The Spanish government has formally proposed that the European Union allow restrictions on the purchase of housing in the Canary Islands when properties are not intended for permanent residential use. The aim is to ease mounting pressure on the housing market and improve access to affordable homes, particularly for young people and vulnerable social groups.
A request addressed to Brussels
According to Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the proposal has been submitted to the European Commission as part of a broader package of measures. These measures are intended to be included in a future simplification of EU regulations governing the outermost regions (ORs).
Outermost regions include nine territories belonging to Spain, France and Portugal, which, due to their geographical isolation, economic structure and insularity, benefit from special treatment under EU treaties.
Housing pressure in the Canary Islands
The initiative reflects growing concern over the housing situation in the Canary Islands, where rising property prices, the expansion of tourist accommodation and investment-driven purchases have made it increasingly difficult for local residents to access housing.
Speaking on the issue, Spain’s Minister for Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, confirmed that the proposal seeks to provide legal backing at EU level for measures that would allow regional authorities to curb speculative or non-residential purchases.
A parallel request from the Canary Islands Government
In parallel, the Canary Islands Government has also approached the European Commission directly, asking for specific exemptions for outermost regions in housing policy. Its objective is to contain further price increases, though its approach differs slightly from that of the central government.
Rather than focusing solely on the intended use of properties, the regional executive has explored the possibility of restricting or prohibiting the purchase of homes by non-resident foreign buyers. This reflects concerns that external demand—particularly from buyers who do not live on the islands—has contributed significantly to price inflation and reduced availability for residents.
Balancing EU law and local realities
Any such restrictions would require careful alignment with EU principles, particularly the free movement of capital. For this reason, Spain is seeking explicit authorisation from Brussels, arguing that the exceptional circumstances of the outermost regions justify targeted housing measures that would not apply elsewhere in the EU.
If approved, the proposal could mark a significant shift in how housing markets in the Canary Islands are regulated, giving authorities greater tools to prioritise residential use and protect local communities from the social impact of sustained market pressure.
While discussions with the European Commission are still at an early stage, both the Spanish government and the Canary Islands authorities have signalled that housing access has become a strategic priority, requiring solutions that go beyond national borders.
