19 Apr La Palma Reconstruction – March 2026
La Palma’s Reconstruction: March 2026 Update
News roundup from across La Palma regarding science occurring in La Palma, reconstruction efforts, aid provided to residents and industries, and other relevant news. Links to source articles are hyperlinked in taglines for each article.
Sources for all reconstruction updates: La Palma Ahora, Cabildo de La Palma, El Time, ABC España, El Valle de Aridane, El Dia, Mirame, Planeta Canario, Canarias 7, El Diario, National Geographic, El Pais, El Apurón, Diario La Palma
Reconstruction
- Puerto Naos and La Bombilla returns latest – Three new commercial premises have been authorised for return in Puerto Naos, with 994 homes in Puerto Naos and 51 in La Bombilla already authorised. The Cabildo have also recently expanded the green and orange zones to better reflect the situation in different parts of these towns. A motion has also been proposed for a line of aid to fix ongoing damage in Puerto Naos, such as many of the elevators being out of service due to being abandoned for many years. So far, PEINPAL have put 22 elevators into service.
- La Palma demands the state to approve Canary Islands reconstruction decree – La Palma Island Council have supported an initiative from the Canary Islands Government for the state to draft a royal-decree law of urgent measures to aid the reconstruction of La Palma, such as guaranteeing the continuation of the 60% income tax reduction and payment of further reconstruction funds to the island.
- Protected spaces in the reconstruction – Politicians have called on the Government of the Canary Islands to be transparent and release the full file relating to the recent declaration of the areas surrounding Tajogaite as a protected space, which caused a lot of debate. Another politician has asked that the protection of land must be done in a way which is compatible with the progress of those affected by the eruption.
The new map of the Tajogaite protected area: 309 hectares of volcanic “heritage”. El Time (2026).
- Public consultation for national park expansion – The Canary Islands Government have released the draft bill for the expansion of the Cumbre Vieja national park, to include the volcanic cone of Tajogaite and parts of the lava flows and lava deltas (310 hectares), out for public comment. The public have 20 days to submit any questions, comments or allegations. Tierra Bonita have submitted objections to the bill, saying it omits guarantees for those affected, among other issues. A new map of the proposed protected area has been shared by the Canary Islands Government.
- La Laguna residents’ association regrets school demolition – The residents’ association of La Laguna regrets that the reconstruction of the infant school in La Laguna, heavily damaged by the eruption, has involved its full demolition, instead of incorporating the small blue building which survived. The building became a symbol of resistance, and they argue had sentimental and historical value. The reconstruction of the school is slated to be finished by September, in time for the new school year.
- Two-year extension for Tazacorte reconstruction – The Spanish Government has granted a two-year extension to complete reconstruction work of infrastructures. The original deadline, in December 2025, has been extended until the end of 2027. The Spanish Government has paid 100% of the funding committed to Tazacorte for the projects including roads, water supply and sanitation projects, totally €4.6 million for 50% of the costs.
- Tender for new recycling centre – A €375,000 tender for a new recycling centre in Los Llanos has been released, after the previous facility in the municipality was destroyed during the eruption.
Aid
- Aid for self-employed workers – The Commissioner for the Reconstruction of La Palma, Héctor Izquierdo held a meeting to understand the continued aid requirements for self-employed workers affected by the eruption.
- Supreme Court studies appeal against reconstruction subsidy – The Supreme Court is studying an appeal launched by the Government of Canary Islands, against a Superior Court of Justice ruling in favor of a subsidy of €322,000 for Los Llanos de Aridane to repair damage from the volcano.
- Current total of funds from the state – Senator Kilian Sánchez, representing La Palma, has said that in total the Government of Spain has given €1.24 billion to La Palma for its reconstruction, so far.
- Recovery contributions from the Canary Islands Government – The PSOE party in Los Llanos has demanded the Canary Islands Government pay the pending 25% contribution towards the cost of infrastructure recovery in the municipality. For these payments, the Spanish Government has paid its 50% contirbution on time and in full where commitments have been signed.
- Aid extension for farmers affected by the volcano – The European Commission have approved a request to extend the support measures for affected farmers included in the POSEI programme.
- More than half of second home aid payments processed – The second payment order for aid for the loss of second homes or holiday homes during the 2021 eruption has been issues. This brings the total of second home aid payments processed to 300, over half of those lost to the volcano.
The Supreme Court will study the Government’s appeal regarding the €322,000 subsidy to Los Llanos due to the volcano. El Time (2026).
Science
- Demands for more transparency from INVOLCAN – Tierra Bonita have submitted formal requests for access to public information to the president of Tenerife Island Council, demanding INVOLCAN publish the data from its volcano monitoring network with free and open access, as it is financed through public funds. IGN already publish live seismicity and deformation data on their web portal.
- Study reveals public confusion about Civil Protection messages – A study by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) has shown that a portion of the Canary Islands population is confused when interpreting the various warnings and messages issued by institutions in emergency situations such as adverse weather events, highlighting a need to improve them. These results and methods can also be applied to other emergency contexts, such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
- La Palma hosts new International Volcanology Course – La Palma will host a new edition of the Olot – La Palma International Volcanology Course in October. It is organised by Geosciences Barcelona, Olot City Council, Cabildo de La Palma and the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, and is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students.
La Palma acoge una nueva edición del Curso Internacional de Vulcanología Olot – La Palma. El Time (2026).
Other updates
- Those affected offer advice on preparation for Tenerife – 8 associations in La Palma, representing those affected by the eruption, have presented a series of recommendations to the population and authorities of Tenerife with the aim of preventing the mistakes in the prevention and management of Tajogaite from being repeated.
- Las Manchas proposed as a tourist information point – A local councilor has proposed making Casa de Camineros in Las Manchas a tourist information point for seeing the volcano, to give people visiting the area a better experience and boost the economic activity of the village. Currently, there is only a tourist information point in El Paso on the other side of the lava flows.
- New film about marine recovery of La Palma – A new film La Palma: Isla Atlántica has been shown in La Palma, directed by renowned underwater cameraman Rafael Herrero Massieu, documenting the marine recovery processes taking place following the 2021 eruption.
La Palma, an Atlantic island, reveals underwater biodiversity and marine regeneration after the Tajogaite. El Time (2026).
- Tourist information centres see record numbers – The tourist information centres on La Palma saw 160,000 people in 2025, representing a record number of visits, up 298% compared with before the pandemic.
- Snow above Tajogaite – Unusually cold weather led to snow settling on the Cumbre Vieja ridge above Tajogaite, which is rare for the island.
- Tajogaite lava flows steam heavily – Intense rainfall from Storm Therese caused intense steaming of the Tajogaite lava flows, a reminder of the high temperatures that remain in the interiors of the flows.
- Los Llanos de Aridane supports short film on reconstruction – Los Llanos de Aridane City Council has joined the new short film ‘Kipuka’ as a sponsor and collaborator. The film explores displacement, memory and emotional reconstruction following the eruption.
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