What does moving to La Gomera mean in everyday life?
La Gomera is better suited to people looking for nature, peace and a small community than to a classic move built around a large labour market. The island has around 20,000 inhabitants spread over roughly 370 to 378 square kilometres, and is far less densely populated than Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
The official tourism website describes the climate as mild all year round and gives an average temperature of 22 °C. For a reliable climate picture with monthly values, rainy days, sunshine hours and sea temperatures, only the AEMET climatology should be used.
The trade winds particularly affect the wetter northern and inland areas as well as the Garajonay laurel forest. Conditions can change markedly over short distances between the southern, northern and mountain regions; the official environment brochure cites differences of more than 10 °C.
Anyone moving to the island should first rent for two to six months and compare several municipalities. Long-term rental, house sitting or a local flatshare are regarded as lower-risk trial options.
Where can you live on La Gomera?
La Gomera comprises several municipalities with very different settlement patterns and climate zones. San Sebastián de La Gomera is the island capital and the ferry port; Hermigua lies in the north-eastern valley and is the gateway to the El Cedro area.
Vallehermoso lies in the north and west, while Valle Gran Rey is a south-western coastal and residential area. Alajeró includes Playa Santiago and the airport area.
San Sebastián is the administrative and service centre. Valle Gran Rey is more international and more oriented towards visitors. Hermigua, Agulo, Vallehermoso and Alajeró are quieter but more limited in terms of infrastructure.
Reliable, island-wide representative annual figures for rents, food and purchase prices cannot be derived from the available official sources. For a realistic cost plan, rent or purchase, ferries, flights, car, fuel, internet, private health insurance and possible trips to Tenerife should be calculated separately.
What role does the VISOCAN housing programme play?
VISOCAN and the Cabildo de La Gomera are working on around 200 publicly rented homes. A base budget of 310,728 euros was put out to tender for repairs to 19 homes and four plots.
However, no general rent level can be derived from this.
For relocation advice, the applicable Spanish and Canarian rules on NIE, registration, residencia, Seguridad Social, healthcare, tax obligations, tenancy agreements, deposits and work permits must also be checked directly with the responsible authorities.
Spanish immigration rules apply as they do on the rest of the Canary Islands. For permanent residence, EU citizens need in particular to register as residents, while non-EU citizens need an appropriate residence right.
How do you find work on La Gomera?
The available sources confirm a Canarian employment office in San Sebastián: Oficina de Empleo de San Sebastián de La Gomera, Avenida V Centenario, s/n, Edificio San Borondón, 38800 San Sebastián de La Gomera.
Compared with Tenerife and Gran Canaria, La Gomera has fewer jobs, international services, clinics, schools and direct connections. Development has remained small-scale because of the steep ravines, the remote location and limited land.
Traditional farming, villages and walking routes shape the island more than large-scale tourism. Remote work should only be planned after checking fibre broadband, mobile coverage and power cuts.
Specialist medical care should be planned for on Tenerife; ferries and flights are part of realistic life planning.
How do you get to La Gomera and around the island?
La Gomera has an airport that only serves connections between the Canary Islands. Anyone arriving from Europe usually has to change in Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Alternatively, there are ferry connections from Tenerife. Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària give a crossing time of no more than about 60 minutes.
The island can be explored via the road network, public buses and hire cars. For practical relocation planning, connections and fares should be checked directly with the operators: ferries with Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària, island and regional flights with Binter Canarias, bus services with the responsible island operator or Cabildo, and the airport with AENA.
What rules apply in nature and protected areas?
The whole island falls under the biosphere reserve concept. In addition, there is Garajonay National Park and 16 or a total of 17 further protected natural areas, including nature reserves, natural monuments, protected landscapes and natural parks.
This restricts new construction, tourism use, camping and certain leisure activities. Before buying or converting, the land category, municipal development plan, water and electricity connections and, where applicable, protected-area conditions must be checked.
The official environment brochure recommends suitable footwear and clothing, keeping to marked paths and checking AEMET weather warnings. Heat with calima, strong gusts and heavy rain are particularly relevant.
Anyone who ignores bans, closures or safety requirements, or is inadequately equipped, may be charged for rescue or recovery operations. Normal walking under correct conditions is generally not classified there as a chargeable high-risk sporting activity.