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A new fuel tax is set to come into effect this month in Tenerife , affecting locals and tourists alike. The government of Tenerife , the Tenerife Cabildo, has approved a new environmental tax known as " céntimo forestal”, which will affect anybody buying fuel on the Spanish island. The new tax, set to come into effect within this calendar month, will add one cent per litre of petrol and diesel sold in Tenerife. According to the Cabildo, the revenue made from the new tax will be entirely dedicated to environmental initiatives such as forest protection, reforestation, and sustainability programmes, Spanish news site Canarian Weekly reports. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE The new tax is expected to come into effect later this month, approximately ten days after its publication in the Official Provincial Bulletin (BOP). The environmental measure was initially approved in July this year, 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. The move was strongly criticised by opposition parties - 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. Councillor for the Environment Blanca Pérez also outlined upcoming sustainability and mobility measures for Teide National Park, including 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.
