Extraordinary, Urgent and Temporary Measures to Mitigate the Impact of the Middle East Economic Crisis

This Saturday, May 2, Decree-Law 1/2026 of April 1, issued by the Government of the Balearic Islands, was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). The decree adopts extraordinary, urgent, and temporary measures aimed at mitigating the economic effects arising from the war in the Middle East.

Among the measures of greatest interest for companies linked to the maritime and nautical sector are those related to price review mechanisms in public contracts, liquidity financing for SMEs and self-employed workers, tax benefits on certain port fees, and freight aid for exports.

Regarding public procurement, the decree-law establishes that if the Spanish Government approves basic regulations for exceptional price reviews, these will also apply within the Balearic regional administration. In addition, contracting authorities must include, whenever legally possible, price review clauses in tender documents approved until December 31, 2026.

The regulation also includes extraordinary financing aid, with a maximum budget of €4 million, aimed at self-employed workers and SMEs in the Balearic Islands, including those in the transport sector. These grants may be applied for until December 31, 2026, under the terms established in the corresponding call for applications.

In the port sector, a temporary 50% reduction in certain port fees is established from April 1 to June 30, 2026, for shipping companies operating regular line services to ports under regional jurisdiction. This reduction may be extended into the third quarter of 2026 by decision of the Government Council.

Finally, the decree-law provides for an extraordinary call from the Ministry of Business, Self-Employed Workers and Energy for freight transport aid aimed at supporting exports by companies operating in the Balearic Islands. With a maximum budget of €2 million, the measure seeks to offset increased logistics and transport costs.

The full text of the decree-law can be consulted at this LINK.