Andreas and Caro Robens purchase a villa yet express dissatisfaction over their previous rental situation.
In the latest documentary by VOX, "Goodbye Germany!", viewers are taken on a journey to the beautiful Balearic and Canary Islands, where German expats are building new lives, facing challenges, and overcoming obstacles.
One such couple is Andreas and Caro Robens, who recently purchased a villa on Mallorca. Upon acquiring their new home, Andreas declared, "Now I own a piece of Mallorca!" However, the process was not without its difficulties. The Robens found themselves in the midst of a severe housing crisis, escalating property prices, and rising local resentment against foreign buyers.
The housing market in Mallorca has seen a significant surge, with property prices rising by around 15% in the past year alone. This steep increase has made housing a luxury commodity, making it difficult for many expats to purchase affordable property.
The local resentment towards foreign buyers is palpable. Protests, vandalism against German-owned businesses and vehicles, and public slogans like “Germans out” have emerged, reflecting significant local frustration. This social climate poses a challenge for German expats both in terms of safety and integration.
Local governance is also criticised for failing to address decades-long housing and land-use mismanagement, which fuels the crisis. The proliferation of estate agents and tourist accommodations, such as Airbnb, exacerbates housing shortages, pushing locals and expats alike into competitive and expensive markets.
Taxation and administrative issues also complicate expats’ property ownership and residency status. Some German expats avoid registering locally to escape taxes, which fosters resentment among locals.
Despite these challenges, the Robens, like many other expats, are pursuing their dreams in Mallorca. Andreas expressed concern that if nothing is done about the current issues, it will become difficult to get more workers from abroad and locals will struggle to find a place to live.
An unusual aspect of the Robens' property purchase was that the villa was only inspected by a building expert after the contract was signed, which is unusual in Germany. This underscores the complexities and uncertainties that expats face when buying property in Mallorca.
"Goodbye Germany!" emphasises that even in paradise, there are difficulties, but with courage and unity, new perspectives often arise. The documentary demonstrates that challenges and moves are part of life everywhere, whether in Mallorca, Gran Canaria, or at home.
The documentary provides a compelling portrait of German expats in Mallorca and the Canaries, shedding light on the challenges they face and the resilience they exhibit in the face of adversity.
- Andreas and Caro Robens, despite the challenges of a housing crisis, escalating property prices, and local resentment, are still pursuing their dreams in Mallorca.
- The proliferation of estate agents and tourist accommodations, such as Airbnb, exacerbates housing shortages in Mallorca, pushing locals and expats alike into competitive and expensive markets.
- One difficulty that the Robens faced when buying their villa in Mallorca was that the villa was only inspected by a building expert after the contract was signed, which is unusual in Germany.
- Taxation and administrative issues also complicate expats' property ownership and residency status, with some German expats choosing to avoid local registration to escape taxes, which fosters resentment among locals.
