Earlier versions (Opera 12 and earlier) did this by default but now I have to right click and select open in new tab. How do I re-instate this feature by default?

Hi Richard, you can use "Ctrl+Shift+Click", or "Shift+MiddleClick" to open link in a new tab in the foreground, and you can also use "Ctrl+Click", or "MiddleClick" to open link in a new tab in the background.

Thanks but as stated I already know how to force a link to open in a new tab.

What I want is this to happen by default. I guess if possible it would require some deeper hidden option as Settings doesn't offer this option, although default in earlier versions of Opera.

I had a similar issue and it was suggested I install the open new tab extension available here https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/open-new-tab/?display=en

Works a treat - you just hold on link instead of clicking to get link to open in new tab. So much easier than all the other suggestions.

Yes, maybe it's better to deal with the issue by extension, so that the browser isn't affected by those who don't want the feature. And as a matter of fact, here's an opera extension, Open New Tab, where if you hold a link a little longer, it is supposed to open the link in a new background tab.
https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/open-new-tab/?display=en
I tried it, though, and it didn't seem to work right for me. So, I guess we live with the right click on the tab to use context menu to open it in a new tab, or the keyboard cut (control, shift, and click on the link). It works . . .

Many thanks - that's the best solution so far. I wasn't looking for a hard coded solution anyway.

Hi Richard, you can use "Ctrl+Shift+Click", or "Shift+MiddleClick" to open link in a new tab in the foreground, and you can also use "Ctrl+Click", or "MiddleClick" to open link in a new tab in the background.

Thanks but as stated I already know how to force a link to open in a new tab.

What I want is this to happen by default. I guess if possible it would require some deeper hidden option as Settings doesn't offer this option, although default in earlier versions of Opera.

Earlier versions (Opera 12 and earlier) did this by default but now I have to right click and select open in new tab. How do I re-instate this feature by default?