The Canary Islands Government has reiterated its appeal to the European Union to adopt measures that could help curb the rising number of property purchases by non-resident foreigners, which officials say is fuelling a housing affordability crisis across the archipelago.
Speaking during the second and final day of the General Assembly of the Islands Commission of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions of Europe, held in La Palma, Vice-Councillor of the Presidency Alfonso Cabello described the issue as “a very clear concern” for the regional government.
According to Cabello, nearly 25% of homes sold in the Canary Islands are purchased by a non-resident foreigner. “It’s not just about identifying the problem, we have to analyse it and find a solution,” he said. The government is therefore exploring the possibility of introducing residency regulations or other legislative tools to control property acquisitions by non-residents.
The concern reflects broader anxieties over housing access and demographic pressures. In response, the Canary Islands government is implementing policies aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing, not only through public housing schemes but also within the private rental and ownership markets.
Cabello also warned of demographic imbalances, noting that while some areas of the islands have grown by over 100% in the past 20 years, others have seen population decline. “We need to be able to manage that growth,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving the unique character of the islands.
The idea of limiting foreign property ownership is gaining traction in Europe, though the debate is still in its early stages. Cabello confirmed that the Canary Islands President, Fernando Clavijo, will go to Brussels in mid-May to meet with the European Commissioner responsible for a new strategic housing plan for the EU.
Cabello called for this plan to reflect the “circumstances and singularities” of territories like the Canary Islands. “We need to open this debate and explore, step by step, how we can introduce these limitations,” he said.
Also speaking at the assembly, the Canary Islands’ Minister for Territorial Policy, Nieves Lady Barreto, emphasised the urgent need for a law that could limit residency rights for non-residents. She described this as a necessary step to address both the housing shortage and overpopulation in certain parts of the islands.
“This is a difficult task, it’s complicated, but not impossible,” she asserted, urging the EU to consider the specific needs of the islands when allocating new cohesion funds.
The Government of the Canary Islands also presented its ‘Responsible Islands’ initiative, focused on the analysis and planning of strategies to manage demographic and tourism-related pressures while protecting the unique socio-environmental character of insular territories across Europe.
