It is now possible for ex-pats and also non residents to get legally married in Gran Canaria without any residency requirements
if anyone would like more details please contact me at

I am sorry but that is not possible. In Spain you must become a resident before becoming married. Tell the Forum how it is because there are no special rules for the Canary Islands.

If anyone reads and looks at Spanish Civil Code regarding marriages, it is legal for non residents to get married in Spain
In every area of Spain, it is how the local councils interpret the Law. In Gran Canaria, we and the lawyers have researched the law and have proof from the courts and also the Registro Civil that it is possible for Non Residents to get Married here.  Weddings in Gran Canaria for anyone are then valid throughout Europe and also Same Sex Marriages in Spain are recognised as Civil Partnerships in the UK as well.

YOU do NOT have to be a resident or have residencia to get married. FACT

revdpaul - 04 December 2007 03:28 PM

If anyone reads and looks at Spanish Civil Code regarding marriages, it is legal for non residents to get married in Spain

Wow, thank you very much for the reply, I did not know. By the way, which paragraph (articulo) says in the Codigo civil that a non resident may marry.

revdpaul - 04 December 2007 03:28 PM

Weddings in Gran Canaria for anyone are then valid throughout Europe and also Same Sex Marriages in Spain are recognised as Civil Partnerships in the UK as well.

I did not say they were not valid throughout Europe. Thank you again for your reply!

Yes you are right, residence is not needed:

“Los extranjeros deben aportar también certificación de inscripción consular, con expresión del domicilio, tiempo de residencia en España y lugar de procedencia del mismo. Además, deberá acreditarse si la Ley personal de su País exige la publicación de edictos al contraer matrimonio civil en España. En algunos casos es necesario aportar certificado de capacidad matrimonial”.

It gets clear now.

I (British citizen) married my husband (Irish citizen) in Malaga in 2002 and we were not resident at that time and had to jump through various hoops but did get married in the local office by the local judge or mayor or some such person!

HOWEVER - upon moving to Madrid we wanted to buy a house together, the Notary (on the day of final singing) said that since we were non resident at the time of our marage they would not recognize our marriage under the laws of Spain and hence we could only be 50/50 owners of the house with either of us having to pay inheritance tax if something were to happen - unlike a married couple where i believe no inheritance would normally be due for the property you live in as man and wife. I never really understood what he meant since we even have a Libro de Familia and a spanish marriage certificate, and with it being the day of signing didn’t want to delay anything. But we are discussing getting some advice and maybe even getting married again but the problem is my husband has diplomatic status and so although i am resident he is not and so we might be left in the same situation, perhaps we have to get married outside of Spain for it to recognised!

Who knows! the joys of living in Spain! Loving every minute of it, there’s a new battle nearly everyday, it can, seriously, ONLY get easier - right?