01Who settles in the province of Las Palmas
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has become home to an international community of professionals working remotely for employers or clients outside Spain. In the south of Gran Canaria, in Lanzarote and in Fuerteventura, most foreign residents live on their own income: British, German, Nordic and Italian retirees, and families who spend most of the year on the islands.
That is why the most common routes are the international remote work permit, non-lucrative residence, the family member card for partners of EU or Spanish citizens and, after five years, long-term residence.
02How we handle a Gran Canaria case online
Our service is online across Spain. As registered Spanish lawyers we file your application through the electronic portal, so you do not need an appointment at Plaza de la Concordia or at the Arrecife or Puerto del Rosario units to submit it. Notifications are also delivered electronically.
You only need to travel when it is unavoidable, which in practice means the TIE fingerprint appointment. For any other one-off in-person step we work with a network of local partners.
- First meeting by video call, in English or Spanish.
- Choosing the route that best fits your situation.
- Document checklist, sworn translations and apostilles.
- Electronic filing with the Las Palmas Immigration Office or the UGE.
- Guidance for the fingerprint appointment and collecting your TIE.
03Working remotely from Las Palmas
If you work for a foreign employer or invoice clients outside Spain, the international remote work permit lets you live on the island and keep that work. It is handled electronically by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, and can be applied for from within Spain if your stay is lawful, or as a visa at the Spanish consulate in your country.
We review your contract or client work, how long you have worked with the company, your qualifications or experience and your health insurance. If your partner and children are coming with you, we prepare their applications at the same time.
04Non-lucrative residence in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
To live on the islands without working in Spain, the route is non-lucrative residence. The first permit is applied for as a visa at the Spanish consulate where you live; renewals are later filed with the Las Palmas Immigration Office or the unit on your island.
We review the required financial means, health insurance with no co-payments and your housing, and remind you in good time when to renew so that your residence stays continuous.
05British nationals on the eastern islands
British nationals who were already resident in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura before 1 January 2021 hold a Withdrawal Agreement TIE. Renewals, replacements and changes of address are dealt with by the National Police. If you were living on the islands then but never registered, we review what evidence you have kept.
Those who arrived later need an ordinary permit, usually non-lucrative residence or the remote work permit. The British Consulate on Calle Luis Morote sees British nationals from all three islands by appointment.
06Living in the Canary Islands: healthcare, couples and tax regime
Public healthcare is provided by the Canary Islands Health Service (Servicio Canario de la Salud). Access depends on your situation: paying Spanish social security, being a pensioner with a recognised entitlement or, for non-lucrative residence, holding private insurance.
If you are not married, the Canary Islands Register of Unmarried Couples helps evidence the relationship for the family member card. Both partners must live in the Canary Islands and show twelve months of cohabitation, proven with a joint historical census certificate.
The Canary Islands also have their own Economic and Tax Regime, with an indirect tax that replaces VAT. It is not an immigration matter, but it is worth reviewing with your tax adviser before you move.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to Plaza de la Concordia to submit my application?
No. As your representatives we file through the electronic portal. An in-person appointment is only needed if you go yourself. You will still need to attend the police for your TIE fingerprints.
I live in Lanzarote or Fuerteventura. Can you handle my case?
Yes. Both islands have their own immigration unit, in Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario, and electronic filing works the same way. You will not need to travel to Gran Canaria for the application.
I work remotely for a UK company. Can I live in Las Palmas?
Usually yes, with the international remote work permit, provided you meet the requirements on length of employment, qualifications or experience and financial means. We file it with the Large Companies Unit.
I am British, have lived in Fuerteventura since 2019 and never got my TIE. What should I do?
We review what evidence you have of residence before 2021, such as census registration, a tenancy agreement or bills. Depending on what you have kept, we assess a Withdrawal Agreement TIE application or an alternative route.
My partner is Italian and we are not married. Can I live with them in Gran Canaria?
You can apply for the EU family member card as a partner. Registering with the Canary Islands Register of Unmarried Couples helps evidence the relationship.
Do I need a lawyer based in Gran Canaria?
No. A registered Spanish lawyer can act anywhere in Spain and the process is electronic. We work online, by video call; for one-off in-person steps we work with local partners.