More than 800,000 tourists and some 60,000 Italians living in the Canary Islands will have to pass through border control

Over 800,000 tourists and approximately 60,000 Italian residents in the Canary Islands will now have to go through border controls between Italy and Spain. The new measures, which apply reciprocally, require travelers moving between the two countries to undergo checks at designated points. This has raised concerns among both tourist groups and long-term residents, particularly due to the logistical challenges these changes could bring. The border controls were introduced following recent diplomatic discussions aimed at enhancing security and immigration oversight. While the exact implementation date was not specified in the latest reports, the impact is already being felt at key entry points such as Tenerife-South Airport, where queues are expected to grow during peak travel times. These delays are likely to exacerbate existing issues with airport operations, especially given the high volume of flights connecting the Canary Islands to mainland Europe. Currently, there are 37 direct air routes between Italy and the Canary Islands, operating weekly with 73 flights. These routes serve as a vital link for both tourism and personal visits. According to the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (Istac), in 2025, over 834,000 tourists from Italy visited the archipelago, making them the second-largest group after Spanish nationals. However, the number of Italians living permanently in the Canary Islands exceeds that of other nationalities, reaching around 60,000. These residents often travel between their home country and the islands for family reasons, business, or leisure, and the new rules will complicate these movements until the restrictions are lifted. Italian communities in the Canary Islands are concentrated in specific areas, with Tenerife being the most popular destination. In Fuerteventura, the municipality of La Oliva, particularly its tourist area of Corralejo, hosts the highest percentage of Italian residents. On Tenerife, the southern town of Adeje and the nearby district of Arona also show significant Italian presence. The Italian consulate in the Canary Islands operates via telephone from Monday to Thursday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., limiting immediate data collection on how affected individuals are coping with the new requirements. In the province of Las Palmas, only one consulate office is active, representing a lower-level diplomatic presence. Among the ten largest municipalities in Spain with more than 1,000 inhabitants and the highest percentage of Italian residents, eight are located in the Canary Islands. La Oliva leads with 16.88% of its population being Italian, followed by Adeje (10.99%), Antigua (9.77%), and Arona (8.64%). These figures highlight the substantial influence of the Italian community within the region. In Santa Lucía de Tirajana, known for its diverse ethnic composition, the Italian population ranks second behind Spaniards, with Moroccans forming the third-largest group. This demographic detail underscores the broader cultural and social integration of Italian residents into the Canary Islands' society. As the new border regulations take effect, the challenge lies not just in managing the administrative process but also in maintaining the quality of service and support available to this established community.