Law and order in Tenerife

Having settled in Tenerife, we normally go through life oblivious to the operation of the law around us; it is only when something goes wrong that we become very aware of it.  This is the worst time to rely upon assumption, so a basic grounding in how the system works should help to guide you through.  Crime rates are lower in Tenerife than most places in Europe, which is one of the attractions of the island, but of course that does not mean that it never happens.  There are various police forces with overlapping responsibilities and for a foreigner it can be confusing in stressful circumstances.  Reporting a crime or filing a complaint is your right as a citizen, and in some cases, it can be your obligation.  Serious crimes may be rare, but complaints against businesses are relatively common.  Knowing what to do if a business has sold a product under false pretences or if a company has not delivered on its promises can be very useful knowledge, if only to negotiate a satisfactory solution. 

There are all sorts of police officers in Tenerife, and this can be slightly confusing for a foreigner, who is often forced to ask the question “Why?”  Well, Tenerife Lifeline does not quite answer that question, but it does tell you how they all came into existence.  There are four main police forces operating in Tenerife, the Guardia Civil, the Policía Nacional, the Policía Local and the all new Policía Canaria.

Tenerife Lifeline also covers the court system and prisons in Tenerife.  Hopefully information that may be interesting, but never actually needed!

Useful links about law and order in Tenerife

Making a denuncia online

The Guardia Civil 

The Cuerpo Nacional de Policía

The Policía Canaria

Instituto Nacional del Consumo

Ministry of Justice Application for certificates (such as Death), services regarding nationality, recognition of qualifications...