Lanzarote and Tenerife present case to EU for new ban affecting UK tourists

Lanzarote and Tenerife are set to present a case to the European Union demanding a ban impacting UK tourists. The Government of the Canary Islands will be presenting its case to the European Union seeking a new initiative when it comes to home purchases from foreign buyers.

The move initiative aims to ensure that housing accessibility remains prioritised for native Canarians and foreign residents amidst rising property demand. Pablo Rodríguez, the Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility for the Canary Islands, announced during a parliamentary session that his department is actively developing a Canary-focused agenda in Brussels.

"The Government of the Canary Islands has a clear objective," Rodríguez said. "We are committed to utilising all available mechanisms to guarantee that housing access for Canarians is secured and not distorted by dynamics that do not align with our social and economic realities. This approach is essential to protect our environment from external impacts that adversely affect the housing market and the quality of life for our residents."

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Rodríguez acknowledged the legal complexities surrounding the proposal, noting that European Union law upholds fundamental principles such as the right to freely reside within member states and the right to economic diversification.

"Despite these challenges, it is imperative that we find a solution compatible with these principles, one that respects the European framework while allowing us to implement specific measures to alleviate pressures on our real estate market," he stated.

Rodriguez has declared in a parliamentary session that his department is developing a Canary Islands agenda in Brussels aimed at securing an assessment, by European institutions, of a specific exceptionality for the Canary Islands that would permit the restriction of property transactions involving foreign buyers on the islands.

Lanzarote and Tenerife are two go-to holiday destinations for British tourists, and remain ever popular.