A guide to Moving to Lanzarote

Each year, I meet people from every corner of the globe who decide to make Lanzarote their home. Some are drawn by our gentle climate, others by the slower pace of life, and many simply fell under the island’s spell during a holiday and couldn’t quite let go. No matter what brings you here, turning that dream into reality does take some paperwork and planning, but it is all part of the adventure.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials, whether you’re arriving from within the EU or from further afield. The steps can vary depending on where you’re coming from, and getting things sorted early on will make your move much smoother in the long run.

Important: This page is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Immigration rules, visa requirements, and administrative procedures change regularly. Always check the latest guidance from the Spanish consulate in your country or consult a qualified immigration lawyer (abogado de extranjería) before making decisions based on what you read here.

If you hold a passport from an EU country, or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you are free to come and make a home here in Spain without the need for a visa. All you need is your passport or national ID card, and you can stay for as long as you like. It really is as simple as that.

Once you arrive on the island, the paperwork starts to come into play. If you plan to stay for more than three months, you will need to register as a resident. Most people begin this process within their first few weeks, as you will soon discover that these documents are needed for just about everything, from opening a bank account to finding somewhere to live.

NIE Number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

The NIE is your foreign identification number, and you will find it is needed for almost everything here in Spain. Whether you are renting or buying a home, setting up utilities, opening a bank account, paying taxes or even buying a car, this is the key document you will be asked for time and again. get.

You can apply for your NIE at the Policía Nacional office in Arrecife. To do this, you will need to book an appointment (cita previa) online through the Spanish government website. When you go along, take your passport, a completed EX-15 form, a passport photo, and something to show why you need the NIE, such as a rental contract or a job offer. There is a small fee (around 12 euros), which you pay at a bank using a Modelo 790 form before your appointment.

The NIE is simply a number printed on a certificate. It is not an ID card and does not prove residency on its own, but you will soon realise that you cannot do much without it, so it is always best to arrange this first.

Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE (Green Certificate)

This is your official residency registration as an EU citizen. It comes as a green A4 certificate, often called the green card or green residency, and it confirms that you are registered as a resident in Spain. Since Brexit, this is only available to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals.

You apply for this at the Oficina de Extranjería in Arrecife, again by booking a cita previa. You will need to bring your passport, your NIE, proof of employment or self-employment (or proof of sufficient funds and private health insurance if you are not working), proof of address, and the completed EX-18 form. The fee is around 12 euros.

Once you have this certificate, you are officially a registered resident. For EU citizens, it does not expire, but do remember to update your address if you move to a new home on the island.

If you are coming from outside the EU, settling in Lanzarote takes a little more planning. You will need to arrange a visa before you arrive, and the right one for you depends on how you hope to spend your time here.

Tourist Entry (90 Days)

Many visitors from countries like the UK, US, Canada and Australia can enjoy up to 90 days in Spain, including Lanzarote, without needing a visa. This is thanks to the Schengen agreement, which covers much of Europe. It is important to know that you cannot work during this time, and it is not a route to residency. Once your 90 days are up, you will need to leave the country.

Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa)

This is a popular choice for retirees and those with their own income who dream of making Lanzarote their home without working here. You will need to apply for this visa at the Spanish consulate in your home country before you set off.

To qualify, you will usually need to show that you have enough funds to support yourself (at the moment, this means about 2,400 euros per month for the main applicant), along with private health insurance that covers you in Spain, a clean criminal record, and a medical certificate. The visa is granted for one year to start with, and once you arrive on the island, you can apply for your residency card. It is possible to renew this visa in the future.

This visa does not allow you to work in Spain, which is what 'non-lucrative' means. If life changes and you decide you would like to work here, you would need to look into a different type of permit.

Work Visa and Permits

For those hoping to work in Lanzarote as a non-EU citizen, the process can be a bit more complicated. Usually, you will need a job offer from a Spanish employer, who must show that the position cannot be filled by someone from the EU. The employer starts the process by applying for work authorisation, and once that is approved, you can apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate in your home country.

If you are thinking about setting up your own business here, you can apply for a self-employed (autónomo) visa. You will need to provide a business plan, show your qualifications, and demonstrate that your business idea is likely to succeed in Spain.

Digital Nomad Visa

Since 2023, Spain has offered a digital nomad visa for remote workers whose employers or businesses are based outside the country. To qualify, you will need to show that you work remotely, meet a minimum income level, and have relevant experience. This visa lets you enjoy life in Lanzarote for up to a year, with the option to renew, and there are some attractive tax benefits in the early years.

TIE Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

When you arrive in Spain with your long-stay visa, you will need to apply for your TIE card within 30 days. This is your official residency card, complete with your photo, NIE number, and visa details. In Lanzarote, you apply at the Policía Nacional office in Arrecife, and you will need to book an appointment in advance. Be sure to bring your passport, visa, completed EX-17 form, passport photos, proof of address, and the fee (currently about 16 euros, paid via Modelo 790).

Since Brexit, the process for UK citizens wanting to settle in Lanzarote has become a little more involved. Gone are the days when you could simply arrive and register as a resident. Now, you will need to organise a visa before you can make the move and start your new life here.

British nationals who were already legally resident in Spain before 31 December 2020 are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement. They hold a TIE card marked "Artículo 50 TUE" which confirms their rights. If that is you, your situation is secure.

If you are considering making the move now, the most common route is the non-lucrative visa, ideal for those with savings or a pension who are happy to enjoy island life without working. If you have a job offer, a work visa is another option. We are also seeing more people arriving on the digital nomad visa, which is perfect if you work remotely for a UK employer and want to experience Lanzarote’s unique lifestyle while you do.

UK passport holders are now limited to 90 days at a time as tourists, and this rule is taken much more seriously than before. Overstaying can lead to fines or even being refused entry next time, so it is important to plan ahead. If you are hoping to spend longer periods enjoying Lanzarote, you will need to follow the correct visa process.

The padrón is simply the local register of residents, and everyone living in Spain should be on it, no matter where you are from or what your visa situation is. It is not connected to immigration, but rather acts as a census and, just as importantly, serves as your official proof of address for all kinds of everyday matters here on Lanzarote.

To register, you just need to pop along to your local ayuntamiento, or town hall. Here on Lanzarote, that will be the one in your municipality; Teguise, Arrecife, Tías, Yaiza, San Bartolomé, Tinajo, or Haría. Take your passport (and NIE or TIE if you have one), your rental contract or property deed, and a recent utility bill. In some cases, your landlord may need to come with you or provide a signed letter, so it is always worth checking with your local office first.

Once you are registered, you will be given a certificado de empadronamiento, which is your official proof of address. You will find this document comes in handy for all sorts of things, from signing up with a local doctor to enrolling your children in school, accessing some social services, and even when the time comes to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Here in Spain, we are fortunate to have a reliable public healthcare system known as Seguridad Social. If you are working and contributing to Social Security, both you and your family are automatically covered. The process is straightforward: simply register at your local health centre with your SIP card, and you will be able to access care when you need it.

For those of you who are retired and receiving a state pension from another EU country, you can access the Spanish public healthcare system using an S1 form from your home country. Many EU retirees here in Lanzarote use this route, and it is still available for British residents who settled before Brexit, thanks to the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you are living here on a non-lucrative visa or do not qualify for public healthcare, you will need to arrange private health insurance. This is a standard part of the visa process. There are a number of providers on the island, and the cost will depend on your age and the level of cover you choose. As a rough guide, most people pay between 60 and 200 euros per month, so it is worth comparing options to find what suits you best.

On Lanzarote, we have the main hospital, Doctor José Molina Orosa, located in Arrecife, as well as a network of local health centres across the island. For more specialised treatment or complex procedures, it is sometimes necessary to travel to hospitals in Gran Canaria or Tenerife, but for most day-to-day needs, you will find excellent care right here at home.

If you find yourself spending more than half the year here in Spain, you’ll be classed as a tax resident. That means you’ll need to let the Spanish tax office (Agencia Tributaria) know about all your income, no matter where it comes from.

One of the perks of living in the Canary Islands is that we enjoy a few tax advantages over mainland Spain. For example, our local version of VAT, known as IGIC, is just 7%, which is quite a bit lower than the 21% you’ll find on the mainland. There are also some special incentives for businesses under the ZEC (Zona Especial Canaria) scheme, although these are mainly for companies rather than individuals.

Income tax here works on a sliding scale, starting at 19% and rising for those who earn more. The Canary Islands can set their own rates for part of this tax, so things can be a little different from the mainland. Most newcomers find it easiest to use a local gestor (a tax advisor or administrative agent) to look after their annual tax return and keep everything above board. A reliable gestor usually charges between 30 and 60 euros a month, and in my experience, it’s money well spent for peace of mind.

Opening a Bank Account

To make life easier here, you’ll want to open a Spanish bank account for things like rent, bills, and direct debits. Most banks will ask for your passport, NIE, and something to show your address, such as a padrón certificate or your rental contract. Some banks are a bit more particular than others, but you’ll find branches of CaixaBank, Santander, and BBVA dotted around Lanzarote. I always recommend giving them a quick call first to check exactly what paperwork they’ll need before you pop in.

Many of us keep a bank account back home too, especially if we have income coming in from abroad. Services like Wise (which used to be called TransferWise) are very popular among expats here for moving money between countries, as they usually offer better exchange rates than the traditional banks.

Having your own car on Lanzarote makes life so much easier. While there is public transport, it can be quite limited, and the island is spread out enough that getting from place to place without your own wheels can be a real challenge, especially if you are living outside Arrecife.

EU driving licences are valid in Spain. You do not need to exchange them, though you can voluntarily register your licence with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) for administrative convenience.

If you have a non-EU driving licence, things are a bit more complicated. Most non-EU licences are accepted for the first six months after you become resident here. After that, you will need to either exchange your licence for a Spanish one or take the Spanish driving test. Whether you can exchange directly depends on whether your home country has an agreement with Spain. For example, the UK now has a post-Brexit agreement that allows for licence exchange, but for countries like the US and Canada, it can depend on your state or province. Some people do end up having to take the Spanish test, which has a reputation for being quite tough.

If you are thinking about buying a car here, there are a few steps to keep in mind. You will need to register the car with the DGT, arrange insurance, and if you are buying second-hand, budget for the ITP (transfer tax), which is usually around 4-5% of the declared value. There is also some paperwork involved, and many people choose to use a gestoría to handle it all for a few hundred euros. It can save you quite a bit of time and hassle, as dealing with the DGT directly can be a bit of a process.

Check our driving in Lanzarote page for more information.

Over the past few years, finding a long-term rental here on Lanzarote has become more of a challenge. With so many properties now offered as holiday lets or short-term stays, there are fewer homes available for those of us looking to settle in for a while, and prices have certainly reflected that. Patience and a bit of determination are often needed, but with some persistence, it is still possible to find a comfortable place to call home.

Most people find long-term rentals through local estate agents, Facebook groups, or simply by chatting with neighbours and friends. Websites like Idealista and Fotocasa are also useful. Be prepared to pay a deposit (usually two months), the first month’s rent in advance, and sometimes an agency fee that’s about the same as one month’s rent. Landlords will usually want to see proof of income or employment, so it helps to have your paperwork ready.

Each of Lanzarote’s main towns and resorts has its own unique character. Arrecife, our capital, offers the best amenities and transport connections, though it may not win any beauty contests. Costa Teguise is a favourite with families, while Puerto del Carmen is lively and full of activity, though it can feel quite touristy at times. Playa Blanca, on the other hand, is quieter and more spacious, perfect if you prefer a slower pace. If you are drawn to a more traditional island lifestyle, the inland villages like Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Haría have a special charm and usually lower rents, though you will need a car to get around.

If you are thinking about buying a property here, you will need to go through the notary, the land registry, and usually work with a lawyer. One bit of good news is that purchase taxes in the Canaries are lower than on the mainland, with around 6.5% IGIC on new builds or ITP on resales. I always recommend choosing an independent lawyer, rather than one suggested by the seller or estate agent, to make sure your interests are protected.

Take some time to learn a little Spanish before you arrive. While you can manage with English in the main tourist spots, everyday life here often means visits to the bank, the doctor, or the town hall, and these are all much easier if you have some Spanish under your belt. Most official paperwork is only in Spanish, so even a few months of lessons before you move can make things much smoother.

Use a gestoría. This is a very Spanish solution to the endless paperwork that comes with living here. A good gestor will help you with everything from tax returns and registering a car to sorting out business paperwork, and most of us on the island rely on them. They are surprisingly affordable and can save you a lot of time and stress.

Be patient with bureaucracy. The cita previa system (online appointments for government services) can be maddening. Appointments are often booked weeks in advance and slots get snapped up quickly. Check first thing in the morning and be prepared to refresh the page. Some processes that feel like they should take a day can take weeks.

Be realistic about your budget. Lanzarote is often thought of as a bargain, but prices for rent, groceries, and eating out have all crept up in recent years. While life here is still more affordable than in much of northern Europe, it is not as cheap as many expect. It is worth taking a close look at your finances before making the leap.

If possible, try a trial run before making a permanent move. Renting for a few months gives you a real feel for daily life, which is quite different from being on holiday (although at the time of writing rentals are very hard to find). Once the initial excitement of the sunshine settles, you start to notice the little things, like the wind, the smaller selection of shops, and just how compact the island really is. Most people who settle here wouldn’t change it for the world, but it’s always best to arrive with your eyes open.

This page was last reviewed in March 2026. Immigration rules and administrative procedures can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with the Spanish consulate in your country or a qualified legal professional before making any decisions about relocating.