New Aid Available for Second Homes Affected by the La Palma Volcano

24 July 2023 - Fernando González Romero

At the end of 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted, scarring the island of La Palma (Canary Islands).

Initially, only people whose main residence was La Palma were eligible for the national and regional aid packages. Now, however, two new aid packages have been created, extending the circle of beneficiaries.

To help people affected by the volcanic eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, two new aid packages have been created. They directly benefit people who have their second home on La Palma and/or have lost property, businesses or real estate in Los Llanos de Aridane. The application deadlines are very short, ending already in August. Both aid packages can be combined with each other.

The first aid package is provided by the island government of La Palma for people affected by the volcanic eruption. Eligible for this aid are owners of second homes used as such or as tourist accommodation other than hotels (holiday flats and homes, villas, emblematic houses and country houses). In other words, the new aid will benefit people whose main residence is not on La Palma, but who have a second home there which they effectively use and which was affected by the volcanic eruption.

A prerequisite for receiving this aid is prior registration in the corresponding registry (Registro de Personas Afectadas por las Erupciones Volcánicas). The registration process was closed in November 2022, but many registered persons have not yet received aid because the affected property was not their main residence.

The La Palma government has made funds of EUR 4,500,000 available, to be distributed among the affected property owners on a pro-rata basis, taking into account the requested amount and severity of the damage caused by the volcanic eruption.

The deadline for applying for this aid for the second home provided by the La Palma government is 22 August 2023.

The second aid package is granted by the local council of Los Llanos de Aridane. It is intended for people who have lost property, businesses or real estate due to the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

In order to be eligible for this direct aid, the applicant must be registered in the aforementioned register and must own at least one property in Los Llanos de Aridane.

The local council has designated funds of EUR 950,000 to help property owners affected by the eruption in its municipality, to be distributed proportionally among the affected persons.

The deadline for applying for the direct aid from the local council of Los Llanos de Aridane is 8 August 2023.

If you have questions or would like information or assessment regarding the new aids available, please contact our real estate lawyers at one of the following email addresses:

[email protected]

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