Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the easternmost Canary Islands, lying closest to the African coast. Both islands attract expats with their dramatic volcanic landscapes, beautiful beaches, consistent sunshine, and a quieter pace of life compared to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. But living on these smaller islands comes with specific insurance considerations that you need to understand.
With more limited healthcare facilities, unique property risks, and fewer local insurance agents, getting the right cover in place is even more important here than on the larger islands.
This is the single most important insurance consideration for Lanzarote and Fuerteventura residents. Neither island has the hospital infrastructure of Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Lanzarote has one main public hospital — Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa in Arrecife — which covers general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and some specialist departments. However, for complex cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, oncology treatment, and other advanced procedures, patients are transferred to Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
Fuerteventura has the Hospital General de Fuerteventura in Puerto del Rosario. Facilities are more limited than Lanzarote, with fewer specialist departments. Transfer to Gran Canaria for serious cases is routine.
Private healthcare options on both islands are limited. There are private clinics — Hospiten has facilities on Lanzarote — but the range of specialists available locally is narrower than on the larger islands. This makes a private health insurance policy with strong inter-island transfer cover absolutely essential.
When choosing a health insurance policy, look specifically for:
If you are applying for a visa, the Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance requirements apply regardless of which island you live on — you need full private cover with no co-payments.
Both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have unique property risks that your home insurance needs to address.
Volcanic terrain: Lanzarote in particular has extensive lava fields, and some residential areas are built on or near volcanic terrain. While an eruption is unlikely, the volcanic substrate can affect foundations and drainage. Subsidence cover is important.
Wind and sand: Both islands are windier than Tenerife and Gran Canaria, particularly Fuerteventura, which is known as the wind capital of Europe. Sand and wind damage to external paintwork, shutters, and garden features is common. Check that storm and wind damage is included without restrictive exclusions.
Salt corrosion: Coastal properties on both islands suffer from salt spray corrosion, which damages metalwork, air conditioning units, and external fixtures. A good home insurance policy should cover weather-related deterioration, though normal wear and tear is always excluded.
Water damage: In older properties, particularly those with flat roofs (common on both islands), water ingress during the occasional heavy rainstorm is a frequent claim. Make sure your policy covers water damage without excessive exclusions for older properties.
Driving on these islands is generally easier than on Tenerife or Gran Canaria — the terrain is flatter and roads are less winding. However, there are specific considerations:
On the larger Canary Islands, you can sometimes manage with more basic insurance and rely on the extensive infrastructure around you. On Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, that safety net is thinner. We strongly recommend:
Working with a broker who understands the specific challenges of living on smaller Canary Islands ensures you do not end up with a policy designed for Madrid that leaves gaps in your cover.
Need insurance on Lanzarote or Fuerteventura? Contact us for a free quote — we specialise in expat insurance across all the Canary Islands.
See also: Insurance in Lanzarote | Insurance in Fuerteventura | Home Insurance in Spain | Health Insurance in the Canary Islands
