The Canary Islands' Ministry of Tourism and Employment is working on new regulations aimed at addressing the needs of property owners who have established residential use in tourist apartments. Jéssica de León, the regional minister, emphasised in the autonomous parliament that this issue requires dialogue and collaboration between various administrations.
De León highlighted the importance of finding solutions that reflect the realities of these property owners, noting the crucial role of local councils, which are responsible for urban planning and understand the specific circumstances of each municipality. She argued that the updated regulations must take into account a situation that has persisted for decades in the tourist apartment complexes across the archipelago.
The new regulations will include measures designed to respond to property owners who have consolidated the residential use of their properties, allowing them to opt out of the tourist rental market. Additionally, the regulations will address other scenarios, such as holiday homes located on tourist land.
De León pointed out that recognising established residential use must consider municipal competencies and verify the suitability of each situation in relation to urban planning. During her address, she referenced a court ruling from 5 October 2026, which underscores the role of local councils in certifying these uses. "If we don't like the law, let's change it; that is our commitment," she asserted, advocating for the need to adapt regulations to respect the circumstances of current residents in these complexes.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a new law that will structure the tourism sector in the islands. This new legislation will unify the existing Law 7/1995, of 6 April, on the Organisation of Tourism in the Canary Islands, and Law 2/2013, of 29 May, on the Renewal and Modernisation of Tourism in the Canary Islands. It will address issues such as the renovation of accommodation establishments, sustainability, quality of offerings, and the regulation of land use in tourist areas, aiming to balance tourism activities with the quality of life for residents and maintain the competitiveness of the Canary Islands as a destination.
The drafting of the future regulations has involved a public consultation that began in July 2025, along with five working groups with the two public universities in the Canary Islands, which gathered a total of 705 contributions.
