Brits 'abandon' Tenerife holiday homes and sell up after EU rule change

UK citizens are reportedly departing from their holiday homes in Tenerife and putting them on the market due to a recent modification in EU regulations that has garnered frustration amongst tourists.

Numerous British holidaymakers, who have spent extended periods in the Canary Islands thanks to their overseas properties, are now being told they can only spend 90 days at a time in Spain. These stringent rules seem to be causing stirrings of departure amongst those affected by them.

The situation follows significant local protests over the weekend as thousands voiced their concerns about the number of tourists on the island and demanded a limit. With 'Tenerife not for sale' at the core of their sentiment, tensions between locals and foreign tourists appear heightened.

Read more: Canary Islands beg Brits to keep visiting as anti-tourist protests fuel fears of mass holiday cancellations Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East with our free newsletter

The impact of these shifts, stemming from post-Brexit policy changes, is already seeing Brits packing their suitcases.

According to residents, travellers taking over "every nook and cranny" of the island with hotels or holiday homes has been a source of major discontent. Jamie Quintero, a 21 year old protester, candidly shared: "We are not against tourism, but every nook and cranny is being taken over. We want to change it to make it more sustainable. When I visit beaches they are filled with rubbish it makes me sad.", reports the Mirror.

Lisa Robertson, who operates Jags Bar, a Scottish pub in Playa de las Americas, revealed to The Express that the sky-rocketing rental prices on the island, one of the key reasons behind the protests, have significantly impacted British residents in Tenerife. She confessed: "I know at least four people who have sold their houses over here because they can't come out as much as they used to be able to."

She highlighted one case, stating: "There's one couple in particular who used to do eight months [in the Canaries] and then six months in Scotland. But because they can only stay for 90 days they just sold their holiday home. I know families of four who've moved to one-bedroom flats because it's cheaper. They've been in places for years, but the landlords have put the rent up so much they can't afford it."

According to her, this shift in regulations has generated a less lively environment than before.

Providing further insights into the changes, she said: "I knew a lot of people who would come [to Tenerife] for months at a time and be here every night. I haven't seen them [since the rules changed]. There are lots of people like that. It's quite hard,". Robertson outlined how this impact spills over to the workforce too, saying: "It's also affected staffing as well. If you speak to any British bar on the island they are screaming for staff."