As it can be assumed, settling our life in a new place or moving our business to another location can raise our stress levels, since in addition to the emotional component, every change generates uncertainty by itself, so knowing how much a move costs can give us some peace of mind.
Especially when it comes to moves from or to Tenerife, in which you must take into account factors such as insularity, distance, or the tax regime specific to the archipelago.
In this sense, the most practical thing is to get advice from a specialized company like Horizont Atlantic leader in the moving sector in the Canary Islands, since it has more than 20 years of experience handling all kinds of situations that arise due to the exceptional conditions of the islands.
What factors can influence the price of a move
To calculate the hourly price per move, you must mainly take into account two aspects such as distance and volume in addition to the cost of the moving trucks themselves. However, we can say that no two moves are alike, so the price can depend on various factors that occur in each situation.
Distance
As for distance, if the move is carried out within the same city, it is normal that there is a general rate, when it comes to long road trips you need to add an extra charge according to the mileage to cover.
In the case of inter-island transfers or for example from or to Tenerife to mainland Spain, maritime transport via containers must be taken into account, as well as air transport if necessary.
Volume and spaces
At this point, the volume in cubic meters occupied by the items to be transported is taken into account, to consider the space and the number of moving trucks needed.
Another aspect that can vary the price of the move is the interior space of each property, because for example in narrow spaces more workers will be needed to handle heavy objects.
On the other hand, it may be necessary to add the fees for requesting parking from the corresponding municipal council.
Time and other services
The urgency with which you want to carry out the moving service or the selected dates such as weekends are aspects to consider to know how much you pay for a move.
Finally, it is possible to hire a series of additional services such as packing, especially of dedicated items, the disassembly and assembly of furniture or temporary storage.
How much can it cost to do a move
Taking into account the different variables that can affect a move, the hourly price can have some variation, so to give an indicative example a move in Tenerife can be in a range of between 400 € and 1200 €.
In any case, the most important thing is to ask for a fixed quote that adapts to our needs and guarantees the integrity of our objects at all times.
So, when it comes to knowing how much a move costs, we must consider what the specific circumstances of our particular case are. This way we will have an approximate idea of how much we are going to pay for a professional moving service that gives us guarantees and that somehow reduces our stress levels.
Moving prices to the Canary Islands in 2026: price ranges by route
Moves to and from the Canary Islands are calculated differently than mainland ones: transport is by sea in containers (not just road), there is customs procedures (DUA) and IGIC instead of VAT, and the deadlines depend on the frequency of ships to each island. These are indicative ranges for 2026 according to the type of service; your specific case is always closed with a written quote.
| Type of move related to the Canary Islands | Indicative range 2026 |
|---|---|
| Studio or small apartment (groupage / shared container) | 1,200 – 2,200 € |
| 2-3 bedroom apartment (shared container) | 2,400 – 4,800 € |
| Large apartment or house (exclusive 20' container) | 5,000 – 9,500 € |
| Inter-island (between islands), medium apartment | 900 – 2,000 € |
| Vehicle transport only in container | 800 – 1,500 € |
| International (United Kingdom / Germany → Canary Islands), medium apartment | 3,500 – 7,500 € |
Notice: indicative and merely informative prices, subject to variation due to increases in fuel, freight, supplies and any other factor affecting the company. They are variable and may change without notice; the final amount is confirmed in writing in the quote.
What most affects the price in the Canary Islands: the volume (m³) and whether you share a container (groupage) or use it exclusively; the destination island (Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with more frequent ships, are cheaper than smaller islands like La Gomera or El Hierro); the floor and accessibility; the season (summer +15-25%); and extra services (full packing, storage, vehicle transport, which involves the IEDMT). Also check the moving routes to the Canary Islands. Do you prefer an instant estimate? Use our moving price calculator for the Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions about moving costs
What are the factors that most influence the cost?
In order: distance (short or long), total volume (m³ of cargo), accessibility (floors without elevator, narrow streets), season (summer +15-25%), type of service (transport only, packing, disassembly), urgency (24-48h with surcharge) and special items (piano, works of art, vehicles). Volume is usually the main factor.
How do serious companies give you a quote?
Three models: 1) online quote with approximate calculator (indicative, ±20%), 2) free technical visit to your home (written fixed quote), 3) video call with tour of the property (intermediate). For moves to the Canary Islands or long distance, insist on a written fixed quote (not verbal estimate) to avoid surprises.
What does a standard moving quote include?
Typical: door-to-door transport, basic furniture packing (blankets, stretch plastic), loading and unloading, basic RC insurance. Frequent extras with additional cost: full packing of boxes (200-700 €), furniture disassembly/assembly (80-200 €), municipal parking permit (30-80 €), temporary storage, special items transport, specific certificates.
Is there a way to reduce the price without losing quality?
Yes, several proven techniques: low season (February, November vs July-August: -20%), DIY packing (-200-600 €), discard 20-30% of volume beforehand, shared move if small volume (-25%), book 4 weeks in advance (better rates), compare 3 firm quotes. More details: cheap move, 15 cost-saving techniques.
How much does an average move cost in Spain?
Indicative figures (2026): studio or small apartment within same city 400-800 €, 2 bedroom apartment within same city 700-1,300 €, move between nearby cities 1,000-2,000 €, move to the Canary Islands 1,700-3,500 €, international move within Europe 2,500-5,000 €, intercontinental move 5,000-12,000 €. These ranges are reference: your specific move can vary significantly.
How much does a move from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands cost?
For a medium apartment (2-3 bedrooms) in a shared container, the indicative 2026 range is 2,400 – 4,800 €. Volume in m³, destination island, floor without elevator and season are influential factors. A written fixed quote is essential, not a verbal estimate.
Why does a move to the Canary Islands go by boat and how long does it take?
The islands have no road connection to mainland Spain, so the bulk of the move travels by sea container. The typical transit time is 5 to 10 days depending on the island and ship frequency (Tenerife and Gran Canaria have more frequent departures than the smaller islands).
Do you pay VAT or IGIC on a move to the Canary Islands?
In the Canary Islands, VAT is not applied but IGIC, and there is also a customs procedure (DUA) when goods enter the archipelago. A company with experience on the route manages the DUA and documentation so you don't have surprises or port delays.
Is it cheaper to share a container (groupage)?
Yes. If your volume is modest, the groupage (sharing a container with other moves) reduces transport costs by around 20-30 % compared to an exclusive container. The exclusive one makes sense when you have a large volume or need a faster and more controlled timeline.
