State Government Urges European Commission to Relocate Canary Islands Migrants to Other European Nations

The Spanish Government has sent a set of proposals to the European Commission (EC) aimed at strengthening the Canary Islands as an outermost region. The initiatives include boosting the budget of the Specific Options Programme for Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI), facilitating the transfer of unaccompanied minor migrants to mainland Europe, and restricting the purchase of non‑residential housing.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo presented these measures during a parliamentary interpellation by Canary Coalition MP Cristina Valido, who raised the status of the Canaries as an outermost region. Cuerpo pledged to listen to “all proposals” that support the “territorial cohesion” of the archipelago.

Key Proposals

• Maintain POSEI’s “singularity” with a sufficient, differentiated and protected budget.
• Simplify administrative procedures and cut bureaucracy to enhance the competitiveness of Canary businesses.
• Fishing sector: urgent renewal of the artisanal fleet and regulatory changes to fund safety and sustainability measures for vessels under 12 metres.

Housing and Immigration

Cuerpo also outlined measures in the migration field to facilitate the redistribution of unaccompanied minors and the transfer of migrants from outermost regions to continental Europe, aiming to avoid the “over‑concentration” of migrant populations.

Regarding housing, the minister announced a restriction on the acquisition of non‑residential properties to “reduce market pressure” and “improve access to housing,” especially for young people. He also called for greater flexibility in state aid schemes, to be implemented through legislative action.

“The government not only understands the Canary singularity, but also provides record resources for the region’s development, contributes to structural transfers from European funds, and seeks to maximise the opportunities of all these instruments,” the minister summarized.

Previously, Valido demanded the creation of a “joint coordination table” between the Ministry of Economy and the Canary Government to review compliance with the archipelago’s economic and fiscal regime. She also requested that the executive share fiscal and tax data so that the Canary Coalition can “analyse” its economy and the impact of relevant legislation.