New fuel tax will come into effect this month in Tenerife
The Tenerife Cabildo has officially approved the introduction of the so-called “céntimo forestal”, a new environmental tax adding one cent per litre of petrol and diesel sold on the island. The measure was passed during Thursday’s plenary session despite opposition from PSOE and Vox.
According to the Cabildo, the revenue will be entirely dedicated to environmental initiatives such as forest protection, reforestation, and sustainability programmes. The new tax will come into effect later this month, approximately ten days after its publication in the Official Provincial Bulletin (BOP).
The measure was initially approved in July, followed by a public consultation period during which the Cabildo received objections from the municipalities of La Victoria de Acentejo and Fasnia, as well as from citizen groups and members of the public. However, all objections were dismissed after review.
Juan Carlos Pérez Frías, the Cabildo’s Director of Finance, stated that the fiscal amendment complies with current legislation and therefore remains valid.
Opposition parties, however, strongly criticised the move. PSOE spokesman Aarón Afonso labelled it an “unfair and unnecessary tax” on Tenerife residents, arguing that the government is “charging locals instead of introducing a tourist eco-tax that would make visitors contribute to environmental upkeep.”
The plenary also approved a €52 million budget modification for various projects, though a €325,000 grant proposal for the Red Cross, intended to support a recovery centre for homeless people in the south of the island, was blocked after Vox voted against it.
In addition, Councillor for the Environment Blanca Pérez outlined upcoming sustainability and mobility measures for Teide National Park, highlighting plans to introduce shuttle buses and promote collective transport while ensuring that Tenerife residents retain free access.
The 2026 budget will allocate €200,000 for a mobility study and €950,000 for a new rural security service, alongside the reinforcement of the island’s environmental ranger staff.
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