How does the increase affect tenants?
The increase of 2,444 homes marks a turning point, but it is not enough to bring rents down. La Provincia writes this with reference to the Barómetro del Observatorio del Alquiler.
Estate agent Pablo Picasarri confirms the trend: “Hay hasta un 50% más de oferta en, por ejemplo, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,” he says. Prices, however, have stayed the same.
Every advertised home in the Canary Islands attracts an average of 110 potential tenants in just ten days, according to the barometer. That pressure explains why more supply has not yet led to cheaper rents.
Anyone looking for a home therefore finds more choice, but still faces strong competition. The sources do not mention a specific fall in rents or a simpler application process.
How is the holiday rental supply developing?
The holiday rental supply is shrinking noticeably. According to data from the Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC), 40,837 holiday rentals were still available in August 2026.
The holiday rental supply in the Canary Islands fell by 14 percent within one year, according to ISTAC.
Income from holiday rentals fell from 116.6 million euros to 107.1 million euros, according to La Provincia. The figures do not, however, allow the entire decline to be attributed to tighter regulation.
The official Canary Islands data portal has published monthly holiday rental data since 2019, broken down by island and municipality. Visitors will therefore find a smaller supply than in the previous year.
What rules apply to holiday rentals?
The change coincides with the new Canary Islands holiday rental regulation. Ley 6/2025, de Ordenación Sostenible del Uso Turístico de Viviendas has been in force since 13 December 2025.
The law replaces the former Decreto 113/2015. It is intended to bring the housing market back into balance.
Anyone who wants to continue operating certain holiday rentals for up to 20 years may have to offer comparable homes in the long-term rental market. If the replacement home is outside the town centre but in the same municipality, two homes may be required for each holiday rental.
The Ayuntamientos (municipal councils) decide where holiday letting is permitted. The Cabildos (island governments) process the registrations and enter the activity in the Registro General Turístico.
Do holiday rentals move directly into the rental market?
Not every holiday rental that disappears automatically becomes a long-term rental. Estate agent Pablo Picasarri explains that some of the losses are due to difficulties with the new administrative requirements.
He cites “desconocimiento, problemas de gestión o incumplimiento de plazos” as reasons. Other owners compare the income from both models or prefer to sell.
The sources do not give a figure for how many of the vanished holiday rentals actually moved into the long-term market. The breakdown of the 2,444 additional rental homes by island and municipality has also not been published.
La Provincia also reports uncertainty because of the so-called “decretos Maricarmen”. Some owners are waiting or selling their property instead of letting it again.
What obligations do holiday rental owners have?
Holiday rental owners face new requirements. Ley 6/2025 requires compensation through housing for long-term tenants in some cases of extended tourist use.
The replacement home must meet quality, size, location and technical requirements. The law does not provide a general state subsidy for owners.
Picasarri observes that some owners depend on the income from holiday letting. Others hesitate because of the political situation and the upcoming elections.
He reports on a couple who sold their flat after a tenancy ended instead of letting it again. The two had expressed concerns about the new political scenario.
What happens next in the Canary Islands housing market?
The barometer data comes from September and does not yet capture the latest announcements. According to La Provincia, this also applies to the Spanish government's plans for the “decretos Maricarmen”.
The Canary Islands data portal continues to publish the ISTAC data monthly and by island and municipality. The sources do not name a specific date for new measures.
For tenants, the situation remains tight: more supply, but still 110 interested tenants per home within ten days. Whether rents will fall is not promised in the available information.
The turning point is here, but the relief is not. That is the core message of the available figures.