It’s not as simple as you might think! The process is classically bureaucratic, but ultimately straightforward.

Where from?

The choice isn’t as big as you might have thought, because most of the hire cars from here go back to be sold on the Spanish mainland. Most major manufacturers have dealers here, and they can be found in Arrecife, but very few of them offer second hand cars. Used cars tend to be left to the specialist used car dealers which can be found in Playa Honda and Arrecife.

One thing to note is that second hand values tend to be quite high here, as there is a demand for decent used cars. A late used car can make a new one seem a bargain!

Buying privately is pretty common, and you can find used cars for sale in The Gazette, Estohay magazine and online in classified adverts.

If you buy from a dealer, the “transferencia” will be taken care of normally as part of the price – that’s changing the registration into your name. But if buying privately, you and the seller will have to do that job yourself. Here’s the process:  read more »

On the 25th May 2010 there was a Reforma Ley de Tráfico, a change in the traffic laws for driving in Spain. Full details of the changes are available on the DGT website, we have attached two information leaflets to the bottom of this article that can be downloaded and there is a video to watch and although in Spanish it visually explains the changes.

Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba the Minister of the Interior intoduces the new changes, he explains that over the last five years the number of deaths caused by driving has halved and the new changes should continue to reduce this figure. Please not the following is an approximate translation of the law, we advise you to read the Spanish version for the full changes in the law.  read more »

Hopefully you won’t need any of the following, but if you do need emergency numbers, help or advice whilst in Lanzarote here it is!

Emergency Telephone: (Police, Ambulance & Fire) 112

British Consulate & Embassy details for Lanzarote

Our British Consulate office is situated in Las Palmas, their contact details are:

Address: Edificio Cataluña, Calle Luis Morote 6-3º, 35007, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Telephone: (0034) 928 262 508

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 1.30pm

Website: www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/

There is an Emergency Consular Team based in London and their office is manned 24 hours per day telephone: (0044) 020 7008 1500.

The British Embassy is situated in Madrid, their contact details are:

Address: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D, 28046, Madrid

Telephone: 91 714 6300 (Emergency out of hours 91 714 6400)

A Consular officer normally visits Lanzarote once a month on each third Thursday and is available in the lounge of the Hotel Los Fariones in Puerto del Carmen. Please note that appointments should be booked in advance through the Consulate office in Las Palmas. There is an honorary consul in Lanzarote, Susan Thain is available for local consular assistance, she can be contacted via the consulate in Gran Canaria on (0034) 928 26 25 08.  read more »

Lost or Stolen Passport in Lanzarote

According to the Ley 50/1999 passed by Royal Decree in March 2002, the following list of dog breeds are considered to be dangerous in Spain including any cross breeds:

a) Pit Bull Terrier

b) Staffordshire Bull Terrier

c) American Staffordshire Terrier

d) Rottweiler

e) Dogo Argentino

f) Fila Brasileiro

g) Tosa Inu

h) Akita Inu

In addition the law states that dogs included in Ley 50/1999 have a majority of the following characteristics:  read more »

We’ve previously written information on driving in Lanzarote which details the local speed limits, traffic rules, parking and driving fines (multas), points system etc here in Lanzarote. Have you been unfortunate to be issued with a multa (fine)?

If you have a Spanish driving license and have received a multa then its now possible to pay them online with a debit or credit card (Visa / Master Card / Maestro).

*  Go to the Dirección General de Tráfico website www.dgt.es and select the menu option on the left hand side called ‘Trámites y Multas’.

*  Next look for the heading ‘¿Alguna Multa?’ select the single option “Pago de multas, notificationes, identificación de conductor, alegaciones, Centro de Denuncias Automatizadas..” underneath.

*  Now you want the top option ‘Pago de Multas’ and select a) Pago de multas (sin certificado digital ni DNI electrónico).  read more »

European Health Cards for UK and Spanish residents.

UK Resident

Residency is established by the length of time that you spend in a country, you are deemed to be resident when you live in a country for 6 months or more. If you are a UK resident but planning to take a holiday within Europe you should apply for your European Health Card (EHIC) before you leave. This card is issued free of charge from the NHS and allows you to have emergency medical care provided by the state healthcare system of the country.  read more »

We’ve previously posted our eight things to remember when you drive in Lanzarote information but for those of you wanting a more detailed look at the rules for driving in Spain our full guide is below.

The Policía Municipal are responsible for traffic control within the towns, outside these areas it becomes the area of the Guardia Civil de Tráfico. The motorcycle police usually patrol in pairs and are trained in mechanics and first aid, they will stop and help any drivers in trouble. The police will often set up a check point and stop random motorists, they want to see your passport or residencia, driving license and vehicle registration papers (permiso de circulación) with insurance certificate (including proof of payment).  read more »

To be able to get married in Lanzarote, one of the couple must be a Spanish citizen or both of the partners registered as Spanish residents and aged 18 or older. There is a lot of paperwork before the ceremony, general advice is to start the process at least six months prior to your wedding day.

You will need to apply giving three months notice to your local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) to arrange your civil wedding but before you can do this, you have to get your paperwork in order.  read more »