Canary Islands (IC)
The Canary Islands are Spain's Atlantic autonomous community: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
Capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Region: Europe
Language: Spanish
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 52)
Emergency: 112
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands operate under Spanish law but with their own fiscal regime (IGIC, REF, ZEC) that is distinct from mainland Spain. Always verify any professional is familiar with Canary Islands-specific rules, not just mainland Spanish practice. The Colegio Profesional membership system provides consumer protection — check colegiado status before engaging.
Language options: English-speaking professionals are common in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Playa del Inglés (Gran Canaria) and tourist-heavy Tenerife South areas. German speakers are particularly prevalent given significant German expat communities. Always clarify the language of service before engagement.
Gestoría / Gestor Administrativo
Autónomo monthly accounting + quarterly IGIC filings: €40–80/month. Annual Renta: €60–150. Company setup (SL): €400–1,000 fee (plus notary + Registro Mercantil). How to find: Colegio de Gestores Administrativos (consejogestores.es) directory. Ask expat groups on Gran Canaria or Tenerife, your employer, or check Google reviews. Local Las Palmas and Santa Cruz firms are preferable for island-specific rules.
Consejo General de Colegios de Gestores AdministrativosColegios Territoriales Canarios
💡 The Canary Islands use IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario, standard rate 7%) instead of mainland Spain's IVA (21%). A gestor familiar with Canary Islands fiscal rules handles IGIC registrations, quarterly IGIC declarations and the REF (Régimen Económico y Fiscal) incentives that apply here.
Immigration Lawyer (Abogado especialista en Extranjería)
Initial consultation: €90–200. Full visa application (Digital Nomad / Non-Lucrative / Golden): €900–2,500 including all paperwork. Appeals / recursos: €500–1,500. How to find: Colegio de Abogados de Las Palmas (icali.es) or Colegio de Abogados de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (icatenerife.org) directories; filter by Derecho de Extranjería. Firms with English service operate in both islands.
Consejo General de la Abogacía Española (CGAE — cgae.es)Colegios de Abogados de Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
💡 Essential for denegaciones (visa denials), appeals, family reunion, citizenship by residence, and complex cases. Lawyers have standing to represent you in contentious-administrative proceedings; gestores do not. Confirm your lawyer is colegiado in the Canary Islands bar (not just mainland).
Asesor Fiscal (Tax Advisor)
€200–500 for annual Renta (expat with complex international income). €80–180/hour for consultations. €500–1,500 for Ley Beckham application. How to find: Consejo General de Economistas REAF; Asociación Española de Asesores Fiscales (AEDAF — aedaf.es). Canary Islands-based asesores understand REF and ZEC rules that mainland advisers often miss.
AEDAF — Asociación Española de Asesores Fiscales (aedaf.es)Consejo General de Economistas — REAF
💡 Critical differences from mainland Spain: IGIC (not IVA) is the indirect tax here; ZEC (Zona Especial Canaria) gives qualifying companies a 4% corporate tax rate (register by 31 December 2026); REF incentives include RIC (Reserva para Inversiones en Canarias) for business owners. Use an adviser with specific Canary Islands experience for these.
Notario (Notary)
Property purchase €300,000: €600–900 notary + €300–500 Registro de la Propiedad. Power of attorney (poder notarial): €60–120. Will (testamento abierto): €50–90. Company incorporation (SL): €200–400. How to find: Consejo General del Notariado (notariado.org). Notary fees are set by law nationally — not negotiable. Any licensed notary on the islands can handle property, wills and company matters.
Consejo General del Notariado (notariado.org)
💡 Notaries are required for property transactions, wills, powers of attorney and company formations. Their fees are nationally tariffed. Request the draft escritura for review before signing. You have the right to a sworn interpreter for all notarial acts.
Abogado Laboralista (Employment Lawyer)
Initial consultation: €80–180. Unfair dismissal (despido improcedente) claim: €800–3,000 depending on complexity. Conciliación SMAC: €300–1,000. How to find: Colegio de Abogados in Las Palmas or Santa Cruz de Tenerife; filter Derecho Laboral / Social. Trade unions CGT, CCOO and UGT provide legal services to members.
Asociación Nacional de Laboralistas (ASNALA)Colegios de Abogados Canarios
💡 Spanish labour law applies fully in the Canary Islands. Despido improcedente entitles you to 33 days per year of service (capped 24 months). Always attend conciliación at SMAC within 20 business days of dismissal. Trade union legal help is free for members.
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