One of the perks of living in the Canary Islands is the significant discount on travel to mainland Spain and between islands — often up to 75% off flights and ferries. But who qualifies, and what’s changed post-Brexit?

Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you understand if you’re eligible and how to claim it.

Canary Islands residents can save up to 75% on travel to mainland Spain and between islands — but post-Brexit Brits may have to wait five years before they’re eligible.

What is the Canary Islands Travel Discount?

The residency travel discount (descuento de residente) is a government subsidy that applies to residents of Spain’s outer territories — the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.

If you qualify, you can receive:

• The discount is automatically applied when booking with your Spanish DNI or NIE, once your residency is verified.
• 75% off air and ferry tickets to and from mainland Spain (not to the Balearics, Ceuta or Melilla).
• 75% off inter-island travel within the Canaries.

Who Qualifies for the Travel Discount?

To qualify, you must meet two key requirements:

1. Be a Registered Resident in the Canary Islands

You must be officially registered (empadronado) in a Canary Island municipality. This involves:

• Registering your address at your local town hall.
• Keeping your Certificado de Empadronamiento up to date.

2. Hold Legal Residency in Spain

You need to have a valid residence permit or certificate of registration. The exact type depends on your nationality:

• Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals): Must have a valid TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero).
• EU citizens: Must have a green EU residency certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE).

Post-Brexit Rules for UK Citizens

This is where things get tricky. Since the UK is no longer in the EU, British nationals are now third-country nationals. Here’s what that means:

British nationals who arrived before Brexit (31 Dec 2020):

• If they registered under the Withdrawal Agreement and have a TIE card marked “Article 50”, they retain the right to the travel discount.

British nationals who arrived after Brexit:

• You must live legally in Spain for 5 uninterrupted years to qualify for permanent residency (residencia de larga duración).
• Only after obtaining permanent residency can you claim the travel discount.

Exception – Family of EU Citizens:

If you’re the spouse, registered partner, or dependent of an EU citizen living in Spain, you may qualify for residency rights as a family member of an EU citizen — and thus become eligible immediately upon approval.

How Is Eligibility Verified?

Eligibility is confirmed through a system called SARA (Sistema de Acreditación de Residencia Automática). When booking your flight or ferry:

1. Enter your NIE or DNI.
2. The system checks your residency status with your local padrón.
3. If verified, the discount is automatically applied.
4. If the system can’t verify your status, you may need to present a valid certificate of residency (Certificado de Residencia para Viajar), available from your town hall.

How to Apply for the Certificate of Travel (if needed)

If SARA cannot verify your residency, visit your local ayuntamiento (town hall) and ask for a:

• “Certificado de Residencia para Viajar”
  (It’s free or costs a small administrative fee and is usually valid for 6 months.)

You’ll need:

• Passport or TIE/NIE
• Up-to-date padrón certificate

Some municipalities allow you to download your certificate of travel online. For example, Los Realejos in Tenerife has a quick system where you simply input your NIE number, and your certificate is immediately downloaded.

Don’t forget: Most travel certificates have a validity of six months. You will need to re-download your certificate or visit your ayuntamiento every six months to keep it active.

Quick Summary

Requirement	EU Citizens	UK Citizens (Pre-Brexit)	Non-EU and UK Citizens (Post-Brexit)
Must be on the padrón	✅	✅	✅
Must have legal residency	✅ Green EU certificate	✅ TIE (Article 50)	✅ TIE (after 5 years)
Travel discount starts immediately	✅	✅	❌ (Wait 5 years unless family of EU citizen)

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