Tenerife is the largest and most populated of the Canary Islands, and it is home to one of the biggest expat communities in Spain. Tens of thousands of British, German, Scandinavian, and Irish residents have made the island their permanent home — drawn by year-round sunshine, a relaxed pace of life, and a cost of living that remains lower than mainland Spain.
But living in Tenerife comes with specific insurance needs that differ from the Spanish mainland. From health cover that accounts for island-based hospital capacity, to car insurance adapted to volcanic terrain and steep mountain roads, getting the right policies in place is essential for a stress-free life on the island.
Tenerife has two main public hospitals — Hospital Universitario de Canarias in La Laguna and Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Santa Cruz. While the standard of public healthcare is generally good, waiting times for specialist referrals and elective procedures can be long. Many expats opt for private health insurance to access faster treatment, English-speaking doctors, and a wider choice of clinics.
If you are applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa or a Digital Nomad Visa, private health insurance with no co-payments is mandatory. We work with insurers who understand the requirements of the Spanish consulates and can issue compliant policies quickly.
The south of Tenerife — Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje — has a large concentration of expat-focused private clinics. In the north, Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz also have good private healthcare options, though with fewer English-speaking practitioners.
Driving in Tenerife presents unique challenges. The island has steep mountain roads, sharp volcanic rock on road edges, and frequent fog in the Anaga mountains. The TF-1 and TF-5 motorways are generally well-maintained, but rural roads in the interior can be narrow and poorly lit.
We recommend fully comprehensive car insurance for most Tenerife residents, particularly if you regularly drive outside the main tourist areas. Roadside assistance is especially important on the island — a breakdown on a remote mountain road can leave you stranded for hours without it.
If you have brought a UK-registered car to Tenerife, you will need specialist cover. Most mainstream Spanish insurers will not insure foreign-plated vehicles, so working with a broker who understands this niche is essential.
Property insurance in Tenerife should account for specific island risks. While earthquakes are rare, the volcanic nature of the Canary Islands means seismic activity is not impossible — the eruption on La Palma in 2021 was a reminder. Storm damage, water ingress, and subsidence are more common concerns, particularly for older properties in the south.
If you own an apartment in a community of owners (comunidad de propietarios), the building insurance is usually arranged collectively. However, you still need your own contents insurance and civil liability cover. If you rent out your property on platforms like Airbnb, you will need specific short-term rental insurance — standard home policies exclude commercial use.
If you have a Spanish mortgage, your bank will almost certainly try to sell you their own life insurance policy. You are not obliged to accept it. We compare life insurance and mortgage protection policies from multiple providers, often saving clients 40–60% compared to the bank-offered product. Spanish law protects your right to choose your own insurer for mortgage-linked life cover.
The Canary Islands have different tax rules to mainland Spain — they use IGIC instead of IVA, and some insurance products are structured differently as a result. Working with a broker who understands the Canary Islands market ensures you get policies that are correctly structured and competitively priced.
At Insurance Spain, we have helped thousands of expats across Tenerife arrange their health, car, home, and life insurance. We handle everything in English, compare quotes from leading Spanish insurers, and provide ongoing support when you need to make a claim.
Ready to get insured in Tenerife? Visit our Tenerife insurance page for full details, or contact us for a free quote.
See also: Car Insurance in Spain | Private Health Insurance | Insurance in Gran Canaria
