Nomad Watch

Researched Updated Oct 29, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, in the province of Las Palmas, Spain. The island capital is Arrecife. 5 7
Population
166,878 residents in 2025. Arrecife, the capital, was 70,265. 6
Internet Speed
The travel guide lists 5G from MasMovil, Movistar and Orange, and 4G from Vodafone and Telefónica. It does not give an average home-fibre speed. 5
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR). On 19 October 2026 the ECB reference rate was 1 euro = 1.1225 US dollars, so about 1 US dollar = 0.89 euro. Cards are widely accepted. 1 4
Tap Water
Generally safe to drink nationwide; water in southern Spain may have a higher mineral content. Restaurants must offer tap water on request. 4
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F sockets (Europlug and Schuko). 4
SIM Card
Buy a prepaid SIM at an Orange or Movistar shop; identification is usually required. Orange Prepago 10 is 10 euros for 28 days (80 GB with the current extra, 15 GB of EU roaming, SIM or eSIM). Movistar Prepago Plus is 10 euros for 28 days (60 GB) and Prepago Premium is 15 euros for 28 days (240 GB). 2 3 4
Banking for Expats
Revolut, N26, and Bunq are highly recommended for avoid Spanish bureaucracy
Accommodation
Hotels and self-catering apartments are concentrated in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. Guesthouses and hostels are easier to find inland, especially in Arrecife. 5
Cashless Friendly
Most merchants take cards, and towns have ATMs. Some shops ask to see photo identification before taking a card. Bus drivers take cash and give change up to 10 euros. 4 5
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb, Booking.com, and Flatio; average studio €1,100 - €1,500/month
Budget Accommodation
Kalufa Surf Hostel (La Santa) - approx. €25/night for a dorm bed
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise are the purpose-built resorts, on the sheltered southeast coast. 5
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Arrecife has the bus station, the airport nearby and The Square coworking on Calle La Gaviota. Costa Teguise is the nearest large resort to the north. 5 11

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
The Square, Calle La Gaviota 3, Arrecife, in the pedestrian centre. A listing gives a day pass of 20 euros, a flexible desk at 75 euros a week and a dedicated desk at 175 euros a month. The listing gives hours of 08:00–16:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00–15:00 Friday. 12
Best Cafe for Work
Star City Coffee & Deli (Arrecife - 17th floor of Gran Hotel) for views and Wi-Fi
Networking Events
Lanzarote Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups at Charco de San Ginés
Social Events for Expats
Weekly 'Intercambio' language exchanges at various bars in Costa Teguise

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
There is no Uber. Taxis use meters, with fixed prices on common routes. Hail a cab with the green roof light on. 5
Bike/Scooter Rental
Planet Bikes (Costa Teguise) - Road bikes approx. €25/day
Best Beach Nearby
Playa de Famara (surfing) or Playa Papagayo (scenic/swimming) 5 33
Top Regional Airline
Binter Canarias or Canaryfly for inter-island flights 7
Top International Airline
César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, about 5 km west of Arrecife, has budget flights from across Europe and domestic flights from mainland Spain. Inter-island flights use Terminal 2. 5 7
Highway Access
The LZ-1 runs from Arrecife to Órzola in the north. The LZ-2 runs from Arrecife to Playa Blanca in the south. The LZ-3 is the Arrecife ring road. 7
Main Train/Transit Hub
There is no train. Estación de Guaguas, Rambla Medular, Arrecife, is the island bus station. Most lines start or end there. 5 7 10 26
Public Transport Passes
The visitor Bono General is a 2 euro card with a 10 percent discount and top-ups from 5 to 50 euros. A Lanzarote resident card is 20 percent off. The Canary resident pass is free if you make 15 trips a quarter, otherwise 20 euros for 30 days. Some resident cards discount 30, 50 or 60 percent. 10
Regional Travel
Ferries from Playa Blanca reach Corralejo on Fuerteventura in about 30 minutes. Longer sailings from Arrecife port go to Gran Canaria, Tenerife and mainland Spain. 5

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
The public hospital is Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, Carretera Arrecife-Tinajo km 1.3, switchboard 928 595 000. The private Hospiten Lanzarote is in Puerto del Carmen, Camino Lomo Gordo, phone 928 596 100. 22 23
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Lanzarote Yoga (Costa Teguise) - Drop-in classes approx. €15
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Sports Center Puerto del Carmen - Full gym and pool access approx. €50/month
Laundry Services
Lavanderia Arrecife (Self-service) - €5 per wash

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Glovo and UberEats (Available mostly in Arrecife and tourist hubs)
Best Local Dish to Try
Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkly potatoes with spicy sauce) 5
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Vegetarian and vegan choices are easy to find in the main resorts. 5
Best Dessert Spots
Pastelería Jonay (San Bartolomé) for traditional Canarian pastries
Affordable Shopping Spots
Lidl and HiperDino are the largest supermarkets and usually the best value. Fruit grown in the Canaries, such as papaya, bananas and avocado, is cheaper than produce shipped from the mainland. 5
E-commerce/Online Store
Amazon.es (Note: customs delays can occur due to Canary Island tax status)
Grocery Delivery
Mercadona Online - Delivery fee approx. €7.21
Bar/Nightlife Area
Standalone bars are in the beach resorts. Cafes elsewhere also sell alcohol. 5
Local Brewery
Cerveza Nao (Arrecife) - Craft brewery with tasting room near the harbor
Wine Bars
El Grifo, in the La Geria protected landscape, has made wine since 1775, including Malvasía Volcánica. Vineyards run from San Bartolomé toward Yaiza, with half-moon stone walls around the vines. 24 5
Street Food Stalls
The best-known market is the Teguise Sunday market. Extra buses run that day from Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. 5
Popular International Cuisine
Many places serve what visitors eat at home: pizza, Chinese, Indian, and fish and chips. 5

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Timanfaya National Park, entered at Montañas del Fuego. The adult ticket is 30 euros, children from birth to age 6 are free, and the ticket is bought online for a date and time. Hours are 09:00 to 15:45. 8 5 32
Museums & Art Venues
MIAC, the contemporary art museum, is in Castillo de San José on Carretera de los Castillos in Arrecife. 5 34
Historical Sites
Castillo de Santa Bárbara is in Villa de Teguise, the former capital. Cueva de los Verdes, north of Arrieta, is a lava-tunnel show cave. Tickets for the cave are online only, for a date and time. 5 30 8
Religious Sites
Iglesia de San Ginés de Clermont stands on Calle San Juan in the centre of Arrecife. 29
Annual Events
Carnival falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, usually late February, and many towns hold one. Ironman Lanzarote is in May, based at Club La Santa. The Romería de la Virgen de los Dolores is the Saturday closest to 15 September, toward the church in Mancha Blanca. 5
Cultural Districts
Villa de Teguise, the former capital, has cobbled streets. Haría is the main town in the green north, with the house of César Manrique and Mirador del Río nearby. 5
Theater Venues
Jameos del Agua, on the LZ-1 in Haría, is one of the island art and tourism centres, set in a volcanic tube. 5 31
Local Markets
Mercadillo de Teguise (Sundays) - Largest outdoor market on the island 5
Music Scene
Doblón Lanzarote (Arrecife) for live music and DJs
Street Art
Murals near the Marina Lanzarote and Arrecife harbor areas
Cooking Classes
Finca de Arrieta offers Canarian cooking workshops seasonally
Art Galleries
Fundación César Manrique, Calle Mario Andrade, Tahíche, is his former house and studio inside volcanic chambers, north of Costa Teguise. 5 27
Historic Buildings
Casa Amarilla (Arrecife) - Traditional administrative building turned museum
Local Heritage
The architectural legacy of César Manrique (Integrating nature and art) 5

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
La Graciosa, in the Chinijo archipelago, is about 30 minutes by ferry from Órzola. You return the same way. 5
National Parks Nearby
Timanfaya National Park covers the 1730s lava fields. The Montañas del Fuego visit is 30 euros for an adult, free for children from birth to age 6, and the ticket is bought online for a date and time. Usual approaches are Yaiza and Mancha Blanca. The Chinijo islets, including La Graciosa, lie off the north coast. 8 5 32
Cycling/Walking Paths
Cyclists may use almost all asphalted roads, except a few sections of the LZ-1 and LZ-2 that have frontage roads. Mountain bikes must stay on marked trails. Camino Risco Famara runs north from Famara village under the cliffs. 5
Scenic Viewpoints
Mirador del Río, on the LZ-203 in Haría, is a César Manrique lookout excavated into the cliff. The adult ticket is 9 euros. Hours are 10:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:40. Children under 7 are free. 9 28
Birdwatching Locations
The houbara bustard lives on the island and forages on the ground, hiding in bushes. 5
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Strictly prohibited in most areas; permitted only in designated BBQs like Bosquecillo

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
Correos (National Post) and SEUR (Private courier)
Tech Repair Services
Informática Lanzarote (Arrecife) for laptop/phone repairs
Table Tennis Spots
Ciudad Deportiva Lanzarote (Arrecife) - Public sports facilities
Language Classes
LanzaSidiomas (Arrecife) - Spanish intensive courses
Libraries & Study Spots
Biblioteca Municipal de Arrecife - Quiet workspace with Wi-Fi
Community Centers
Centro Cívico Arrecife for local workshops and meetings
Gaming Lounges
Limited specialized lounges; mostly local gaming corners in malls like Deiland
Casino & Gaming Halls
Gran Casino Lanzarote, Avenida de las Playas 12, Puerto del Carmen. Phone 928 515 000. 25

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000 in Arrecife harbor)
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €96,000 in inland villages)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000)
Corporate Tax
The general corporation-tax rate is 25 percent. Authorised Canary Special Zone entities pay 4 percent on profits from operations carried out in the Canary Islands. 16 15 36
Dividend Withholding Tax
Dividends are savings income: 19 percent on the first 6,000 euros, 21 percent to 50,000 euros, 23 percent to 200,000 euros, 27 percent to 300,000 euros, and 30 percent above that. Dividends paid to non-residents are generally withheld at 19 percent. 13
Tax System
Residents pay Spanish income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents pay tax on Spanish-source income only. Residence is 183 days in the year, or the centre of vital interests. 13 35
Highest Income Tax Bracket
The 2026 national withholding guideline reaches 47 percent above 300,000 euros. The Spain tax profile records an effective top near 54 percent in the highest-tax regions; combined marginal rates vary by autonomous community. 13
VAT
The Canary Islands do not charge mainland VAT. The local sales tax is IGIC. The published general rate is 7 percent since 1 January 2020, with a zero rate, a 3 percent reduced rate, and higher rates of 9.5 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent. 19 18
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. Spanish rules can tax a foreign company when Spanish residents hold over 50 percent and the foreign tax is under 75 percent of the Spanish tax. 17
Property Tax
IBI is an annual municipal tax on owning real estate, and the town sets the rate. A current Lanzarote percentage was not on the national summary. 18
Property Transaction Tax
In the Canary Islands the general transfer tax on resale property is 6.5 percent in 2026. Stamp duty on notarial documents is 0.75 percent. A new home is charged IGIC instead of mainland VAT. 14 18
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Many passports can stay 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Work needs a permit. Qualifying newcomers, including teleworkers, can opt into the impatriate regime: employment income is withheld at 24 percent up to 600,000 euros and at 47 percent above that, for the tax year of the move and the next five. Opting in is not automatic. 20 21

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 29, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. ECB 90-day reference rates, 19 October 2026Official
  2. Orange Prepago 10 price pageOfficial
  3. Movistar prepaid tariffsOfficial
  4. Wikivoyage SpainSecondary
  5. Wikivoyage LanzaroteSecondary
  6. INE population by island and municipality, 2025Official
  7. English Wikipedia LanzaroteReference
  8. CACT Lanzarote hours and Timanfaya ticketOfficial
  9. Mirador del Río ticket and hoursOfficial
  10. Intercity Lanzarote bus passesOfficial
  11. The Square coworking, ArrecifeOfficial
  12. Islas24 listing for The SquareListings
  13. PwC personal income tax, reviewed 30 June 2026Secondary
  14. Hacienda regional tax measures 2026Official
  15. Canary Special Zone, 4 percent company taxOfficial
  16. PwC corporation tax, general rate 25 percentSecondary
  17. PwC controlled foreign company rulesSecondary
  18. PwC other taxes, IGIC and local property taxSecondary
  19. IGIC rate tableReference
  20. Tax agency impatriate regimeOfficial
  21. UK travel advice, Spain entryOfficial
  22. Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina OrosaOfficial
  23. Hospiten LanzaroteOfficial
  24. El Grifo wineryOfficial
  25. Grupo Orenes casino listOfficial
  26. OpenStreetMap bus station on Rambla MedularReference
  27. OpenStreetMap Fundación César Manrique, TahícheReference
  28. OpenStreetMap Mirador del RíoReference
  29. OpenStreetMap Iglesia de San GinésReference
  30. OpenStreetMap Castillo de Santa BárbaraReference
  31. OpenStreetMap Jameos del AguaReference
  32. OpenStreetMap Timanfaya National ParkReference
  33. OpenStreetMap Playa de PapagayoReference
  34. OpenStreetMap Castillo de San JoséReference
  35. PwC Spain tax residence testsSecondary
  36. Canary Special Zone eligibility requirementsOfficial

Change history

    • Accommodation Coliving spaces, Airbnb, and local listings on Idealista or Fotocasa Hotels and self-catering apartments are concentrated in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca…
    • Affordable Shopping Spots Mercadona, HiperDino, and Lidl for best grocery prices Lidl and HiperDino are the largest supermarkets and usually the best value. Fruit grown in…
    • Annual Events Carnival (February/March) and Arrecife en Vivo (Music festival, Autumn) Carnival falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, usually late February, and many towns…
    • Art Galleries Fundación César Manrique (Tahiche) - Built into volcanic bubbles Fundación César Manrique, Calle Mario Andrade, Tahíche, is his former house and studio…
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Beckham Law (24% flat tax) or ZEC (4% Corporate Tax for registered tech entities) Many passports can stay 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Work needs a permit. Qualifying…
    • Bar/Nightlife Area Varadero area in Puerto del Carmen or Charco de San Ginés in Arrecife Standalone bars are in the beach resorts. Cafes elsewhere also sell alcohol.
    42 more changes
    • Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Arrecife (Charco de San Ginés) for local vibes, or Costa Teguise for community and… Arrecife has the bus station, the airport nearby and The Square coworking on Calle La…
    • Best Area to Stay for Tourists Puerto del Carmen for nightlife/beaches or Playa Blanca for families Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise are the purpose-built resorts, on the…
    • Best Coworking Space The Office (Arrecife) or Magma Innovation Hub (Arrecife) - Day pass €15-€20 The Square, Calle La Gaviota 3, Arrecife, in the pedestrian centre. A listing gives a day…
    • Best Hospital Hospital Universitario Dr. José Molina Orosa (Public); Hospiten Lanzarote (Private) The public hospital is Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, Carretera…
    • Best Taxi/Ride App Taxi Lanzarote (local app) or PideTaxi. No Uber/Cabify on the island. There is no Uber. Taxis use meters, with fixed prices on common routes. Hail a cab with…
    • Birdwatching Locations El Jable plains for Houbara Bustard sightings The houbara bustard lives on the island and forages on the ground, hiding in bushes.
    • Cashless Friendly Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in 95% of establishments Most merchants take cards, and towns have ATMs. Some shops ask to see photo identification…
    • Casino & Gaming Halls Gran Casino de Lanzarote (Puerto del Carmen) Gran Casino Lanzarote, Avenida de las Playas 12, Puerto del Carmen. Phone 928 515 000.
    • City Arrecife, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain Lanzarote, Canary Islands, in the province of Las Palmas, Spain. The island capital is…
    • Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, strict Spanish CFC 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply Yes. Spanish rules can tax a foreign company when Spanish residents hold over 50 percent…
    • Corporate Tax Special Canary Islands Zone (ZEC) rate of 4% (subject to requirements); standard 25% The general corporation-tax rate is 25 percent. Authorised Canary Special Zone entities…
    • Cultural Districts Villa de Teguise (Historic capital) and Haría (The Valley of 1000 Palms) Villa de Teguise, the former capital, has cobbled streets. Haría is the main town in the…
    • Currency & Banking Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, Santander, BBVA Euro (EUR). On 19 October 2026 the ECB reference rate was 1 euro = 1.1225 US dollars, so…
    • Cycling/Walking Paths Avenue from Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen (12km flat seaside path) Cyclists may use almost all asphalted roads, except a few sections of the LZ-1 and LZ-2…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 19% - 26% for residents; 19% for EU/EEA residents Dividends are savings income: 19 percent on the first 6,000 euros, 21 percent to 50,000…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 47% (National + Regional combined) The 2026 national withholding guideline reaches 47 percent above 300,000 euros. The Spain…
    • Highway Access LZ-1 (North-South) and LZ-2 (Arrecife to Playa Blanca) are the main arteries The LZ-1 runs from Arrecife to Órzola in the north. The LZ-2 runs from Arrecife to Playa…
    • Historical Sites Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Teguise) and Cueva de los Verdes Castillo de Santa Bárbara is in Villa de Teguise, the former capital. Cueva de los Verdes…
    • Internet Speed High-speed fiber (FTTH) widely available, average 300 Mbps - 600 Mbps The travel guide lists 5G from MasMovil, Movistar and Orange, and 4G from Vodafone and…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Estación de Guaguas (Arrecife Bus Station) - Connection to all major towns There is no train. Estación de Guaguas, Rambla Medular, Arrecife, is the island bus…
    • Museums & Art Venues MIAC - Castillo de San José (International Museum of Contemporary Art) MIAC, the contemporary art museum, is in Castillo de San José on Carretera de los…
    • Must-See Landmarks Timanfaya National Park (Volcanic landscapes) - Entry €12 Timanfaya National Park, entered at Montañas del Fuego. The adult ticket is 30 euros…
    • National Parks Nearby Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and Chinijo Archipelago Marine Reserve Timanfaya National Park covers the 1730s lava fields. The Montañas del Fuego visit is 30…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes La Graciosa Island - Reached by ferry from Orzola (€28 return) La Graciosa, in the Chinijo archipelago, is about 30 minutes by ferry from Órzola. You…
    • Popular International Cuisine Cantina Teguise (Mexican/Fusion) in Villa de Teguise Many places serve what visitors eat at home: pizza, Chinese, Indian, and fish and chips.
    • Population 156,000 (Island-wide); Arrecife: 64,000 166,878 residents in 2025. Arrecife, the capital, was 70,265.
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlugs 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F sockets (Europlug and Schuko).
    • Property Tax IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - approx. 0.4% - 1.1% of cadastral value IBI is an annual municipal tax on owning real estate, and the town sets the rate. A…
    • Property Transaction Tax 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale; 7% IGIC + 1% AJD for new builds In the Canary Islands the general transfer tax on resale property is 6.5 percent in 2026…
    • Public Transport Passes Bono Bus Card (Intercity Bus) - 10% to 50% discount on standard fares The visitor Bono General is a 2 euro card with a 10 percent discount and top-ups from 5 to…
    • Regional Travel Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas ferries to Fuerteventura (25-35 mins, approx. €30) Ferries from Playa Blanca reach Corralejo on Fuerteventura in about 30 minutes. Longer…
    • Religious Sites Church of San Ginés (Arrecife) - 17th-century architecture Iglesia de San Ginés de Clermont stands on Calle San Juan in the centre of Arrecife.
    • SIM Card Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Digi. Prepaid 100GB plans from €15/month Buy a prepaid SIM at an Orange or Movistar shop; identification is usually required…
    • Scenic Viewpoints Mirador del Río - Panoramic views of La Graciosa (Entry €5) Mirador del Río, on the LZ-203 in Haría, is a César Manrique lookout excavated into the…
    • Street Food Stalls Teguise Sunday Market - Famous for 'Bocadillo de Carne Fiesta' The best-known market is the Teguise Sunday market. Extra buses run that day from…
    • Tap Water Safe for hygiene but heavily desalinated; locals and nomads usually buy bottled water or… Generally safe to drink nationwide; water in southern Spain may have a higher mineral…
    • Tax System Spanish Worldwide Income basis, but with significant regional deductions (RIC, DIC) Residents pay Spanish income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents pay tax on…
    • Theater Venues Jameos del Agua Auditorium - Unique concert hall inside a volcanic tube Jameos del Agua, on the LZ-1 in Haría, is one of the island art and tourism centres, set…
    • Top International Airline Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet (direct from London, Berlin, Madrid) César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, about 5 km west of Arrecife, has budget flights from…
    • VAT 7% IGIC (Canary Island General Indirect Tax) instead of 21% VAT The Canary Islands do not charge mainland VAT. The local sales tax is IGIC. The published…
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Options The V-Spot (Puerto del Carmen) - Creative 100% vegan menu Vegetarian and vegan choices are easy to find in the main resorts.
    • Wine Bars El Grifo (La Geria) - Oldest winery in Canaries, excellent Malvasía Volcánica El Grifo, in the La Geria protected landscape, has made wine since 1775, including…

    retry fix, light depth. Tap Water, SIM Card, Tax System and Highest Income Tax Bracket aligned with the Spain prep and corrected comparison cities; Corporate Tax restricted to authorised Canary Special Zone entities; Best Coworking Space hours attributed to the listing that displays them. Best Hospital, Museums & Art Venues, Religious Sites, Art Galleries, Theater Venues, Main Train/Transit Hub and Scenic Viewpoints address verification gaps recorded under Not verified. Research attribution and verification date updated (en.wikivoyage.org, taxsummaries.pwc.com, taxsummaries.pwc.com, canariaszec.gob.es, islas24.info).

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