Discover why living in La Oliva has become the choice of thousands of Europeans looking for quality of life, privileged climate and an incomparable natural environment in Fuerteventura.
The Canary Islands is a destination increasingly chosen by foreigners to establish their residence. According to the report of the Official Association of Economists of Las Palmas published in February 2025, the growth of the foreign population in the Canary Islands has been constant during the last two decades.
In 2000, foreigners represented only 6.8% of the population of the archipelago, a percentage that has been rising to 20.4% in 2022. Within the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is the island with the largest foreign presence. Here, 36.1% of its inhabitants were born abroad. But it is in the municipality of La Oliva where the weight of foreign inhabitants is higher, specifically, 48.8% of all its inhabitants.
What is the reason for such a large foreign population? What is it about La Oliva that makes half of its inhabitants foreigners?
Why do so many foreigners choose to live in La Oliva?
In 2022, 48.8% of the residents of the municipality of La Oliva were of foreign origin, almost half of its total population. It is followed by Antigua (47.2%) and Pájara (42.4%), two other tourist municipalities with similar dynamics. If we take into account that the growth has continued since then, today the real figure could exceed 50%.
The strong attraction that La Oliva exerts on the foreign population combines economic, touristic and social factors that we will try to explain in this article.
The price of housing has skyrocketed
The average price of housing in La Oliva has risen 134% in the last ten years according to the latest data published by Idealista and analyzed from Destiny Home in our article Selling house in La Oliva 10 years later: now your house could be worth twice as much.
Buying a 70 m² house today costs around 227,990 euros, compared to 97,230 euros a decade ago.
This sharp rise in prices makes it difficult for many local residents, whose incomes are not growing at the same rate as prices, to afford housing. Saving the amount needed for a down payment on a mortgage has become increasingly difficult, especially when banks require at least 20% of the value of the property.
Meanwhile, for many European buyers, these prices are still lower than in their home countries, which makes La Oliva an attractive option for purchasing a second home or investing in holiday rentals.
*Find out how the price of housing has evolved in each municipality of Fuerteventura by downloading our latest real estate report.
REAL ESTATE REPORT IN FUERTEVENTURA
Sale prices, number of transactions, available accommodations, buyer study...
Tourism: from visitors to residents
La Oliva is home to some of the most tourist and unique destinations of Fuerteventura: Corralejo, the main urban and tourist center; El Cotillo, famous for its beaches and coastal environment; Lajares, with its relaxed lifestyle and surfing spirit; and other charming towns like Villaverde, Tindaya, La Caldereta, Vallebrón, Majanicho or Parque Holandés.
The mild climate throughout the year, its paradisiacal beaches and peaceful atmosphere make many visitors decide to extend their stay or even move their residence to live in La Oliva permanently.
It is very common that, after visiting La Oliva several times, many foreigners decide to buy a property, either to live in it or as an investment. This trend has contributed to the dynamism of the local real estate market, where international demand plays an increasingly important and visible role.
One of the best options currently offered by the market to buy a house in the municipality of La Oliva is this set of houses located in Corralejo.
Consolidated foreign communities
Another key factor that explains why so many foreigners decide to live in La Oliva is the previous presence of already established foreign communities, something that facilitates integration and encourages other compatriots to settle permanently in this area.
Italians are currently the largest community, with 6,784 residents, up 60% from 2014. They are followed by the British with 3,562 residents, 24% more than ten years ago.
These groups have created social networks, businesses, international schools, restaurants and adapted services, generating a call effect for new residents from the same countries.
Tax benefits for foreign investment
The Spanish fiscal framework, and in particular the Canary Islands, offers advantageous conditions for foreign investment:
- Double taxation agreements that avoid taxing the same income twice in Spain and in the country of origin.
- Fixed rate for residents on capital gains obtained on the sale of real estate.
- Expenses deductible on rental income, which improves the net return on investment.
In addition, the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands (REF) includes specific incentives that reduce the tax burden of companies and self-employed individuals who invest in the islands.
These conditions have turned La Oliva into an attractive pole for foreign real estate investment, both in vacation homes and in tourist or long term rental projects.
*If you are a foreigner looking to invest in Fuerteventura, Destiny Home has the real estate services you need:
Registration and temporary residences
Not all foreigners registered in La Oliva live there permanently. Many simply have second homes or spend long periods on the island, but choose to register to benefit from public services such as health, administrative procedures or tax benefits. This practice increases the official number of residents, although a significant number maintain their habitual residence outside the Canary Islands.
Do you want to live in La Oliva?
If you are thinking of living in La Oliva and enjoy the quiet and sunny lifestyle of the north of Fuerteventura, in Destiny Home we accompany you throughout the process to find your home on the island is an easy and safe experience.
Our team specialized in foreign buyers will guide you through the process:
- Advise you on the best areas of Fuerteventura according to your lifestyle.
- Presenting you with a selection of homes customized to what you are looking for.
- Manage visits even if you do not reside in Spain.
- Guide you through all the legal, financial and administrative procedures necessary to buy in Spain.
In addition, we have a comprehensive after-sales and relocation service, which will guide you on registration, opening accounts and contracting supplies or rental management, so that your arrival in Fuerteventura is as simple as exciting.
Do you want to start looking for your new residence in Fuerteventura? At Destiny Home we are ready to start the process.
Questions and Answers about living in La Oliva
Almost half of the inhabitants of La Oliva are foreigners attracted by its mild climate, unique beaches and tranquil lifestyle. In addition, housing prices remain competitive with other European countries and there are established international communities that facilitate integration and encourage more people to settle in the area.
If you are a foreigner, you can buy a property in La Oliva safely with the support of a specialized team. In Destiny Home we help you to select properties according to your needs, manage in-person or virtual visits and process all the legal, fiscal and administrative aspects necessary to buy and settle in Fuerteventura.
The most numerous are Italian and British, followed by German, French and Belgian. These communities are consolidated with businesses, international schools and adapted services, which facilitates the arrival and integration of new foreign residents.
