Tenerife isn’t just a place to visit. For many people, living in Tenerife is where they come to live out their dream, whether that’s full-time, part-time, or just as often as the rules allow.
But before you buy a property here, it’s worth understanding what daily life is really like. Because while the sun, sea, and sangría are very real… so are things like healthcare paperwork, local schools, and of course the dreaded visa rules if you’re from outside the EU.
I’ve lived here since 2009, and I work with buyers from all over the world who are thinking of making the move , so this article brings together the real questions people ask before committing to life on the island.
If you’re thinking of buying a property here to live in, either now or in the future, this one’s for you.
The Weather: It’s Not All Scorching Sun — And That’s a Good Thing
Let’s start with the big one. Yes, the weather really is fantastic, especially if you’re used to grey skies and damp winters. But Tenerife is a volcanic island with mountains and microclimates, so the weather can vary quite a lot depending on where you are.
- South Tenerife (e.g. Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje): Dry, sunny, and warm most of the year perfect if you like outdoor living and want to avoid too much rain.
- North Tenerife (e.g. Puerto de la Cruz): Greener, cooler, and gets more rain, lush landscapes and more traditional Canarian culture.
- Mid-altitude areas (e.g. Chayofa, La Orotava): A bit of both…often cooler in summer and less humid.
You’ll want to consider this when choosing where to live.
Fancy a view and cooler nights? Head inland.
Want to be near the beach and bars? Stick to the coast.
Healthcare: Surprisingly Good (And Not Just for EU Residents Living in Tenerife)
Tenerife is part of Spain, so the Spanish healthcare system applies and it’s generally excellent, I’ve had first hand experience.
For residents living in Tenerife, access to Spanish public healthcare is free or very affordable, and many expats also take out private health insurance for extra peace of mind and shorter waiting times.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- EU nationals: Can access public healthcare once registered as residents and contributing to social security.
- Non-EU nationals (e.g. British buyers): Will need private health insurance for residency or rely on travel insurance if here short-term.
- EHIC/GHIC cards: These still work for temporary stays from the UK (though it’s not a long-term solution).
If you’re planning on living here full time, sorting out health cover should be one of your first steps especially if you’re applying for residency.
Transport: You Don’t Need a Car When Living In Tenerife… But It Helps
The public transport system in Tenerife is actually better than you might expect…I don’t have a lot of experience in this though, but I’ve been told by man, many visitors.
The island runs a modern, reliable network of buses (locally called guaguas) and there are also trams in Santa Cruz, the capital city.
In the south, you can get around fairly easily without a car, especially if you’re in town centres like Los Cristianos or Las Américas.
That said:
- If you want to explore the island or live inland, a car makes life easier
- Fuel prices are currently lower than mainland Spain, wait until they find out though…lol
- Driving in Tenerife is fairly straightforward, though the mountain roads take a bit of getting used to
If you’re going to be living in Tenerife in a rural or hillside property, I’d definitely recommend having your own transport.
Schools: Decent Options, But Do Your Research
If you’re relocating with kids, Tenerife offers both public and private schooling options.
- Public schools (OK you Brits – Public means not private…I know!) teach in Spanish (Castellano) and are free. Great for integration, but there may be a language adjustment period.
- Concertados are part-public, part-private schools — usually lower fees and often more flexible.
- Private/international schools offer bilingual or British curriculums. These are popular with expats and include places like Wingate, British School of Tenerife, and Luther King.
You’ll want to choose your area carefully if schooling is a priority, some international schools are a bit of a drive from more rural areas and traffic conditions can be a factor when dropping of and collecting the kids.
Visa Rules and the 90/180 Day Rule (For Non-EU Buyers)
If you’re from outside the EU, including the UK, then you’ll need to be aware of the 90/180 day rule.
Here’s the gist:
- You can stay in the Schengen area (This is all EU countries and a couple of Scandinavian countries) for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
- This means you can’t just buy a property and live here year-round unless you apply for residency or another type of visa.
Your main options include:
- Non-lucrative visa: For retirees or people with sufficient passive income
- Golden visa: If you invest over €500,000 in Spanish property – although as of April 2025, this has now been stopped.
- Digital nomad visa: Newer option for remote workers
If you’re planning to live here more than a few months a year, it’s worth speaking to a specialist lawyer to explore your options, we can introduce you to trusted legal professionals who handle this every day.
Local Services & Day-to-Day Living In Tenerife
It’s not all about beaches and paperwork — day-to-day life here is (mostly) a pleasure. Tenerife has all the modern conveniences you’d expect, but also keeps a laid-back island vibe that’s easy to fall in love with.
Here’s a quick-fire overview:
- Shopping: Big supermarkets (Mercadona, Lidl, Hiperdino), small corner shops, and loads of fresh produce markets
- Banks: Local and international options, opening an account as a non-resident is doable, but depending upon the bank, can be paperwork-heavy
- Phone/internet: Fast fibre available in most towns
- Fitness & lifestyle: Gyms, yoga, surfing, golf, hiking, plenty to keep you active all year round
- Local bureaucracy: Not always fast, but things get done eventually (patience helps!)
So… Is Living in Tenerife Right for You?
Living in Tenerife can be a fantastic lifestyle move, but it’s not for everyone, here are 6 tips that long term residents would give a newcomer.
If you’re happy to embrace a slightly slower pace of life, enjoy sunshine most days, and don’t mind a bit of paperwork along the way, you’ll likely settle in just fine.
The key is understanding what day-to-day life is really like, and making sure you choose the right location, budget, and legal path for your situation…and it helps if you can learn some Spanish, that’ll get you another couple of bonus points along the way.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re still in the early stages or already narrowing down your property options to find out what the Spanish way of life is, we’re here to help.
At Tenerife Property Group, we’ve helped dozens of people not just buy property, but build a life here.
Feel free to get in touch with any questions or check out our other guides below:
