Buying property in Los Cristianos: a guide for foreigners
Published 9 August 2026
More than a third of home purchases in Tenerife are made by someone who doesn't live in Spain. Los Cristianos, with its mix of beach, working harbour and established residential complexes, is one of the areas where that comes up most. Here's what you need to sort out before signing, in order.
1. The NIE number, the first mandatory step
The Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE) is essential for buying property in Spain, opening a bank account or paying taxes. You apply for it at a National Police station or at the Spanish consulate in your home country, and in Tenerife the appointment waiting list can run several weeks — it's the step most worth starting early. A common alternative is to grant power of attorney to a lawyer or gestor in Tenerife to handle it on your behalf if you can't travel ahead of time.
2. Bank account and transferring funds
You'll need an account with a Spanish bank to set up direct debits for utilities, local property tax (IBI) and, in most cases, to receive the transfer you'll pay with. If the money is coming from outside Spain, ask your home bank for a certificate of source of funds — the Spanish bank will ask for it anyway under anti-money-laundering rules, and having it ready avoids last-minute delays before completion.
3. What you'll pay on top of the price
The Canary Islands don't apply mainland Spain's IVA (VAT) to resale property — instead you pay IGIC (the Canary Islands' own indirect tax), together with AJD (stamp duty) where it applies, plus notary, land registry and gestoría fees. As a rule of thumb, budget an extra 8–10% on top of the purchase price for these items. We go into more detail, with a worked example, in our guide to taxes and costs when buying in Tenerife.
4. Why Los Cristianos specifically
Los Cristianos holds a large share of south Tenerife's residential and holiday-let housing stock, in complexes such as Parque Santiago III, San George or San Marino. Unlike more spread-out areas, here you'll find schools, health centres, supermarkets and public transport within easy reach of the beach — something particularly valued by buyers considering living there year-round, not just as a second home.
5. Signing before a notary, remotely if needed
If you can't travel for completion, you can grant power of attorney — in your home country, before a local notary, or at a Spanish consulate — so someone you trust, usually your lawyer, can sign on your behalf. The notary in Spain is neutral and doesn't represent either party; if you have questions about contract clauses, it's worth having your own lawyer review the deposit contract and the deed before signing.
6. Common mistakes we've seen
- Signing a deposit contract without first checking the property's charges at the Land Registry.
- Not checking the energy performance certificate — it's a legal requirement and its absence can delay completion.
- Underestimating the 8–10% in additional costs when working out the total budget.
- Starting the NIE application too late relative to the planned completion date.
How we support you at Tenedomus
We accompany the whole process in English, Spanish, Italian or French — from the first viewing through to signing before a notary, remotely too if you're buying from outside Spain. If you're considering Los Cristianos, you can browse homes for sale in Los Cristianos right now, or write to us directly with your questions.
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