Starting university in the Canary Islands or moving to another campus mid-course means organising a mini-move on a student budget. This guide brings together practical tips to make the move cheap, fast, and damage-free: from what to put in boxes to low-cost options for sending bulkier items.
Inventory: only the essentials
A university room usually measures 8–12 m². Your inventory should fit into 5–8 large boxes + 1 suitcase + 1 backpack. If your first instinct is to take your entire wardrobe from home, cut it in half.
The essentials (non-negotiable)
- Documentation: ID card/NIE, university card, enrolment, granted grants, vaccination records
- Laptop + charger + wireless mouse
- Layered clothing (2 basic jackets, short- and long-sleeved tops, 14 days of underwear, sports shoes + one formal pair)
- Sheets and bath towel (cheaper to bring than to buy at destination)
- Basic first aid kit (painkillers, plasters, thermometer, regular medication)
- Mobile charger + European adapter if coming from outside the EU
What NOT to take (buy at destination)
- Crockery, pots, toaster (student flats already have these)
- Textbooks (better to buy or rent at the faculty)
- Plants (Plant Health in the Canary Islands has strict controls)
- Perishable food
- Furniture from your family bedroom (it won't fit, and the university room comes furnished)
Three options for a student move to the Canary Islands
1. Suitcase + extra bag as checked luggage
If you are flying, check in your suitcase (23 kg) + pay for 1–2 extra bags (≈ 40–80 € each). For small volumes this is the quickest (same day) and most economical option if you fit within the weight limit.
Best option if: you have fewer than 50 kg of belongings and are living in a furnished room.
2. Boxes via standard parcel services (Correos, MRW, SEUR)
For medium volumes (50–150 kg) spread across 3–6 boxes. Worth considering:
- Correos: paquete azul, up to 30 kg/box, 60–90 € per box to the Canary Islands. 3–7 days.
- SEUR/MRW: 40–70 €/box depending on weight, 2–5 days.
- Economy sea freight (Naviera Armas): 15–25 €/box but transit times of 7–12 days.
Downside: slow if you are in a hurry. Upside: your laptop and documents travel with you in the cabin.
3. Shared move (groupage) to the Canary Islands
If you have your own furniture (sofa bed, desk, shelving) or are moving into a complete shared flat, the most cost-effective option is the combined container: you pay only for the space you use within a container shared with other moves.
- Minimum volume: 2–3 m³
- Indicative price: 350–650 € for 2–3 m³ from Madrid/Barcelona to Tenerife
- Transit time: 7–12 days door to door
- Includes third-party liability insurance and collection from your front door
More info at: Shared moves to the Canary Islands: advantages.
Cheap packing materials for students
There is no need to spend money on professional boxes if you plan ahead:
- Free reinforced boxes: ask at supermarkets (Lidl, Mercadona) on Monday mornings — they will give them to you
- Bubble wrap: buy online or reuse wrap from parcels you receive
- Clothing as padding: wrap chargers, fragile electronics, and crockery in folded socks or T-shirts
- Good packing tape: do NOT cut corners here. Poor-quality tape comes unstuck in transit and everything falls out
Canarian student procedures
Universities in the Canary Islands
- ULL (University of La Laguna): Tenerife, main campus in San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- ULPGC (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria): Gran Canaria, campuses in Las Palmas and Tafira
- UNED, UDIMA, online: any island, no physical travel required
Register your address from day one
Registering with the local council (empadronamiento) in the municipality where you will live during the academic year gives you:
- University transport pass (Titsa in Tenerife, Global in Gran Canaria)
- 75% discount on flights to the mainland (essential for returning at Christmas/summer)
- Access to the Canarian health card
- Possibility of applying for a canteen or university hall of residence grant if you meet the financial criteria
Detailed guide: Change of registration when moving to the Canary Islands.
Student accommodation in the Canary Islands
Options by rising price:
- Room in a shared flat: 220–400 €/month in La Laguna, 250–450 €/month in Las Palmas
- Public university hall of residence: 350–500 €/month (includes full board, limited places)
- Private university hall of residence: 500–800 €/month
- Studio flat: 450–700 €/month depending on area
Recommendation: if you are arriving in September, start looking 2 months in advance. Availability dries up from mid-August.
Can we help with your student move?
At Horizont Atlantic we offer a specific shared move service for students with reduced rates for small volumes (2–4 m³) and weekly departures from the main mainland ports to Tenerife and Las Palmas. Request a quote stating "student move" and we will send you an optimised proposal for your volume.
