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Over 15 pirate radio stations broadcast in Ibiza with total impunity

Forget rules. On Ibiza’s FM dial, pirate radios are running wild, blasting beats with zero licenses and a whole lot of attitude, while authorities crack down hard on visible parts of the nightlife : beach DJs or pirate taxis. At least 23 unlicensed stations are broadcasting across the island. And no one’s stopping them. (Source)

While official stations play by the book, others jump on the waves with DIY antennas, dodgy cabling, and pure festival energy. You’ll find them at 87.6, 95.2, 106.0. Names like Ibiza Sonica, Loca FM, Ibiza Live Radio. Some even broadcast from shacks without building permits. This isn’t just underground, it’s off the grid. Some are even jamming the airport radio frequences.

But let’s be real: this isn’t just punk radio culture. It’s a money machine. Ads are sold under the table, events get plugged to tourists, and there’s no oversight. They don’t pay license fees, they don’t follow content rules, and they don’t pay tax on their ad revenue. And…they don’t pay artists by having contracts with the SGAE. Meanwhile, licensed radio stations are bound by strict broadcasting law, language quotas, administrative audits, and frequency coordination.

It’s not a level playing field. It’s barely even the same game.

Authorities? “Investigating,” they say. Fines of €200,000 are on the books but no one’s paid a cent.

The Big Contradiction: Crackdowns Everywhere… Except Here

And this is where it gets wild.

Just last month, the iconic Sa Trinxa beach bar a beloved symbol of Ibiza’s Balearic spirit announced the end of all DJ sets, following enforcement of protected nature park regulations. The beach can play music, but no more live DJs. The mood? Broken. A petition launched immediately, now with over 3,600 signatures, but the ban stands.

The same strictness applies pirate taxis, aggressively policed.

But for pirate radio? Nothing. No raids. No shutdowns. No consequences.  Authorities cite administrative backlog, “complex investigations,” and “jurisdictional hurdles.”

Officially, the island has 17 licensed FM stations, including::

  • Cadena 100

  • Europa FM

  • Kiss FM

  • Onda Cero

  • Los 40

  • Ibiza Global Radio

  • Pure Ibiza radio

  • IB3 Ràdio (regional public)

  • Radio Nacional de España (national public)

  • Hit FM, Radio Marca, SER, etc.

Is This 80s France All Over Again?

There’s a historical echo here. In the 1980s, France legalized its pirate radio stations, transforming them from illegal operators into part of the national media landscape. Many of today’s biggest French broadcasters :Skyrock, NRJ, Radio Nova, started as outlaw voices.

Could the same happen in Ibiza? Maybe. But there’s a key difference.

This isn’t about freedom of speech. It’s about money.

These aren’t voices of resistance. These are voices of commerce,  cutting corners, cashing in, and avoiding the rules.

Sample pirate frequencies in Ibiza:

Ibiza is a radio free-for-all. Some call it illegal, others call it freedom. But the FM dial is packed, and everyone wants airtime.

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