Buying in Tenerife: what overseas buyers should know
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and a year-round destination thanks to its mild winter climate. It suits holiday-home owners, retirees and remote workers, as well as investors drawn to steady rental demand across the seasons. Property ranges from apartments and townhouses in the resorts to villas with sea views and homes in the greener north.
What buyers are looking for in Tenerife
The sunnier south, around Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, is the focus for resort apartments, townhouses and villas aimed at holiday and rental use, while the north around La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz is greener and more traditional. Buyers weigh modern coastal developments against established homes with more character inland. Both resale and new-build property are available across the island.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK citizens can own freely in Spain. You can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, with non-lucrative or digital nomad visas for longer stays; the Golden Visa route has now closed. You will need an NIE and a local lawyer, and completion takes place before a notary. Budget for a transfer tax on resale homes or VAT on new-build, plus the annual local property tax (IBI), and note that Spanish banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit. This is a brief summary, so take current local advice. Start your search to see property for sale in Tenerife, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Tenerife
The southern coast, taking in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, is where most overseas buyers look, with resort apartments, townhouses on managed complexes and villas close to the beaches and golf. The north, around Puerto de la Cruz and the hillsides above it, is greener and suits buyers who want traditional towns and cooler air. Coastal homes work well for holiday use and rental, while inland and northern properties appeal to those planning a permanent move. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
