Buying electronics in Tenerife: A comprehensive guide for tourists and residents
Are you looking for the best tech deals during your visit to Tenerife? This guide covers everything you need to know: where to shop, how much you can actually save, and what you can take home with you.
Why buy electronics in Tenerife?
If you’re visiting Tenerife and are thinking of buying an iPhone, a MacBook or some AirPods, there’s good news: for many products, you can pay considerably less than on the mainland or in the rest of Europe. The difference varies depending on the model, but in some cases it’s quite significant – a 13-inch MacBook Air M4 can cost over €200 less than at Apple Spain.
The reason is fiscal. The Canary Islands have a special tax regime within the European Union. Instead of the VAT rate applied on the mainland – 21% in mainland Spain, 20% in the United Kingdom and 19% in Germany – Tenerife applies only a IGIC 7% (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax). This difference is passed on to the final price, although not always in full: each retailer sets its own prices and, for some products, part of the tax benefit is absorbed into the mark-up.
That means that The savings vary greatly depending on the product: very noticeable on some models (MacBook Air M4, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max), moderate on others (iPhone 17 Pro Max) and virtually non-existent in certain specific cases. Before travelling, it’s a good idea to compare the current price with that in your own country.
Unlike the duty-free shops at the airport, the electronics shops in Tenerife stock the full range of the latest products, rather than a limited selection of last year’s models.
How much can you really save? Price comparison
These are the actual prices published on Macys Digital compared with Apple Spain’s official prices. We have selected the products where the savings are most significant:
| Product | Apple Spain | Macys Digital | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air M5 13.6″ 512GB 16GB | 1.499€ | 1.139€ | 360€ |
| 15-inch MacBook Air M4, 256GB, 16GB | 1.499€ | 1.249€ | 250€ |
| 13-inch MacBook Air M4, 256GB, 16GB | 1.199€ | 969€ | 230€ |
| iPhone 17 256GB | 1.029€ | 899€ | 130€ |
| iPad Air 11″ M4 128GB Wi-Fi | 699€ | 619€ | 80€ |
| AirPods Pro 3 | 299€ | 239€ | 60€ |
| AirPods Max USB-C | 579€ | 519€ | 60€ |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 49mm | 899€ | 839€ | 60€ |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB | 1.449€ | 1.399€ | 50€ |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | 199€ | 179€ | 20€ |
Actual prices published in macysdigital.com in April 2026, subject to availability and the offers in force at the time.
An honest warning: For certain specific models (such as the standard iPhone 17 Pro or the Apple Watch Series 11 42mm), the prices at Macy’s Digital are very similar to those on Apple Spain’s official channel. The IGIC saving on these products is absorbed into the retailer’s margin. Shop in Tenerife if you value in-person service, a local warranty or the option to combine with other products on offer — don’t assume that everyone The products will work out cheaper for you.
These savings also apply to other brands sold on the island – Samsung, Xiaomi, JBL, Bose, Marshall, GoPro, Insta360, Kindle and PocketBook – although the difference compared with the mainland depends very much on the product and the time of year.
The sweet spot It’s the products priced between €200 and €430, where you can benefit from tax savings whilst staying within the duty-free allowance for your return journey.
Where to buy electronics in the south of Tenerife
The longest-established electronics shop in the tourist areas of southern Tenerife is Macys Digital, located in the Parque Santiago 3 Shopping Centre in Playa de las Américas. It has been in business since 2009, making it one of the longest-established technology shops on the island.
What makes Macy’s Digital different?
If you’ve ever walked around Playa de las Américas, you’ve probably seen those typical tourist-oriented electronics shops – the ones with pushy salespeople at the door trying to drag you inside with promises of «special offers». Macys Digital is nothing like that.
The shop occupies three units (165, 166 and 167) in Parque Santiago 3 and operates as a specialist electronics retailer: transparent pricing, genuine products and a team who won’t pressure you into buying something you don’t need.
All Apple products feature the Apple’s official worldwide warranty. This means that if something goes wrong with your iPhone or MacBook once you’re back home, you can take it to any authorised Apple service centre anywhere in the world and they’ll repair or replace it under the standard manufacturer’s warranty.
Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands also offer pan-European or international warranty cover. Everything sold includes a minimum 2-year warranty, as required by EU consumer protection legislation.
Brands and products available
Smartphones and tablets Apple (iPhone 17 range, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPhone 16, iPad Air M4, iPad Pro M5) · Samsung (Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Tab) · Xiaomi (Redmi Note 15, POCO, Pad)
Computers MacBook Air M4 and M5 · MacBook Pro M5 · MacBook Pro M5 Pro · Mac mini M4 Pro · iMac
Audio AirPods (4, 4 ANC, Pro 3, Max) · Beats (Studio, Solo, Powerbeats Pro 2) · JBL (speakers and headphones) · Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 · Xiaomi Redmi Buds · Bose · Marshall · Harman Kardon
Wearables Apple Watch (Series 11, SE 3, Ultra 3) · Samsung Galaxy Watch · Xiaomi Smart Band · Amazfit · Casio
Cameras GoPro (Hero 13 Black) · Insta360 (X5, motorbike kits) · Kodak (PixPro range) · Fujifilm Instax
E-readers Amazon Kindle (Paperwhite, Basic) · PocketBook
Accessories Cases, genuine Apple chargers, cables, screen protectors, power banks, MagSafe accessories, Belkin, Acefast and more
Services that a tourist really needs
This is where the shop makes all the difference for visitors:
Currency exchange Do you need to exchange pounds, dollars or other currencies? They offer a currency exchange service in-store, so you can sort out your money matters and buy your tech in a single visit.
SIM cards for tourists Stay connected whilst on holiday with a local SIM card. The staff will set it up for you on the spot, so you can leave the shop with internet access straight away.
Mobile phone repairs Has your screen cracked whilst on holiday? They repair iPhones, Samsung phones and other devices, often on the same day. There’s no need to spend your holiday without your mobile.
Screen protectors Have you just bought a new device? Protect it before you leave the shop. Installation is included.
Funding available For large purchases, there are options to pay in instalments.
The team speaks English and Spanish
The staff at Macy’s Digital include native speakers of both English and Spanish, which is essential in an area with so much international tourism. You can ask detailed questions about specifications, compatibility, warranties or whatever else you need without any language barrier.
How to get to the shop
Macys Digital is located inside the shopping centre Santiago Park 3, on the main avenue in Playa de las Américas.
Address: Avenida de Las Américas, CC Parque Santiago 3, Units 165–167, 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 literally just down the road. From most hotels in Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, it’s a short walk or a quick taxi ride along the main avenue. TITSA buses serve the entire south coast and stop nearby.
Opening hours:
| Day | Timetable |
|---|---|
| Monday – Saturday | 10:15 – 21:30 |
| Sunday | 12:00 – 14:30 |
| Online shop | 09:00 – 22:00 every day |
Contact: Telephone: +34 603 116 005 · Fixed: +34 922 792 693 · Website: macysdigital.com
Does the warranty apply outside Tenerife?
This is the question buyers ask most often, and the answer is clear.
Apple products: They come with Apple’s official worldwide warranty. If you encounter any problems once you’re back in your home country, simply take your device to any Apple Store or authorised service centre worldwide. Same warranty, same service, no questions asked.
Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands: They come with a pan-European or international warranty. You’ll be covered at any authorised service centre in your country.
All products include a minimum of 2-year warranty in accordance with EU consumer legislation. There are no refurbished devices or grey imports; everything is original and genuine.
Always keep your receipt. This is your proof of purchase and warranty document.
Customs: what can you bring back?
The Canary Islands are outside the EU’s VAT territory, so there are customs allowances you need to bear in mind when flying back.
Travelling to an EU country
The duty-free allowance for air travellers arriving from the Canary Islands is €430 per person. In practice:
- AirPods Pro 3 (€239) → covered by the excess without any problem, no surcharge
- iPad Air 11″ M4 (€619) → exceeds the individual excess; with a couple’s policy, there is no surcharge
- 13-inch MacBook Air M4 (€969) → exceeds the individual excess; the couple covers a large part of it
- iPhone 17 Pro Max (€1,399) → it far exceeds the excess; the excess charge cancels out the initial saving, except where a couple’s strategy is used
Tip for couples or families: Each person has their own €430 allowance. A couple buying a 13-inch 256GB MacBook Air M4 (€969) can split the cost: €430 against one person’s allowance + €539 against the other’s. Only €109 exceeds the second person’s allowance, resulting in a duty charge of around €23, leaving a net saving of around €207 compared to the Apple Spain price.
Travelling to mainland Spain
The same rules apply. The allowance is €430 per person, and VAT at 21% is payable on any amount exceeding this. For items costing up to €430 (AirPods, Apple Watch SE, Kindle, accessories), the saving is straightforward and complete.
Travelling to the United Kingdom
Following Brexit, the UK allows £390 per person tax-free from abroad. If you exceed the threshold, you will pay 20% VAT on the excess.
Practical advice on customs
- Keep the receipt Customs officers may ask you for proof of purchase and the price paid
- Open and use the product If you’re wearing your new Apple Watch or listening to your AirPods on the plane, they’re clearly items for personal use
- Don’t try to hide your purchases It is rarely worth the risk, given the small amount of tax involved
- Think about what you’re replacing If you arrive with an old mobile and leave with a new one, it’s clearly an upgrade for personal use, not a commercial import
Is it worth buying electronics in Tenerife?
For many visitors, yes, but not for all products in the same way. A quick guide to making a decision based on actual prices:
Where the savings are very significant MacBook Air M4 and M5 (between €230 and €360 cheaper than at Apple Spain), iPhone 17 256GB (€130 cheaper), iPad Air M4 (€80 cheaper). If you’re planning to buy one of these, shopping in Tenerife is clearly the better deal — especially if you use a ‘couple’s strategy’ to minimise import duties.
Where the savings are modest but real AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max, Apple Watch Ultra 3 (€60 off each). As they cost less than €430, they qualify for duty-free status without any issues and you get the full saving.
Where the savings are small iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (€50 off), AirPods 4 with ANC (€20 off), Apple Watch SE 3. Buy them if you fancy, but that’s not the main reason to come.
Where you simply don’t save anything significant Standard iPhone 17 Pro, Apple Watch Series 11 42mm. Prices at Macy’s are very similar to those on Apple Spain’s official website. The IGIC tax on these models is absorbed within the distributor’s margin.
Over €1,000 Do the maths first. The absolute savings are greater, but so is the risk of customs duties. For visitors from the EU, the figures usually add up when travelling as a couple. For visitors from the UK, the lower threshold (£390) means that customs duties could eat into the savings.
Beyond the price, there’s the experience. You can hold the product in your hands, ask questions, compare options with someone who knows the range, set up your device on the spot, protect it with a screen protector and even get a local SIM card – all in a single visit. No online shop can offer you that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Apple Store in Tenerife?
No. There is no official Apple Store in the Canary Islands. Macys Digital in Playa de las Américas is the most established alternative, offering the full range of genuine Apple products with an official worldwide warranty.
Do products from Tenerife work in the rest of Spain and Europe?
Yes. All products are EU/international models, identical to those sold on the Spanish mainland and throughout Europe. The chargers use the standard European plug (Type C/F).
Is the IGIC already included in the price I see in the shop?
Yes. All prices in shops in the Canary Islands already include the 7% IGIC. What you see on the price tag is what you pay — there are no hidden taxes when you get to the till.
Will I save money on any product I buy?
Not necessarily. The savings depend on the product and the retailer. On the MacBook Air, AirPods Pro 3 and some iPhone models, the savings are very significant. On others (the standard iPhone 17 Pro, Apple Watch Series 11), the prices are very similar to those on Apple Spain’s official channel. Always check the current price before buying.
Can I buy online and collect in-store?
Yes. You can view the full catalogue at macysdigital.com and arrange for collection from the shop in Playa de las Américas.
What happens if my device develops a fault after I’ve left Tenerife?
Apple products are covered by a worldwide warranty — visit any Apple Store or authorised service centre. Other brands have a pan-European warranty and can be repaired at authorised service centres in your country of residence.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. Visa, Mastercard and other international cards. They also offer a currency exchange service in-store for those who prefer to pay in cash.
Are you planning to buy electronics during your visit to Tenerife? Take a look at the full catalogue at macysdigital.com or pop into the shop at Parque Santiago 3, Playa de las Américas. The staff speak Spanish and English and will be delighted to help you find what you need.