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Tenerife Guru

The Ultimate Guide to Tenerife

  • HOME
  • VISITORS & TOURISTS
  • RESIDENTS
  • BLOG
  • TENERIFE PROPERTY
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    • SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES
    • OUR AGENTS
    • FAVOURITES
  • CONTACT US
Tenerife Guru

Tired of scouring the internet for incomplete, incorrect or out of date information about Tenerife?
TENERIFE GURU is your ultimate guide to Tenerife, covering everything you need to know about our amazing island.

  • HOME
  • VISITORS & TOURISTS
  • RESIDENTS
  • BLOG
  • TENERIFE PROPERTY
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    • SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES
    • OUR AGENTS
    • FAVOURITES
  • CONTACT US

Are you thinking of taking the plunge and starting a new life in Tenerife, either to work, retire, or just provide a better life for you or your family? Perhaps you have already moved to Tenerife but are struggling with the bureaucracy, paperwork or the language? Then look no further. Tenerife Guru’s RESIDENTS section is your ultimate guide to Living in Tenerife or Moving to Tenerife.

It has been painstakingly researched and written to help fill in those blanks. It covers everything that English-speaking residents in Tenerife might need to know, regardless of whether you have just arrived or are already a long-term resident.

Can’t find information you are looking for? Then let us know and we’ll write about it! The site is relatively new and we are constantly adding new material. However, the more feedback and suggestions we receive, the quicker we can improve the site.

Why Tenerife?

Why Tenerife?

Visitors to Tenerife often ask foreign expats why they decided to move here. Depending on the person, answers tend to include any combination of the following: One of the best climates on earth with all-year-round beach weather, low rainfall and...
Bureaucracy & Red Tape

Bureaucracy & Red Tape

So after all the dreaming, planning, soul-searching, scrimping, saving and a few sleepless nights, you have finally taken the plunge and moved your life to Tenerife. Congratulations!
How to obtain your NIE Number in Tenerife

How to obtain your NIE Number in Tenerife

LAST UPDATED: 3rd March 2025 CONTENTS: What is an NIE number? How to Apply for an NIE Documents to Bring to the Police Station Applying for an NIE from outside Spain 1. What is an NIE number? The very first official document...
Residencia in Tenerife - UK Nationals ONLY

Residencia in Tenerife - UK Nationals ONLY

UPDATED 3rd March 2025 OBTAINING RESIDENCIA IN TENERIFE - (UK NATIONALS ONLY) Can UK Nationals still apply for Residencia in Tenerife/Spain? You can still apply, but with the exception of the Digital Nomad Visa, you will first need to...
Residencia in Tenerife for EU Nationals (Not U.K. Nationals)

Residencia in Tenerife for EU Nationals (Not U.K. Nationals)

UPDATES ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR EU APPLICANTS  FOLLOWING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ONLINE RESIDENCIA APPLICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS (APPLY HERE ) ARE NOW BACK UP AND RUNNING AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN. HOWEVER, APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY...
Empadronamiento & Travel Discount Certificate

Empadronamiento & Travel Discount Certificate

UPDATED: 20th February 2024 Empadronamiento Certificate - Applying at the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) The Empadronamiento Certificate (registering on the electoral/residence roll) is obtained at the local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) - two words guaranteed...
BREXIT - How will it affect Brits living in Tenerife?

BREXIT - How will it affect Brits living in Tenerife?

BREXIT IN TENERIFE -  LAST UPDATED:  1st May 2023 TOPICS COVERED BELOW INCLUDE: Residency Rights Driving Licences Medical Care RESIDENCY RIGHTS Good news! The European Union and the United Kingdom government announced on 24th December 2...
Social Security Number (Seguridad Social)

Social Security Number (Seguridad Social)

UPDATED: 3rd March 2025 As well as an NIE number, you will also need to apply for a numero de Seguridad Social (Social Security number) if you: intend to work in Spain (employed or self-employed); wish to use the Spanish National Health...
TENERIFE TAXES - Income, Inheritance, VAT, Stamp Duty, CGT, Property Tax, Plus Valia, Vehicle etc

TENERIFE TAXES - Income, Inheritance, VAT, Stamp Duty, CGT, Property Tax, Plus Valia, Vehicle etc

UPDATED: 3 March 2025 SPANISH TAXES This is perhaps the topic that creates the most confusion and misinformation among expats. In the article below, we aim to provide a basic explanation of the main taxes that resident and non-resident visitors or expats...
Births & Deaths in Tenerife

Births & Deaths in Tenerife

UPDATED 3rd March 2025 CONTENTS: 1. Births in Spain 2. Deaths in Spain BIRTHS IN SPAIN Every birth that takes place on Spanish soil must by law be registered in Spain. Even if you unexpectedly give birth whilst on holiday in Tenerife,...
Schools & Education in Tenerife

Schools & Education in Tenerife

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN TENERIFE UPDATED: 29th February 2024 CONTENTS: 1. State School or Private School 2. Stages of Schooling In Tenerife 3. School Hours 4.  School Terms 5. British Schools in Tenerife 6. Other Considerations 7. University ...
Waste Disposal and Recycling in Tenerife

Waste Disposal and Recycling in Tenerife

WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING IN TENERIFE UPDATED: 29th February 2024 CONTENTS: 1. Domestic Rubbish Bag Collections 2. Domestic Recycling 3. Collection of Large Items 4. Local Waste Processing Centres (Puntos Limpios) 5. List of acceptable items...
Making a Spanish Will -  Things to Consider

Making a Spanish Will - Things to Consider

UPDATED: 29th February 2024 For foreign residents in Tenerife such as English, Scottish and Irish, it is strongly advisable to prepare a separate Will for each country in which you hold assets. Hence, for those with assets in both Spain and their home...
Review your existing Spanish Will - Legal Changes since August 2015

Review your existing Spanish Will - Legal Changes since August 2015

UPDATED: 29th February 2024 Changes were introduced on 17th August 2015, potentially affecting all Spanish Wills previously made by foreigners in Spain. The changes were introduced under a new EU regulation (EU 650/2012) (Click Here for a link to the...
Applying for Probate on Assets in Tenerife after a Death

Applying for Probate on Assets in Tenerife after a Death

UPDATED: 28th February 2024 Applying for Probate in Tenerife So a relative or friend has died in Tenerife. But how do you sort out the paperwork and administer their estate? The first step is to obtain the Death Certificate (Certificado de Fallecimiento)....
BUTANE GAS BOTTLES - How to Obtain or Replace

BUTANE GAS BOTTLES - How to Obtain or Replace

HOW TO OBTAIN OR REPLACE BUTANE GAS BOTTLES (BOMBONAS) UPDATED: 7th June 2023 CONTENTS: 1. About Gas Bottles 2. Procedure for obtaining your first Gas Bottle(s) - a) New Build Properties b) Existing Properties 3. Unofficial Methods of Obtaining...
Timeshare Reclaims Scams - Beware the Cold Callers!

Timeshare Reclaims Scams - Beware the Cold Callers!

A particularly common scam that has been doing the rounds in Tenerife for several years is the Timeshare Reclaim Scam. Numerous clients have historically been mis-sold Timeshare or Holiday Points products. Some have paid money for products they never...
Animal Refuges & Charities in Tenerife

Animal Refuges & Charities in Tenerife

Animal lovers living in or visiting Tenerife will be delighted to learn that there are several animal charities and refuge centres in Tenerife, offering shelter primarily to stray, abandoned or neglected dogs and cats. We have listed a few of...
Removals and Customs Import of Belongings to Tenerife

Removals and Customs Import of Belongings to Tenerife

So you are taking the plunge and moving over to Tenerife. However, maybe you aren't entirely certain that the move will be permanent or that you will settle here. So what do you do with all those years of accumulated belongings (we never call it 'junk')? One...
Importing a vehicle into Tenerife

Importing a vehicle into Tenerife

UPDATED: 3rd January 2022 There is no doubt that Tenerife loves cars. It was recently estimated that the island is home to 1 out of every 1000 cars on the planet! For an island of just over 2000 square kilometres with an official resident population...
Car & Van Insurance in Tenerife

Car & Van Insurance in Tenerife

As in most countries, it is compulsory to have insurance before driving your vehicle on the roads. In Spain it is a legal requirement to carry a copy of your insurance policy. Carrying a receipt of payment is no longer compulsory, as the police can generally...
Bringing Pets to Tenerife

Bringing Pets to Tenerife

For those of us wishing to pack our bags and relocate to our beautiful island, or perhaps for those ‘swallows’ who spend the winter months here, it would be almost unbearable without being accompanied by our favourite furry friends. In order to tra...
Obtaining Medical Care in Tenerife

Obtaining Medical Care in Tenerife

UPDATED: 18th January 2021 How do foreigners obtain or register for medical care in Spain? The following rules apply for citizens of the EU and UK Nationals. For other nationalities, different rules apply. VISITORS & TOURISTS Visitors...
Police in Tenerife

Police in Tenerife

Unlike in some countries, there are three distinct branches of police force in Spain. 1. Policia Local (Local Police) 2. Policia Nacional (National Police) 3. Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) Each have very distinct roles, but often work...
Consular Services Available in Tenerife

Consular Services Available in Tenerife

UPDATED: 23rd February 2022 The British Consulate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife represents the UK government in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro and can provide support and assistance to UK nationals whilst in the said territories. However, due...
Overseas voting rights for UK and Irish Citizens

Overseas voting rights for UK and Irish Citizens

UK and IRISH CITIZENS Unfortunately, Irish citizens residing permanently outside Ireland currently do not have the right to participate in Irish elections. However, a referendum is proposed for 2018 to decide whether to grant the vote to some or all...
Getting Divorced or Legally Separated in Tenerife

Getting Divorced or Legally Separated in Tenerife

LAST UPDATED 15th December 2022 According to official figures, over 35% of marriages among British partners are destined to end in divorce and that figure appears to be rising year on year. Although there are no precise figures available for divorces...
Learning Spanish in Tenerife

Learning Spanish in Tenerife

This is a particularly hot topic in Tenerife where the British and Irish are involved and there are many differing views on the issue. It is universally considered prudent (and beneficial) to attempt to learn the language of your adopted country of...
Television, Internet & Media in Tenerife

Television, Internet & Media in Tenerife

This is such a fast-moving area that it is almost impossible to provide continuously updated information. Landline Phone Lines Movistar (formerly known as Telefonica) sadly still holds an effective monopoly on the landline, ADSL and fibre-optic...
Post Office Services in Tenerife (Correos)

Post Office Services in Tenerife (Correos)

Correos is the national postal service (the equivalent of Royal Mail in the UK). Their website can be found here: CORREOS.ES What in theory should be a straightforward and efficient service sometimes suffers from apathy and a lack of customer service,...
Applying for your Spanish Criminal Record Certificate

Applying for your Spanish Criminal Record Certificate

LAST EDITED: 6th February 2023 Anyone having spent time in Spain (resident or non-resident) has the right to apply for a certificate detailing their Spanish criminal record file (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales ). An example certificate can be viewed...
Criminal Records Checks - UK & Ireland

Criminal Records Checks - UK & Ireland

OBTAINING UK OR IRISH CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS WHILST IN TENERIFE Last Updated: 22nd January 2021   In today's heavily regulated world, more and more employers, adoption agencies and countless other organisations are requesting that applicants...
Public Holidays and Fiestas

Public Holidays and Fiestas

UPDATED: 8th January 2021 Please note that certain events (e.g. Romerias) in Tenerife may be subject to change or cancellation in 2021 due to possible ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. Fortunately for those who work in Tenerife, the island enjoys...
Romerias in Tenerife

Romerias in Tenerife

LAST UPDATED: 8th January 2021 The following is a much-reduced and PROVISIONAL list of Romerias in Tenerife for the year 2021. Unsurprisingly, each event is subject to change or cancellation if local Covid-19 restrictions are in place that affect...
Digital Certificates in Tenerife- How to obtain or replace one

Digital Certificates in Tenerife- How to obtain or replace one

UPDATED 13th November 2020 OBTAINING OR REPLACING A DIGITAL CERTIFICATE IN TENERIFE Contents of this Page Do you NEED a Digital Certificate? Types of Digital Certificate What Administrative Procedures are available using a Digital...
Cannabis in Tenerife

Cannabis in Tenerife

LAST UPDATED: 15th September 2021 CONTENTS: Possession & Consumption Cultivation Selling Other Hemp Products The difference between THC and CBD How to legally obtain Cannabis in Tenerife How do Cannabis Social Clubs Operate?   One ...
UK and Irish Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates - How to Obtain Online

UK and Irish Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates - How to Obtain Online

How to obtain copies of UK and Irish Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates Online Updated 5th January 2021   We are often asked whether it is possible to obtain official copies of Birth, Death and Marriage certificates from the UK or Ireland...
Renewing or Replacing a UK Passport whilst in Tenerife

Renewing or Replacing a UK Passport whilst in Tenerife

Updated: 3 March 2025           Are you a UK National or Passport Holder in Tenerife and wish to apply for, renew or replace a UK Passport without leaving the island? Then you've come to the...
Making an official complaint in Tenerife

Making an official complaint in Tenerife

Spend enough time in Tenerife and eventually you are bound to encounter some degree of shoddy service, defective goods or something else that simply isn't up to standard. In most cases, such problems can be resolved by raising the issue with...
Obtaining Official Translations of Documents for use in Tenerife

Obtaining Official Translations of Documents for use in Tenerife

Foreigners involved in personal or business transactions, or administrative or court proceedings in Spain are often asked to produce a document from their home country translated into Spanish. Such translations can sometimes be unofficial and prepared...
Legalising / Apostilling a Spanish Document

Legalising / Apostilling a Spanish Document

Updated: 28 June 2023 Before accepting various legal documents or certificates that originated overseas, most foreign countries will insist on the document first being legalised with an apostille. This is a procedure recognised by most countries...
Coronavirus / Covid-19 Vaccines in Tenerife - Availability and Rollout

Coronavirus / Covid-19 Vaccines in Tenerife - Availability and Rollout

Coronavirus / Covid-19 Vaccines in Tenerife - Availability and Rollout Updates below are in date order (most recent first): Explanatory note as to availability of the vaccine Those eligible for free Spanish state healthcare will be automatically contacted...
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