The Governing Council of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has given the go-ahead to the General Budget project for the 2026 fiscal year, which amounts to 221,114,397.67 euros in its initial budget and reaches 289.7 million euros in the consolidated budget, that is, counting the autonomous bodies dependent on the First Corporation.
These accounts, which represent a 5.72% increase compared to the previous year, have been designed under criteria of maximum solvency, technical rigor, and an unwavering commitment to guaranteeing budget execution. The document is born with the aim of being the engine of transformation for Lanzarote and La Graciosa, thus continuing the path initiated in 2023.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, affirmed that "this budget puts people at the center of our government's action: it promotes public housing, protects those who need it most, improves essential services, and bets on a future with more opportunities for everyone." "These accounts," Betancort stressed, "continue on the path of improving the quality of life in every corner of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, focusing on the main demands of the citizens, such as housing, the modernization of the integral water cycle, the improvement of public transport, and the protection of our territory."For her part, the vice-president and minister of Finance and Contracting, María Jesús Tovar, stressed that the solidity of this budget "is the result of prudent and realistic economic management." "The letters to the Three Wise Men of years ago are behind us, and we can proudly say that we have always worked on absolutely realistic accounts, which respond to the main demands of the citizens, such as the increase in socio-sanitary places; housing and, as a whole, to the improvement of the quality of life of the residents of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, reinforcing public services and strategic investments," she added.The counselor Armando Santana asserted for his part that these budgets "are essential for the development of the society of Lanzarote and La Graciosa". "They are accounts focused on the needs of the inhabitants and that make people happier," he explained
Housing, the main bet for 2026
In line with the reality that Lanzarote and La Graciosa are experiencing with respect to the housing crisis that generally affects the entire State, the island council has made a firm commitment to increase the allocations for housing. So much so that, compared to the 2025 fiscal year, it has gone from 1.5 euros allocated to the Social Housing Observatory to more than 7 million euros, which represents an increase of 369.79%In this regard, an initial allocation of 1 million euros is contemplated for rent subsidies, through an agreement with the Canary Islands Housing Institute (ICAVI), as well as another allocation of 400,000 euros for rent assistance due to eviction for vulnerable familiesLikewise, this budget also contemplates the contribution of ICAVI, for the amount of €5,537,657.94, intended for the acquisition of 76 homes in Playa Blanca with the aim of increasing the public housing stock under affordable rental schemes. To this amount will be added another 5.5 million euros that the Cabildo will incorporate for this purpose through surplus, which will raise the allocation for the purchase of housing to €11 million
“The investment effort that we are going to undertake this year is in line with the actions we have already carried out from the Cabildo with the purchase of the first 42 homes in the town of Playa Blanca and the acquisition of three plots of land, two in Arrecife and one in Uga,” detailed Oswaldo Betancort.
Social Welfare: People at the center of our policies
One more year, the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion stands as one of the fundamental pillars of the island's management under the concept of the "Island of Care," with a budget of 50 million euros that will allow us to fulfill the commitments made in terms of equal opportunities and social protection.
In this way, prevention and mental health promotion actions are reinforced, especially aimed at the young population, and the cross-cutting approach of social inclusion is consolidated, coordinating actions between the different areas of the Cabildo for its implementation in cultural, sports, social, and administrative activities. In addition, 6 million euros are allocated to minors and more than 1.7 million for the management of victims of gender violence.Therapeutic activities in aquatic environments are also maintained, and policies aimed at older adults are reinforced through the island project +VITAL, expanding actions related to physical activity, healthy nutrition, socialization, and cognitive stimulation. Likewise, in the area of Dependency, the necessary credits are maintained to cover said services, increasing places and continuing with the execution of infrastructures such as the Tahiche Senior Residence, with an investment of around 16 million euros, and the Cáritas Integral Center in Altavista, to which 10 million euros are allocated
More than six million for the Municipal Cooperation Plans
Fulfilling the commitment that was acquired last fiscal year with all the city councils, in these accounts we are betting on the strategy of the Municipal Cooperation Plans, allocating more than 6 million euros to finance municipal projects
It should be recalled that the 2025 funding, exceptionally and with the approval of all town councils, was allocated to the construction of the Tahíche High-Dependency Residence, which is already underway; a socio-health infrastructure demanded for decades, paralyzed by the previous government, and which is a priority for the care of the elderly and dependent people of the two islands.
The 6,392,552 euros will be distributed equitably and fairly among the seven town halls based on the population of each of themLikewise, and responding to the strategy of consolidating the territory and improving public services on the islands, investment in public infrastructure and the island road network also increases. The Public Works Area experiences a growth of 17.15% compared to the previous year, reaching 15.2 million euros, and among which is included the one million euros allocated to the Los Hervideros road
Investments in the improvement of the integral water cycle
The guarantee of water remains a strategic priority for the present and future of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. This year, the island government intensifies its efforts to strengthen the integral water cycle, promoting works that ensure the reliability of supply, reduce network losses, advance in purification, and modernize essential infrastructures for the well-being of citizens and the sustainable economic development of our islands
“It is not only about managing water but about protecting a vital resource, guaranteeing basic rights, and anticipating the climatic and demographic challenges we are already facing. Faced with past inaction or short-term solutions, we are betting on planning, investment, and responsibility,” emphasizes Oswaldo Betancort.
In this regard, the Water Consortium has a budget of 6.18 million euros this year, 4.2% more than in 2025, which reflects a clear and decisive boost to hydraulic investment. To this will be added almost 20 million euros already committed by other administrations, consolidating an institutional alliance that places water policy as the central axis of the progress of Lanzarote and La Graciosa
Direct impulse to the primary sector
In the primary sector, the budget item exceeds 10 million euros, that is 7.31% more with respect to 2025 for the Area of Agriculture and Livestock, thus demonstrating the reinforcement of agricultural infrastructures, support for the island's vineyards and livestock. Furthermore, it should be recalled that the Cabildo has recently allocated 200,000 euros to reduce the cost of agricultural and fishing waterOn the other hand, the economic allocation planned for 2026 guarantees the continuity of policies to support a strategic sector for the economy and identity of Lanzarote and La Graciosa: Fishing. In fact, it should be noted that in this exercise the economic allocation reaches 879,087 euros
An increase in the items of Transport, Energy and Trade
The budget for this fiscal year 2026 has more than 12 million euros allocated to the Transport and Mobility Area, that is, 161.07% more compared to 2025, which significantly reinforces policies aimed at guaranteeing the subsidy of regular transport, the improvement of island mobility, and the consolidation of a public transport model as a real alternative to the use of private vehicles.
In this regard, credits allocated to passenger transport are notably increased, with an additional 6.37 million euros earmarked for the subsidization of free transport, as well as for the improvement and expansion of the island's network of stops and transport infrastructure, promoting more sustainable, accessible, and cohesive territorial mobilityOn the other hand, in terms of Energy, the budgetary allocation amounts to 1.59 million euros, that is 50.37% more than in 2025, linked to the incorporation of funding from the Government of the Canary Islands for actions to improve energy infrastructures, among which is included the project to bury the Playa Blanca and Mácher line.
Regarding the Trade Area, the accounts for the current fiscal year show an increase of 13.94% compared to 2025, reaching one million euros to promote actions aimed at revitalizing commercial activity, strengthening small and medium-sized businesses, and improving competitiveness. Likewise, within the same area, a subsidy of 125,000 euros has been allocated for the promotion and consumption of local fish on both islands.
Youth, Culture, Education, Employment and Sports: key areas for the Government
In the Area of Education, the budget contemplates a sum of 7.5 million euros, that is 8.38% more than last year to boost study grants and university student transport aid, as well as the implementation of success programs like Planéate.
In Culture the budget exceeds 4.9 million euros, which represents an increase of 14.28% compared to the 2025 fiscal year, while in the Youth and Craftsmanship Areas around 2 million euros are contemplated.
Regarding the area of Physical Activity and Sports, it continues to play an essential role in social cohesion, health, and the integration of the population. The programming of actions in collaboration with the city councils through the Insular Sports Council and public-private cooperation will allow for the continued promotion of sports events and activities of insular and international scope.
The total credits allocated to this area grow by 6.58% compared to 2025, reaching 5.8 million euros. A large part of this budget is directed towards actions for the promotion and encouragement of sports, as well as the consolidation of the eight lines of competitive grant programs, the amount of which totals 3 million eurosOn the other hand, these accounts also reflect the commitment to the Employment Area, whose budget amounts to 3.65 million euros, which represents an increase of 2.27% compared to 2025. In this way, the Cabildo thus consolidates the lines of promotion of self-employment and employment for others, support for the creation and consolidation of new business projects, and the development of job-creating programs that improve employability through innovation, labor guidance, and training.
Lanzarote and La Graciosa, safe islands
Regarding the funds allocated to security, it should be noted that the Consortium of Security and Emergencies of Lanzarote approved the budget for this year, which amounts to 9 million euros.This means an increase of 925,000 euros compared to the previous year, a bet whose main objective is the increase in the number of firefighters and the construction of the Tías municipality's fire station, a project that is very close to starting, as well as the remodeling of the La Graciosa heliport.The Consortium of Security and Emergencies continues, likewise, with its policy of collaboration with the town councils, the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands, which have increased their contributions to guarantee efficient operation. In total, current transfers reach 8.47 million euros, including the contribution of the Port Authority of Las Palmas
Islands increasingly clean and well-kept
Regarding the Waste Area, in the budgets of the current fiscal year, an allocation of 11.98 million euros is designated to cover the costs derived from the treatment contract at the Zonzamas Environmental Complex and to advance in new infrastructures linked to the circular economy, highlighting the investment in the new composting plant, the execution of which is ensured through adequate financial planning and the incorporation of affected credits from previous years.
Other items that also experience an increase are those destined for Environment, reaching an amount of 3.33 million euros, 11.03% more than in 2025 and for the Biosphere Reserve, whose item amounts to close to 1 million euros, 2.28% more than last year. With respect to the Area of Territorial Planning, the item reaches 1.4 million euros to give continuity to the completion of all the planning plans that are underway and that were stagnant during the last legislature
Bet on quality tourism
Within the scope of its powers in tourism matters, SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote directs its budgetary planning and execution towards the consolidation of a high value-added tourism model, based on criteria of quality, sustainability, and territorial balance, prioritizing the improvement of the destination's positioning against dynamics of growth linked exclusively to volume
All of this is supported by a 100% budget increase, going from 2.5 million euros to 5 million euros, allowing for the reinforcement of promotion, planning, and destination management policies, as well as advancing with greater solvency in the transformation of the tourist model of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
Regarding the Centers of Art, Culture and Tourism, progress continues in the implementation of the management model focused on improving the quality of the visitor experience and which brought such good economic results in 2024, with a record net profit of 5.6 million euros.
The forecasts for this fiscal year contemplate a budget amounting to 50.9 million euros, within which are included almost 1 million euros for maintenance and conservation of the spaces, 600,000 euros for cultural services and 7.3 million euros for the annual fee to the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the town councils of Haría, Yaiza and Tinajo, among others
