New cruise ship licenses at ports in Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro: what changes in 2026

Key data

Companies that operate —or want to operate— cruise services at the Canary Islands ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Santa Cruz de La Palma and La Estaca (El Hierro) have a new regulatory framework as of July 31, 2026. The Resolution of June 30, 2026 from the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife publishes the Regulations governing the granting of licenses and the provision of port services to cruise passengers.

Its publication in the BOE is mandatory in accordance with Article 113.5 of the Consolidated Text of the State Ports Law. The document was favorably reported by State Ports, with modifications incorporated in regulations 16, 17, 21 and 22 of the Regulations.

What does this regulation establish?

The Regulations define the complete framework for the provision of port services to cruise passengers: from who can operate to what type of license is needed depending on the type of terminal in which they work.

The three types of licenses

Ports included in the scope of application

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• San Sebastián de La Gomera
• Santa Cruz de La Palma
• La Estaca (El Hierro)

Services covered by the Regulations

The port service to cruise passengers comprises two main activities:

• Boarding and disembarking of passengers from cruise ships
• Baggage management associated with these operations

Regulations modified by State Ports

The favorable report from State Ports incorporated specific changes to four regulations:

• Regulation 16
• Regulation 17
• Regulation 21
• Regulation 22

Economic and operational impact

The approval of these Regulations has direct consequences on the operations and costs of any company that provides or wants to provide services to cruise passengers at these four ports:

• Obligation to obtain prior license: You cannot operate without obtaining the license corresponding to the type of terminal. Operating without it constitutes non-compliance with the State Ports Law.
• Accreditation of human and material resources: Companies requesting an open license or one linked to a public-use terminal must demonstrate they have the necessary resources. Only companies operating under self-provision (license restricted to private-use terminal) are exempt from this requirement.
• Legal certainty for current operators: The Regulations clarify the framework for operations and reduce uncertainty for companies already present at these ports, which must verify whether their current license complies with the new categories.
• Opportunity for new entrants: The existence of licenses open to general use facilitates new operators' access to the market without needing to own a terminal under concession.

Who does it affect?

• Companies operating cruise port services already active at the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Santa Cruz de La Palma or La Estaca (El Hierro)
• Companies wanting to enter the market for cruise passenger services at these Canary Islands ports
• Concessionaires of public-use terminals that provide or subcontract services to cruise passengers
• Owners of private-use terminals that operate under self-provision
• Shipping companies and maritime agents that coordinate cruise operations at these ports and depend on licensed ground operators
• Legal advisors and consultants that assist port operators in licensing processes

Practical example

A port handling company that currently provides passenger boarding and disembarking services at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife without being linked to any concessioned terminal must request an open license for general use, the first of the three categories in the Regulations.

To obtain it, the company will have to demonstrate to the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife that it has the human and material resources required by the Regulations. If that same company wanted to expand its operations to the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma —also dependent on this Port Authority—, the same Regulations would apply, so the license management would be processed under the same regulatory framework.

In contrast, a shipping company that manages its own private-use terminal at La Estaca (El Hierro) and serves only its own ships could opt for the self-provision regime (restricted license), being exempt from the requirement to accredit human and material resources to the Port Authority.

What should companies do now?

1. Review whether your current activity requires a license: If you provide or plan to provide boarding, disembarking or baggage management services for cruise passengers at any of the four affected ports, you need a license under these Regulations.
2. Identify what type of license applies to you: Determine whether you operate in general-use facilities, in a concessioned public-use terminal or in a private-use terminal. The type of terminal defines the license category you must request.
3. Verify if you meet the resource requirements: Except in the case of self-provision, you will have to accredit human and material resources. Review what the Regulations require on this point and compare it with your current situation.
4. Consult regulations 16, 17, 21 and 22: These are the ones that were modified by State Ports. Pay special attention to their content, as they are the ones that changed from the initial draft.
5. Contact the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: To initiate the license application process or to resolve questions about adapting existing licenses to the new framework.
6. Seek legal advice if you manage concessions or terminals: If you are the holder of a public-use terminal concession, the linked license regime has specific implications that should be analyzed with a specialist in port law.

Official source

View complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16721