbrella, games and “some surprises”, according to the publication.
The minimum rental period is 3 nights, with a price of $216 (of which $28.58 corresponds to the fee charged by the platform) excluding taxes. A little more than 200 euros at the exchange rate. But there are two requirements to be able to rent the car: leave a deposit of 200 euros and be over 25 years old.
The publication has 116 comments, all of them positive, highlighting the vehicle and the attention of its owner Lukas. With 4.94 stars out of 5, the platform defines it as “one of the most popular accommodations on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews and reliability”.
Beyond the happiness of the tourists, the truth is that this “housing” meets almost none of the requirements established by the recent Royal Decree 1312/2024 of the Government for tourist housing to obtain a registration number:
- Cadastral reference and the exact address of the property.
- It will be detailed, if you want to rent the whole house or by rooms.
- Number of people who will be able to use the dwelling.
- Complies with the requirements established in the Autonomous Community where the home is located.
The Decree in question came into force on January 2, 2025, but the provisions will start to apply as from July 1, 2025, with the aim of granting owners, platforms and administrations a period of technological and functional adaptation. Finally, this type of rental also does not comply with the requirements established by the regulations of the autonomous community, such as the current certificate of occupancy.
