Moving to Fuerteventura: tips

Moving to Fuerteventura is a dream for many, but you need to be very careful before making such an important decision.

If you’re thinking of moving, it’s a good idea to visit the island for a couple of months and carefully evaluate the job opportunities and your ideal lifestyle.

Fuerteventura is located in the Canary Islands archipelago in Spain, a few kilometers from the African coast, and is the perfect place to live in tranquility.

The slow island welcomes everyone with open arms, offering everything the body and soul need to regenerate when routine suffocates us.

Between desert and volcanic landscapes, dunes that embrace the thousand shades of the ocean, Fuerteventura boasts a surprising alternation of scenery.

Discovering the true essence of the island, the culture and traditions of each place, and living with everything around us fills the heart with powerful emotions.

The mild climate year-round is perfect for living in Fuerteventura and enjoying the scent of the sea, but you have to get used to the ever-present trade winds.

The cost of living in Fuerteventura is lower than in Italy, but house prices for sale and rent are rising, especially in tourist areas.

A sore point in every town of Fuerteventura is the limited availability of houses for rent, as most are holiday homes.

The work, however, is mainly related to tourism and speaking Spanish, English and German is almost always a fundamental requirement.

The oldest island in the Canaries is the ideal place for digital nomads, with excellent internet access and many great deals.

Beyond relaxing on breathtaking beaches, Fuerteventura is an island of a thousand possibilities: trekking, hiking, snorkeling, surfing, golf, yoga, and local culture.

However, the nightlife is quieter than on other Canary Islands, but there is no shortage of bars, restaurants, pubs and discos, especially in Corralejo.

Schools and pharmacies are present in all towns, however the hospital is only found in the capital of Fuerteventura , Puerto del Rosario.

Of course, there are many private medical centers you can turn to, provided you first obtain private medical insurance, which is very affordable.

 

How much money do you need to move to Fuerteventura?

The question arises spontaneously: how much money do you need to move to Fuerteventura ?

Starting a new life in Fuerteventura involves several initial and recurring expenses, and the main costs to consider are:

• Rent costs: where to consider the current monthly payment and a 2-3 month deposit
• The cost of accommodation in a holiday home for at least 6 months, in the event that there are no rentals in the desired area

The monthly expenses instead consist of:

• Private health insurance to avoid the long waits for public health care
• Internet
• public transport or car fuel
• electricity and water bills
• shopping at the supermarket

So in general, with €1,300 per month per person you can lead a decent life.

However, resorts such as Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste , Morro Jable and Costa Calma are more expensive than Puerto del Rosario or the inland villages.

 

Which city on the island is best to live in?

It’s difficult to say exactly which city in Fuerteventura is best to live in, as every corner of the island is a true earthly paradise.

Those who don’t know the island wonder whether the north or south of the island is better for a holiday or for moving to Fuerteventura .

Of course, it all depends on what you want to have in your daily life and identifying your priorities.

Southern Fuerteventura is the ideal place for those seeking total relaxation on heavenly beaches, some with facilities, far from the chaos of the city, especially suitable for retirees.

In Costa Calma and Morro Jable, however, the services available are those suited to tourists: bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and a medical centre.

The same thing happens in the tourist resorts of El Cotillo and Caleta de Fuste, ideal for families and, why not, even young people.

Corralejo, Fuerteventura’s most famous beach, is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy the sea without giving up sports and nightlife.

Naturally, the capital of Fuerteventura , Puerto del Rosario, a few kilometres from the airport, is the ideal place for those wishing to move to Fuerteventura.

Here you can find everything you need for daily life, staying in close contact with the locals and easily reaching any location.

 

What jobs can be done in Fuerteventura?

The jobs available in Fuerteventura are mostly related to the tourism sector, such as bars, restaurants, and hotels, even with little experience in the sector.

Job offers in Fuerteventura can be part-time or full-time, especially those presented directly by employment agencies and institutions.

The most sought-after professions in Fuerteventura are:

• waiters
• dishwasher
• receptionists for hotels and resorts
• cleaners
• administration
• communication
• maintenance services
• car rental agents

Naturally, in Fuerteventura it is not possible to work without Spanish documents, called NIE.

Excellent command of Spanish and other languages such as English and German are often essential for obtaining employment in the island’s tourist resorts.

Self-employed workers in Fuerteventura are the best option for a peaceful life without feeling overwhelmed by taxes.

There are many reasons for choosing to work in Fuerteventura , and based on these and your skills, you can find the right opportunity.

Want more information about job opportunities on the Island of Eternal Spring?

Here are the most sought-after professions in Fuerteventura 

 

Houses for rent and sale in Fuerteventura

Before moving to Fuerteventura, the first issue to resolve is housing, which can be rented or bought.

Unfortunately, rental properties in Fuerteventura are still the island’s weak point, as they are either almost non-existent in all locations or at exorbitant prices.

This is for the simple reason that holiday homes at Fuerteventura, which are constantly increasing, are much more profitable.

So the only solution is to buy a house in less touristy areas, or in inland areas.

However, the price of renting and selling houses in Fuerteventura shows no signs of slowing down, hindering the desire to move to the island.

Property buyers must therefore take these increases into account and carefully evaluate the purchase and, in the meantime, consider staying in a holiday home.

 

Connections and transport

A fundamental aspect to consider when deciding to live in Fuerteventura is public transport and connections between locations.

Buses in Fuerteventura are efficient, comfortable, and economical, making them the most popular means of transport for both tourists and residents.

The official company that manages the lines on the island is called Tiadhe and from the website you can browse all the routes and their timetables.

However, using public transport can be a real limitation, as it connects the main points of the island.

Another factor that could discourage the use of public transport in Fuerteventura is the limited number of journeys, especially on holidays.

Of course, you can use a taxi, or for the first few months on the island, you can rely on the numerous car rental agencies in Fuerteventura.

In the latter case, however, you need to be careful, as insurance does not cover damage caused by accidents on dirt roads.

 

Public and private healthcare

To receive medical care in Fuerteventura, both tourists and residents can use the public or private healthcare system.

The General Hospital of Fuerteventura , is located in the island’s capital Puerto del Rosario and is the only public hospital with a wide range of services:

• emergency room, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology and internal medicine, radiology and much more

The facility has modern medical equipment and a team of qualified doctors who provide quality medical care .

There are also several private clinics in some locations, offering specialized medical services, including cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and sports medicine.

In addition, the island has a number of first aid centers (medical guard ), ensuring patients receive quick and efficient assistance.

First aid is free, simply present your Italian health card and then decide whether to proceed with specialist visits.

Once you have obtained your Spanish documents (NIE and Tarjeta de Salud) and chosen your family doctor, everything is easier.

All tests and specialist visits performed through the Canarian public healthcare system are free and there is no co-payment.

However, it is possible to use private hospitals after taking out private health insurance.

Private health insurance is not at all expensive and avoids the long waiting lists of public health care.

Education in Fuerteventura

There are many families who decide to radically change their lives and seek confirmation about education in Fuerteventura .

Many of these have children or young people who still attend school in Italy and are concerned about how the Spanish school system works.

Obviously, like any new beginning, there are initial difficulties or inconveniences, as teachers in schools in Fuerteventura only speak Spanish.

But if you find yourself having trouble, there are support teachers available, or you can opt for a private Spanish course.

Education in Fuerteventura is slightly different from that in Italy and includes:

• Educación Infantil : from 0-3 years and from 3-5 years, which is equivalent to the Italian nursery school and kindergarten
• Primary education, which is equivalent to Italian elementary school and lasts 6 years (from 6 to 11 years old)
• Educación Secundaria , equivalent to Italian middle school, is divided into 2 cycles with a total duration of 4 years

Next up are:

• the average training cycle lasts 1 year , such as: beauty, hairdressing, cooking, tourism, business administration, and other professionally oriented subjects.
• 2-year higher education cycle and includes more technical subjects such as electronics, computer science, chemistry and many other scientific subjects

Next are the Canary Islands universities which generally last 4 years, except for longer specializations.