Buying electronics in the Canary Islands: A comprehensive guide to saving money with IGIC for visitors in 2026

Are you planning a trip to Tenerife and thinking about buying electronics? Thanks to the 7% IGIC tax rate, you can save up to 14% compared to prices on the mainland. Here’s everything you need to know: prices, shops, warranties and customs.

Why is electronics cheaper in the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands have a special tax regime within the EU. Instead of the 21% VAT rate that applies in mainland Spain, in Tenerife only a IGIC 7% (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax). That difference of 14 percentage points is noticeable with every purchase.

It is not a temporary promotion or a discount for tourists. It is the standard tax rate that applies to everything sold on the islands — including electronic goods. It applies equally to visitors and residents.

The result: an iPhone 17 Pro Max that costs €1,599 on the mainland (including 21% VAT) costs €1,399 in Tenerife (including 7% IGIC). Same product. Same warranty. Different tax.

Price comparison: Tenerife vs the mainland vs Europe

Here is a comparison of the prices of the most sought-after products in Tenerife with the official prices on the mainland, in the UK and in Germany:

Apple products

Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands

*Approximate prices including 7% IGIC. Actual prices may vary. Please enquire macysdigital.com for the latest prices.

The optimal savings range

The largest profitability This applies to products costing between €200 and €430: the tax difference is significant and you remain within the duty-free allowance without having to complete any paperwork. The highest savings in absolute terms It is found in premium products such as the MacBook Air, iPhone 17 Pro Max and Apple Watch Ultra 3, although tariffs may offset some of the profit.

Is there an Apple Store in Tenerife?

No. There are no official Apple Stores in the Canary Islands — neither in Tenerife, nor in Gran Canaria, nor on any other island. The nearest Apple Stores are on the mainland (Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella).

The best option in the southern tourist area of Tenerife is Macys Digital at the Parque Santiago 3 Shopping Centre, in Playa de las Américas. The shop has been open since 2009 and stocks the full range of current Apple products.

Important: Macys Digital is not an Apple Authorised Reseller, but all Apple products are genuine, new and come with the Apple’s official worldwide warranty. If your iPhone or MacBook has any problems once you’re back home, you can visit any Apple Store or authorised service centre — the warranty is valid worldwide.

Macys Digital: What you’ll find

Available products

The shop covers virtually every category of technology:

Smartphones: Apple (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro), Samsung (Galaxy S26), Xiaomi (Redmi Note 15 Pro)

Computers: MacBook Air M4, MacBook Neo, MacBook Pro M5, Mac Mini M4 Pro

Audio: AirPods (4, 4 ANC, Pro 3, Max), Beats, JBL (Go, Flip, Charge, Tune, Wave), Samsung Galaxy Buds, Xiaomi Redmi Buds, Marshall, Bose, Harman Kardon

Smartwatches: Apple Watch (Series 11, SE 3, Ultra 3), Samsung Galaxy Watch, Xiaomi Smart Band, Amazfit

Cameras: GoPro, Insta360, Kodak PixPro, Fujifilm Instax

E-readers: Amazon Kindle, PocketBook Era

Accessories: Cases, Apple chargers (USB-C 20W, 96W, 140W), cables, screen protectors, MagSafe accessories, adaptors

Special services for visitors

Mobile phone repair — Cracked screen whilst on holiday? iPhone and Samsung repairs often completed on the same day. No need to wait for days on end, unlike at the Genius Bar.

Currency exchange — Exchange pounds, dollars or other currencies directly in the shop. Handy when you’re already there.

SIM cards for tourists — Local SIM card purchased and set up on the spot. Online straight away, with no roaming charges.

Screen protectors — New device? A toughened glass screen protector fitted on the spot, included in the price.

Funding — Instalment payments are available for large purchases.

The team speaks Spanish and English

The staff at Macy's Digital are native speakers of both Spanish and English. They can answer technical questions in detail, help you set up your new device and explain how the international warranty works.

How to get there

Address: CC Parque Santiago 3, Unit 165–167, Avenida de Las Américas, 38650 Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

How to find it: Search «Santiago 3 Park» on Google Maps. If you’re staying at the Parque Santiago aparthotels, the shop is on the ground floor. From most hotels in Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje, it’s just a few minutes’ walk or a short taxi ride along the main avenue. TITSA buses serve the entire south coast.

Opening hours:

Contact: Telephone: +34 603 116 005 · Fixed: +34 922 792 693 · Website: macysdigital.com

Warranty: Does it apply outside the Canary Islands?

Yes, without any restrictions.

Apple products come with a worldwide manufacturer’s warranty. If your iPhone, purchased in Tenerife, develops a fault on the mainland, you can visit any Apple Store (Puerta del Sol in Madrid, Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, La Cañada in Marbella) or any authorised service centre. The warranty is verified by the serial number, not by the place of purchase.

Samsung and Xiaomi offer a pan-European warranty. All products come with the 2-year statutory warranty in accordance with EU consumer legislation.

Keep your receipt: it serves as proof of purchase and a warranty document.

Customs: what can you take to mainland Spain?

The Canary Islands belong politically to Spain and the EU, but they are outside the EU’s VAT territory. That is why there are duty-free shops when you fly back to the mainland or the rest of Europe.

The franchise

The allowance for air passengers travelling from the Canary Islands is €430 per person.

What does this mean in practice?

Products costing less than €430: No duty, no declaration. AirPods Pro 3 (~€259), Apple Watch Series 11 (~€399), JBL speakers, Kindle — all within the duty-free allowance. The IGIC savings are entirely yours.

Items costing over €430: You must declare and pay VAT as required by your autonomous community (form 21% in most cases) on any amount exceeding €430.

Calculation example: iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB, €1,399)

• Purchase price in Tenerife: 1.399€
• Less excess: €1,399 – €430 = €969 (subject to VAT)
• Mainland VAT (21%): €969 × 0.21 = approx. €203 in duty
• IGIC savings compared with mainland Spain: ~€200
• Net result: ~-€3 (you’re practically on a par when travelling alone)

The couple’s strategy completely changes the calculation: two excesses of €430 cover €860 of the price, leaving only €539 subject to VAT → ~€113 in charges → net saving ~€87.

Calculation example: AirPods Pro 3 (€239)

• Purchase price in Tenerife: 239€
• Below the €430 allowance → no charge
• Net saving: ~€40 (completely free of any additional taxes)

The partnership strategy

Each person has their own tax-free allowance of €430. A couple buying a 13-inch MacBook Air M4 (~€1,069) can split the cost: €430 under one person’s allowance + €639 under the other’s. Only €209 exceeds the second allowance. At the 21% VAT rate = ~€44 in duties — with a a net saving of around €86.

A family of four has a combined duty-free allowance of €1,720 — enough for a MacBook and various accessories without paying a single cent in duty.

Practical tips

• Keep the receipt — customs officers may ask to see proof of purchase
• Use your purchases — if you’re wearing your new Apple Watch and listening to music on your AirPods on the plane, these are clearly personal items in use
• Don’t hide anything — the risk of a fine does not justify the relatively small sums involved
• No currency issues — prices are in euros, so there is no exchange rate risk for visitors from mainland Spain

Which products are best value for money?

Without a doubt ✅

Products under €430 — full savings, no duty:

• AirPods Pro 3 (239€) → ~€40 saved
• AirPods 4 ANC (179€) → ~€20 saved
• AirPods 4 (139€) → ~€10 saving
• Apple Watch SE 3 (~€249) → ~€30 saved
• Apple Watch Series 11 (~€399) → ~€50 savings
• Samsung Galaxy Buds4 (179€) → ~€20 saved
• Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro (249€) → ~€30 saved
• Pocketbook Era 7 (249€) → ~€30 saved
• Kindle Paperwhite (~€149) → ~€21 saved
• JBL Flip 6 (109€) → ~€21 saved
• JBL Go 4 (43,99€) → ~€6 saved
• Cases, cables, chargers → small savings that add up

Generally, yes ✓

Products priced from €430 to €1,000:

• iPad Air M4 11″ (619€) → within the individual excess, total savings ~€80
• Apple Watch Ultra 3 (~€799) → significant savings on IGIC; some import duty only if you exceed the duty-free allowance
• GoPro Hero 13 Black (~€349) → below the threshold, total saving ~€51
• Samsung Galaxy S26 512GB (1.099€) → use a joint strategy to maximise savings

Do the maths first 🔢

Products costing over €1,000:

• iPhone 17 Pro Max (1.399€) → it’s only clearly worth it if you’re travelling as a couple (~€87 net saving)
• MacBook Air M4 (~€1,069) → similar; the ‘pair’ strategy helps a lot (~€86 net saving)
• MacBook Pro M5 (~€1,829+) → the tariff eats into a large part of the savings for single people

Beware of dodgy shops

In the tourist areas of Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, you’ll see small electronics shops with staff standing at the door, luring tourists inside. Loud music, flashing screens, «SALE» signs everywhere.

Some sell genuine products at fair prices. Others do not. As a visitor, it is difficult to tell the difference.

How to recognise a trustworthy shop:

• Clear and visible prices on products
• No high-pressure sales tactics at the door
• Official receipt showing the product’s serial number
• Willingness to explain the guarantee in detail
• Card payments with no surcharge
• Verifiable Google reviews from real customers
• Years of operating from the same premises

Macys Digital meets all these criteria and has been at the same address since 2009 — a reputation that cannot be faked.

Frequently Asked Questions