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?
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
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
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
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)
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
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 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)
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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!
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
