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No Visa is required for European EU members
Visiting the Canary Islands could´nt be simpler, just jump on a plane, but don´t forget your passport!
A Visa is is required for all other visitors from other nations outside the EEC except Norway and Iceland.
Stay in the Canary Islands for 3+months
For anyone planning on staying more than 3 months after arrival then registering with the local "international" police is required to obtain your NIE "number" (pronounced knee).
You will not get into any trouble if you do not obtain an NIE number but you will find life increasingly difficult unless you do.
more on that shortly.
Technically you must carry your passport with you if you are more than 400 meters from where you are staying.
Spanish Police; Stop and Question tourists
Whilst this law is not strictly enforced for 99% of visitors to the Canary Islands if you are acting in a "suspicious manner" or possibly involved in any kind of trouble involving the police they can, do, and will ask you for your passport, if you do not produce it they may accompany you to where it can be found or you may have to accompany them to the police station