Relocating to the island of Gran Canaria is not any more difficult to move to than other places in Europe as long as you do not attempt to drive over. However, the more information that you have about Gran Canaria before moving there, the easier things will be for you. In this guide, we will be providing you with everything you need to know to relocate to Gran Canaria successfully.
Things to take with you and things you should leave behind
Gran Canaria has an Ikea along with many other stores, so it isn’t really necessary to bring much beyond your personal items and a big bag of Monster Munch crisps for us to enjoy.
During the first six months that you are on the island, be aware that your possessions can be imported to the island tax-free. After that, there will be import duties that need to be paid.
Taking a car from outside of Spain to Gran Canaria is difficult and is only worth doing if your car is either a vintage vehicle that you cannot leave behind or your car is worth over €7000. Getting legal, taxes, and import duties will cost more than €1000. However, you will be given six months to get everything done. For most people, it is best to sell their old car at home and then purchase a new one in Gran Canaria.
Learning Spanish in Gran Canaria
Simply put, while in Gran Canaria, you can learn whatever Spanish you need to use every day. You will be able to pick the language up if you work and live with the locals. However, if you work in an environment where English is spoken and hang out on the weekends in expat bars, you won’t learn a lot of the language.
How To Choose The Best Place To Live While In Gran Canaria
Each part of the island has its very own weather and feel, so this is an important decision.
This city is the capital of Spain and a very busy place. It is also one of the ten largest cities in Spain featuring a beautiful old town and a world-class beach. Compared to the rest of the island, Las Palmas is cloudier but still receives plenty of sunshine. A majority of foreign residents like being near the beach. However, if that is not your thing, Triana and old town are also great. The main property areas in Las Palmas can be found in this guide. If you like Spain’s hustle and bust and city life, then Las Palmas is an excellent option for you. There are numerous English teaching jobs (get a CELTA or TEFL qualification). If you speak Spanish there are other jobs available.
The resort areas of Gran Canaria have lots of foreign residents. If you would like to live in a place where you feel as if you are on holiday all year long, then these are the best places for you. But if you would prefer immersing yourself in the local life instead, then you would be better off anyplace else.
There is incredible weather at the resorts, with blue skies for more than 300 days per year. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants, along with a population that completely changes every two weeks. In Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico you can actually get by without speaking any Spanish, and many expats do. However, southern villages such as Pueblo de Morgan and Fataga as well as satellite towns such as Tablero and San Fernando are a lot more local.
Generally speaking, Puerto Rico is popular with Scandinavians and Brits, Arguineguín with Norwegians, Arguineguín with Norwegians, Maspalomas with Germans, Playa del Inglés with Germans and Brits, San Agustin with Swedes, and Puerto de Mogan with everybody (although it is hard to find a place to live since everything tends to be rented out).
The resorts in Gran Canaria are the easiest places to find work for those who do not speak Spanish (timeshares, reps, PR work, bars, etc.). However, the pay is not high, with most locals earning about €1000 per month.
It is heaven if you would like your retirement to feel like a tiki dream that never stops.
This is Gran Canaria’s greenest area with many villages and towns featuring large supermarkets and local shops. Most places are located within a 45-minute drive to the beaches to the south and 30 minutes to the capital city. When it comes to working, you can pick bananas or teach English.
Vecindario and Telde are small cities or large towns now that feature a local feeling combined with a strong South American influence. Compared to the capital and resorts, property prices are less expensive. However, there are still plenty of services and shops nearby. Major drawbacks of east Gran Canaria are its windy beaches and searing inland temperatures during the summer. East Canaria has teaching work available as well as jobs within the local economy, but you will need to speak decent Spanish for these positions.
From Moya’s green pastures to the breathtaking Agaete Valley, if you love peace and quiet, rural Gran Canaria is your dream come true (except during the hunting season on Thursdays and Sundays). You can live in housing ranging from large townhouses to stone cottages and many properties come with a pigpen and orchards.
There is not a lot of work available so be prepared to either commute or work from home.
How to find a good place to live in Gran Canaria
During their first year, a majority of people who relocate to Gran Canaria decide to rent. That is a good idea since it gives you the chance to sure you have chosen the right place to live and enjoy the lifestyle and want to stay there.
Renting a property
You can search for Gran Canaria rental properties on websites such as Idealista, Fotocasa, and Vibbo. Just be aware that a majority of the properties listed on these websites are posted by agencies that charge a month’s worth of rent as a commission. When a rental contract is signed, you will have to pay the agency fee, a month’s rent for the deposit, and the first month’s rent, so a total of three months’ rent.
To avoid having to pay the agency commission, you can search on websites for private rentals and by walking around searching for private signs (bars, small local shops, windows).
A majority of owners require a one-year contract. However, the law allows you to leave after six months as long as you give the proper notice. you can find more information on the rental laws in Gran Canaria here.
Never estimate how beneficial it can be to rent a flat that has a parking space at the resorts, town centres, and Las Palmas. In Gran Canaria, tenants are not required to pay things like council tax. Bills are included in some contracts but not all.
Purchasing a property in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria property prices average about €1300 per square metre. However, the location has a major impact on what the price will be. The main resort and Las Palmas beachfront properties can cost €5000 or more per square metre. By contrast, in smaller towns, the prices are often less than €1000 per metre.
Gran Canaria property rights are organised well and each property within the property registry has an up-to-date file.
Before purchasing a south Gran Canaria resort property as a resident it is essential to get professional advice. Technically it is illegal to live in some of south Gran Canaria’s resort areas, so it is important to know what the facts are before you buy anything.
Finding work in Gran Canaria
There are many expats and foreign residents who relocate to Gran Canaria looking for work. Tourism eps, port and oil workers, teachers, etc. They are the fortunate ones since it can be difficult for a foreign resident to land a job in Gan Canaria. Without being able to speak decent Spanish, it can be very hard to find jobs outside of the resorts. Even at the resorts, a tourism degree is required by most hotels including for entry-level positions.
Some niches like teaching English (obtain a CELTA or TEFL qualification), PR and bar work at the resorts (the maximum you can expect to earn is €1000 per month), selling timeshares (yes, people still by them) where you can always find work. However, Gran Canaria is not a very big place so there are not a lot of big companies with high numbers of employees. There is also a high unemployment level on the island so you have to compete with many locals for the available jobs.
The demand for English-speaking mechanics, chiropodists, plasterers, handymen, plumbers, etc. is limited. However, those with unique skills that are go-getters can earn a living in Gran Canaria.
In Spain, it costs over €250 a month to be self-employed (for the first year you receive a discount). Ridiculous but unfortunately it cannot be avoided.
Education and schools in Gran Canaria
There is a complete range of schools in Gran Canaria from fee-paying international schools to local state schools. A majority of the fee-paying schools are located around the capital of Las Palmas and the north part of the island. A few have junior feeder schools located in the south. About 600 euros is charged per month by the leading private schools.
Spain’s state education system is slightly behind the times still and is focused on learning figures and facts instead of creativity. it is slowly changing. However, each school is different. That is why it is essential to do your own research. There is also the Colegio concertato, which is a halfway house in between fee-paying schools and state schools. Foundations run these schools (many operated by the Catholic Church), receive some state funding, and for any shortfall depend on support from parents.
Students in Spain’s state system must furnish all of their own supplies such as rulers, pens, and paper. Several hundred euros must also be spent every year on schoolbooks (one of the major historic ripoffs in Spain).
Also, keep in mind that there are defined application periods within the state system. If they are missed, it is much more difficult to get your children into your preferred school.
Healthcare in Gran Canaria
If you get sick or are in an accident, Gran Canaria has a pretty good local healthcare system. Spain’s state healthcare system, in fact, is frequently named among the best in the world.
You must register with Seguridad Social, the local health system, in order to use the free service. You will receive a card and number and can book appointments online or over the phone (by calling 012).
However, when it comes to non-urgent or chronic health issues, the health service in Gran Canaria is not as efficient. For tests, the waiting lists can be several months long. There are many locals who avoid the queue by booking appointments with specialists and paying for tests. The same doctor is seen in the same room, but the queues can be skipped.
Of course, the alternative is to pay instead for private healthcare so you don’t have to worry about queues.
Live happily ever after
The main secret to relocating to Gran Canaria and then living happily ever after is approaching your life as an adventure on the island. Go out and meet both foreign and local people, and be sure to explore the island thoroughly. it is a large place in a small area!
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