British expats in Spain benefitting from 75% flight discount in major travel boost

Brits living in Spain can access a whopping 75% discount on flights and some baggage costs. The perk is available for expats to travel from the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands to the Spanish mainland.

As it's often cheaper to book a return flight from the UK to Tenerife or Majorca than it is from those islands to Madrid or Barcelona, it's hoped the scheme will reduce costs for residents who need to travel for professional or personal reasons. As reported by The Local, the discount, known as the descuento de residente de islas, was launched for Canary residents in 1994 and in the Balearics in 1997. A bill was also recently approved to give a further €319million (£268million) to compensate airlines.

However, there are concerns that some foreigners are illegally benefitting from the 75% discount. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, there is sometimes confusion between temporary and permanent residence status.

Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba association of travel agencies in the Balearics, claims that some foreigners are illegally claiming the 75% discount because of misinformation from officials who issue the residency certificates. A number of local travel organisations are working to try and resolve the issue.

Fiol said: "It is illegal and represents fraud against the public coffers." He added: "If controls were tightened, denying boarding to passengers who have a discount they're not entitled to, we would deter 'confused' offenders."

He explained how British expats who have permanent residence in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are entitled to the 75% discount.

However, people with a temporary NIE, the official Spanish identification for foreigners, are not entitled to the discount.

Despite his concerns, Mr Fiol said the travel deal should be available to temporary residents. He said: "They work and contribute here. They should have the same rights as everyone else."

The discount is available for all airlines operating flights between the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands to mainland Spain. Travellers can opt for the deal while booking online by ticking a box to confirm that it applies to them.