There are lots of perks to living in Gran Canaria, including the weather, the cheap petrol and wine, and the general smugness that it gives you. Then there are the Gran Canaria resident discounts …

Getting a bank account in Gran Canaria is a doddle if you have an NIE or residencia. Just pick a bank and give them your NIE number, passport and a proof of address (utility bill, rent contract). Then sign a lot of bits of paper and you have an account.

If you own a Gran Canaria property and want to rent it out, there are three ways to do it and each has its own advantages. 

Buying a property in Gran Canaria costs about 10% of the price you pay once you factor in taxes and fees. Selling a property involves some costs but these only add up if you profit from the sale. The annual tax burden of owning a property in Gran Canaria is low.

When you see the prices of second hand cars in Gran Canaria you will probably think about importing a much cheaper car from mainland Europe or the UK. Whilst overall it can be cheaper importing a car there are many costs involved in importing a car to the Canary Islands and you need to consider them carefully before bringing your car here.

Driving in Gran Canaria isn't so bad but there are a few things you need to know to avoid scares and fines. 

Buying a second hand car in Gran Canaria is a fairly simple process provided you know some Spanish and a bit about cars. If not, get some help.

With one of Spain’s top outdoor shopping areas and several well-stocked malls, Gran Canaria (and especially Las Palmas), has become a great place to shop. The new shopping centres due to open in Puerto Rico will make a big difference in south Gran Canaria. 

So, you're moving to Gran Canaria with the kids in tow and wondering about schools. Here's the Gran Canaria Info guide to Gran Canaria schools and education.

Unless you try to drive over, relocating to Gran Canaria isn't really any harder than moving anywhere else in Europe.

Gran Canaria's foreign residents now get up to 50% off their car insurance thanks to specialist expat insurance.