Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo is asking Ireland to support measures that could limit foreign purchases of second homes in the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands Government is using Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union to push for greater protection for local residents in the housing market.
President Fernando Clavijo raised the issue during a meeting in Dublin with John Cummis, Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.
Clavijo said negotiations on the EU’s Affordable Housing Act could provide a “window of opportunity” to introduce measures protecting residents’ access to housing.
Foreign buyers currently purchase 30% of homes in the Canary Islands, according to the regional government. Clavijo said most are used as second homes and argued that Brussels should allow restrictions on purchases by non-residents.
“The results of the meeting with the Dublin government are very encouraging,” he said.
“We leave feeling hopeful that the work we have been doing for some time to limit the purchase of housing by foreigners is beginning to bear fruit,” he added.
The president also outlined measures introduced by the Canary Islands Government to increase housing supply, including three decrees aimed at speeding up construction and improving access to public housing.
Concerns over EU funding
Clavijo also met Ireland’s Secretary of State for European Affairs and Defense, Thomas Byrne, to discuss the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework.
The Canary Islands Government is concerned about proposed changes to EU funding for the outermost regions, which could affect support for the islands from 2028 to 2034.
“It does not appear that an agreement will be easy to reach,” Clavijo said.
“We still have no information on the Spanish government’s position in these negotiations,” he added.
Clavijo called on Ireland to support continued funding for the Canary Islands, including the POSEI programme, which provides important support to the islands’ primary sector.
“We must take advantage of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU to ensure that the unique characteristics of the outermost regions are respected and to secure EU funding for our region,” he said.
Further cooperation with Ireland
The meetings also covered economic and scientific cooperation between Ireland and the Canary Islands.
Clavijo highlighted opportunities in areas including energy, the blue economy, innovation and business links with West Africa.
He said the Canary Islands could provide a base for Irish companies looking to expand into the region. Five Irish companies have already taken this route in recent years, according to Proexca.
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