Royal Decree-Law 6/2025 Canary Islands: what changes for developers and cooperatives

Key data

Developers, landowners and cooperatives operating in the Canary Islands face regulatory changes with immediate effect from December 15, 2025. The Royal Decree-Law 6/2025 modifies two key regional laws through the urgent procedure, meaning its application does not await any additional formalities.

The regulation acts on the Law 4/2017, of July 13, on Land and Protected Natural Areas of the Canary Islands and on the Law 4/2022, of October 31, on Cooperative Societies of the Canary Islands. Two regulatory frameworks that affect sectors with significant economic activity in the archipelago.

What does this regulation establish?

The decree-law introduces modifications in two separate blocks:

Block 1: Law on Land and Protected Natural Areas of the Canary Islands (Law 4/2017)

Aspects of classification, use or urban planning procedures are adjusted urgently. Law 4/2017 is the general framework that regulates how land is classified in the Canary Islands, what uses are permissible and how urban planning procedures are processed. The modifications introduced by this decree-law affect those elements with immediate effect.

Block 2: Law on Cooperative Societies of the Canary Islands (Law 4/2022)

Elements of the corporate regime applicable in the archipelago are updated. Law 4/2022 regulates the internal functioning of Canary Islands cooperatives: their establishment, bodies, responsibilities and operations. The changes introduced may affect bylaws, internal procedures or operational requirements.

The decree-law procedure implies that the Government of the Canary Islands has found urgency and extraordinary necessity. The regulation takes effect from its approval on December 15, 2025, although it must be ratified by the Canary Islands Parliament. Non-ratification could render the changes void, but until that time they are fully applicable.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is concentrated on two fronts:

Real estate and developer sector: Any modification in land classification or urban planning procedures has direct consequences on the viability of projects in progress or in the planning phase. A change in the classification of a plot can alter the permitted uses, building potential or processing times for licenses.

Cooperative sector: Canary Islands cooperatives must verify whether changes in the corporate regime of Law 4/2022 require them to modify bylaws, adapt governance bodies or update internal procedures. Failure to do so can create situations of formal non-compliance with consequences for their operations or relationship with the administration.

In both cases, the main risk is not only direct economic, but operational: stalled projects, invalidated procedures or bylaws that do not comply with current regulations.

Who does it affect?

• Real estate developers with projects in progress or in planning in the Canary Islands
• Landowners in the archipelago, especially if they have land in the process of classification or reclassification
• Cooperative entities established or in the process of establishment under Law 4/2022 of the Canary Islands
• Local administrations in the Canary Islands that process urban planning files affected by Law 4/2017
• Legal advisors and consultants providing services to any of the above groups in the Canary Islands
• Investors with positions in land or real estate assets in the archipelago

Practical example

A real estate developer has a license application in progress for a residential development in the Canary Islands, based on the current urban classification under Law 4/2017. With the entry into force of Royal Decree-Law 6/2025 on December 15, 2025, the adjustments introduced in terms of classification or procedures may directly affect the file in progress.

If the changes modify the processing requirements or permitted uses for that type of land, the developer will need to review whether its file complies with the new regulation or if it needs to adapt the documentation submitted. Failure to do so could result in delays, administrative requests or, in the worst case, invalidation of procedures already completed.

Similarly, a housing cooperative established in the Canary Islands under Law 4/2022 must review whether the changes in the corporate regime introduced by this decree-law affect its bylaws or internal functioning, and act before the situation of formal non-compliance becomes consolidated.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you operate in the Canary Islands in any of the affected sectors: real estate development, land ownership or cooperative activity. If so, this regulation affects you from December 15, 2025.
2. Review urban planning files in progress to verify whether changes in Law 4/2017 affect classifications, uses or procedures underway. Prioritize the most advanced files.
3. Audit the cooperative's bylaws if you are a Canary Islands cooperative entity. Compare the current corporate regime with the changes introduced in Law 4/2022 and identify any misalignments.
4. Consult with a legal advisor specialized in Canary Islands urban planning or cooperative law to determine the specific scope of changes to your particular situation.
5. Follow the parliamentary ratification process. If the Canary Islands Parliament does not ratify the decree-law, the changes would be void. Monitor the status of the proceedings to anticipate scenarios.
6. Document the decisions made based on the new regulation, especially if bylaws are modified or files are adapted, to demonstrate diligence in compliance.