Moves between the Canary Islands are a daily reality of the archipelago: job change, family reunification, better quality of life or simple change of residence. Although politically all the islands are Spanish territory, a move between Tenerife and Gran Canaria requires a specific protocol (obligatory maritime transit and, in many cases, DUA due to customs control between provinces) that does not apply to a mainland move. This guide, updated to 2026 with real prices and timelines we manage with the shipping companies, explains how it's done, how much it costs, what documentation you need and how to avoid the usual additional costs. At Horizont Atlantic we have been coordinating these routes for more than 15 years and we have our own operations on the main islands.
The 8 islands and their ports
The archipelago has 8 islands (7 main + La Graciosa) distributed between 2 provinces:
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro
- Las Palmas: Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Graciosa
Each island has its main port where containers arrive and depart:
- Tenerife: Puerto de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Gran Canaria: Puerto de La Luz y de Las Palmas
- Lanzarote: Puerto de Los Mármoles (Arrecife)
- Fuerteventura: Puerto del Rosario
- La Palma: Puerto de Santa Cruz de La Palma
- La Gomera: Puerto de San Sebastián de La Gomera
- El Hierro: Puerto de La Estaca (Valverde)
- La Graciosa: Caleta del Sebo (via transhipment from Lanzarote)
Shipping companies operating inter-island routes
Inter-island moves are done by ship with cargo shipping companies:
- Naviera Armas - Trasmediterránea: covers all routes, daily departures between main islands
- Fred. Olsen Express: faster routes, especially Tenerife-Gran Canaria (crossing in approx. 2h)
- Boluda Lines: specializes in containers and Ro-Ro cargo, widely used for inter-island cargo
The Horizont Atlantic team coordinates with all of them according to the specific route and date availability. If you are considering how to choose the company to coordinate all this, our guide can help you how to choose a professional moving company in the Canary Islands.
Types of inter-island move
Between islands in the SAME province
Tenerife ↔ La Palma, Tenerife ↔ La Gomera, Gran Canaria ↔ Lanzarote, Gran Canaria ↔ Fuerteventura. It does not require DUA because it does not cross different fiscal territory. The protocol is simpler and cheaper.
Between islands in DIFFERENT provinces
Tenerife ↔ Gran Canaria, Tenerife ↔ Lanzarote, La Palma ↔ Fuerteventura, etc. Requires DUA (Single Administrative Document) because there is customs control between Canary Island provinces. We handle the procedures as part of our service, so you don't have to go to customs.
Special cases: small islands
Moves to La Gomera, El Hierro or La Graciosa require transhipment in Tenerife or Lanzarote, which adds 24-48 h to the transit and a handling surcharge. More information in Canary Islands tax regime.
Indicative prices by route (2026 ranges)
For a medium apartment move (20-25 m³) in a shared container between islands, the ranges we are managing in 2026, with fuel and port fees already included:
- Tenerife ↔ Gran Canaria: 850-1.400 €
- Tenerife ↔ La Palma: 900-1.450 €
- Tenerife ↔ La Gomera: 950-1.550 € (via transhipment)
- Gran Canaria ↔ Lanzarote: 900-1.400 €
- Gran Canaria ↔ Fuerteventura: 900-1.400 €
- Lanzarote ↔ Fuerteventura: 750-1.150 €
- Tenerife ↔ Lanzarote or Fuerteventura: 950-1.550 € (cross province + transhipment)
- Any island ↔ El Hierro: 1.050-1.800 € (via Tenerife)
If your starting point or destination is Tenerife, in cost of a move in Tenerife: real 2026 prices you have the complete breakdown of the land portion (team, truck, packing materials) that is added to the maritime portion. And if you still don't know how many cubic meters (m³) your move takes up, follow our practical guide how to calculate the cubic meters (m³) of your move step by step: it's the first thing any shipping company will ask you.
Real example 1 — 2-bedroom apartment, Santa Cruz ↔ Las Palmas
75 m² apartment with ≈ 22 m³ effective, without piano or safe, floor 3 with elevator at origin and ground floor with drive access at destination. Shared container, DUA included, professional packing of fragile dishes and basic assembly of beds and wardrobes at destination: ~1.180 € VAT included, door to door transit 5 business days.
Real example 2 — small move with car, Gran Canaria → Fuerteventura
Studio + storage room (≈ 9 m³) plus a compact car. Shared groupage for belongings (~ 620 €) + car in RoRo (~ 260 €). Total transit 4 days. Since it's the same province, without DUA. Many clients on these short routes also hire a few weeks of storage or storage locker at the arrival point while they finish settling into their new home.
Transit times (2026)
- Same province: 3-5 days door to door
- Different province: 4-7 days door to door (DUA adds 1-2 days)
- With transhipment (Gomera, Hierro, Graciosa): 5-9 days
- High season (July-September): add 2-3 days due to shared container saturation
How an inter-island move is done step by step
1. Pickup on the island of origin
Horizont team on your current island loads the truck at your home according to the usual professional protocol: packing of fragile dishes, numbered photographic inventory and labeled by room. That inventory is the same one used later for the DUA and to manage any possible incident with the moving insurance (declared value).
2. Transfer to port
The truck goes to the corresponding port (Santa Cruz, Las Palmas, Arrecife, etc.) and unloads the move in the port area.
3. Loading into maritime container
Your move is loaded into a container (shared or exclusive depending on size) with destination to the port of the arrival island. If it crosses provinces, DUA is presented at customs.
4. Maritime crossing
Between 2-3 h (Tenerife-Gran Canaria with Fred. Olsen fast) and 24-36 h (long routes with transhipment). The Horizont team monitors the shipment during transit and notifies you when it lands.
5. Unloading and delivery
Horizont team on the destination island collects the container from the port, loads it onto a local truck and delivers it to your new home. If you have contracted assembly, the team will perform it.
Required documentation
- ID or NIE of the person responsible for the move
- Rental contract or deed of the new property
- If it crosses provinces: detailed inventory for DUA (Horizont prepares it)
- If you bring a vehicle: see IEDMT and Canary Island registration
- If there are objects with declared value: official appraisal or purchase invoice (essential to activate insurance with declared value)
Inter-island move with car
Taking the car between islands is quite common. It is done in a container or RoRo (see vehicles in container). Indicative prices 2026:
- Passenger car Tenerife ↔ GC in RoRo: 260-400 €
- In exclusive container + move: +30-50 % but total protection (recommended for new or valuable cars)
- Other inter-island routes: similar, +10-20 % if transhipment is required
Frequently asked questions about moves between islands
Do I need to register again if I move to another island?
Yes. Registration is municipal, not regional. Every time you change municipality (even between islands) you must register in the new town hall. Without it, you lose rights such as health insurance card assigned to the new health center, municipal discounts, etc. Complete registration guide.
Do I pay IGIC or AIEM for a move between islands?
Inter-island moves may require DUA if they cross provinces, but since they are used personal goods they do not pay AIEM (which is for commercial goods). The IGIC for the transport service is the 3% reduced rate (instead of the 7% general rate).
Can I do the move on the ferry and take the car loaded myself?
Yes, for small moves (volume ≤ 5 m³). You reserve a spot on the ferry for yourself and your car with a rented trailer. But for medium or large moves (> 10 m³), the shared container is usually more cost-effective and comfortable. If you're not sure how much space your belongings take up, measure with this guide before deciding.
Is there a resident discount on inter-island moves?
The 75% resident discount applies to passenger tickets (you on a plane or ferry), not to freight transport. However, cargo shipping companies apply lower rates for residents on regular routes. The price already negotiated by Horizont with shipping companies is the best available.
Can I leave my furniture in storage between islands?
Yes. We have our own storage facility in Tenerife where you can leave your belongings between container unloading and delivery of keys to your new home. Particularly useful if you move to small islands where final delivery can take 1-2 weeks. If you're unsure between a small storage locker or closed storage facility, read storage locker or storage facility: which do you need and the sizing guide what size storage unit do I need.
How long in advance should I book a move between islands?
Minimum 2 weeks, ideally 3-4 weeks. Cargo shipping companies have specific frequencies (3-7 departures/week depending on route) and shared containers fill up quickly during high season (July-September). Booking in advance gives you a better date and better price.
What happens if my move departs from La Laguna, La Orotava or south Tenerife?
We add the land portion to the Puerto de Santa Cruz to the estimate. For departures from the historic district (narrow access, time restrictions), first review the specific considerations in moves in La Laguna: historic district, access and advice: these also apply to other historic districts on the islands (La Orotava, Vegueta in Las Palmas, Teguise, etc.).
Request a quote for your inter-island move
At Horizont Atlantic we have our own operations on all the main Canary Islands and more than 15 years coordinating inter-island routes. We send you a fixed price quote within 24-48 hours indicating origin island, destination island, approximate volume and target date. Request it here without obligation.
