Once seen primarily as a holiday destination, Spain’s largest Canary Island is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Lithuanians looking for more than just a vacation. A growing number are settling down or investing in property here, forming communities in the island’s picturesque southern towns.
“Tenerife has four seasons at the same time,” says Vida Cechanavičienė, a real estate expert and head of the agency Namai Tenerifėje (“Homes in Tenerife”). “For example, in December it could be snowing in Teide, but you go to the ocean and it’s summer, you can swim. We go to another part of the island and it rains. Go to another place and it’s spring.”
According to Cechanavičienė, over 1,000 Lithuanians are now living on the island, many of them in the popular coastal towns of Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago, where a Lithuanian school and library have taken root. “There’s a strong community here,” she says.
While affordability is still a factor – prices for modest apartments can start around €100,000 – Lithuanians are increasingly drawn to the lifestyle. A property with an ocean view in a desirable location can cost between €200,000 and €250,000, but many see this as a worthwhile investment for either rental income or future retirement.
Cechanavičienė notes that the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine accelerated the trend. “When the war started, I remember, they were buying everything,” she says. “Properties close to the ocean, in the south, were sold almost immediately. Then things calmed down, but prices never went back down.”
Though Tenerife has long been a favourite among Germans and Brits, Lithuanians are beginning to leave their mark. The island’s year-round spring-like climate is a strong draw, but so is the sense of safety and the welcoming attitude of locals.
“When we walk around, we’re treated like neighbours, not tourists,” Cechanavičienė says. She recalls how one New Year’s Eve, she and her friends forgot to bring grapes – a local tradition – and people around them immediately shared theirs.
Still, buyers face challenges. Short-term rentals, a popular way to earn passive income, require special licenses. Some residential communities ban such rentals entirely. And while the threat of “okupas” – people who occupy vacant homes – is often discussed in Spanish media, Cechanavičienė believes the risk is low, especially after recent changes in eviction laws.
“In a property next to our house, there was a British squatter who had lived there for five years,” she recalls. “He has been evicted now, but when we just bought the house, we kept seeing him.”
While some Lithuanians purchase homes purely for personal use, others are focused on returns. Winter months bring the highest tourist traffic, with one-bedroom apartments renting for up to €100 per night. In summer, that figure drops, but many Spaniards from the mainland arrive to enjoy Tenerife’s cooler coastal climate.
Despite the relative affordability compared to other parts of Europe, prospective buyers should factor in additional costs: around 8.5% to 10% of the purchase price goes toward legal fees, taxes, and notary services. Maintenance costs, including community fees, electricity, and water, are considered low – one of the many reasons the island appeals to foreign residents.
Cechanavičienė urges buyers to visit in person and avoid relying solely on online listings. Sometimes people fall in love with a view or a price, but they don’t think about things like noise levels or rental potential, she says.
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