The state rule
Governing: Real Decreto 191/2026, de 11 de marzo (BOE 64, 13 Mar 2026), arts. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 12; in force 2 April 2026. Builds on: L2.1.
What changed in 2026
RD 191/2026 is the first state-wide seagrass decree for Spain's Mediterranean waters. It entered into force twenty days after publication, on 2 April 2026 (final provision 2). Three things matter to a yacht skipper:
- It protects two species: Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa.
- It applies throughout Spain's Mediterranean waters under national sovereignty or jurisdiction, not only in regional waters (art. 1.2).
- It spells out the chain-swing rule in the text of the ban itself.
Article 5.1: the chain-swing rule
The ban covers anchoring sobre dichas praderas, así como en áreas de arena próximas si la cadena u otros elementos de fondeo se sitúan directamente sobre ellas o resultan afectadas por el borneo.
In plain English: you may not anchor on a meadow, and you may not anchor on nearby sand if your chain or other gear lies on the meadow or reaches it as the boat swings (borneo). The anchor being in sand is not a defence. The whole circle your chain can sweep has to be clear of seagrass.
| Situation | Legal under art. 5? |
|---|---|
| Anchor on meadow | No |
| Anchor on sand, chain lies on meadow | No |
| Anchor on sand, chain swings onto meadow when the wind shifts | No |
| Anchor on sand, full swing circle on sand | Yes |
| Authorised buoy over meadow | Yes (art. 5.2) |
Exceptions (art. 5.3)
- Force majeure or danger to life at sea or navigation.
- Authorised scientific or biodiversity-management work.
- Authorised archaeological work on underwater cultural heritage.
- Authorised repair work on existing installations.
How it fits with the Balearic decree
Art. 1.2 says the state decree acts as a minimum in protected marine areas with ecological continuity with a terrestrial protected area, without prejudice to regional rules. Final provision 1 says it is basic legislation, and regions may add stricter protection. In the Balearics, then, you comply with both: Decreto 25/2018 (Posidonia, buoy fields, chain) and RD 191/2026 (adds Cymodocea and the explicit swing test). Where either is stricter, that one bites.
CAUTION — Cymodocea looks different Cymodocea nodosa has thinner, shorter leaves than Posidonia and often forms sparse patches on sand that you might otherwise call "clean". It is now protected against anchoring too. If the "sand" has green shoots in it, treat it as a meadow unless the official map says otherwise.
Other articles you will meet
- Art. 3.5: authorities must publish where the buoy fields are and how they are run, so that users can avoid anchoring on meadows.
- Art. 6: buoy fields over meadows are treated as passive restoration projects; their manager must be a public body; buoys go on sand first where possible.
- Art. 12: offences are sanctioned under Ley 42/2007 (L2.3).
TIP — What to tell guests "The law now covers where the chain goes, not just the anchor." Guests who charter every summer may remember the 2018 rule; the state decree makes the swing circle explicit.