Moving to the Canary Islands from Mainland Spain

As a moving company to the Canary Islands with its own base in Tenerife and over 15 years organizing transfers between mainland Spain and the islands, we know that moving to the archipelago is not just another trip: it involves a land section, a maritime leap and customs management that should be left in expert hands. We collect your belongings at any point on mainland Spain and deliver them assembled in your new Canarian home, coordinating comprehensively the maritime transport from start to finish. We always work with fixed prices, with no last-minute surprises, and with our own team at destination so that delivery does not depend on third parties. A move to the Canary Islands well-planned is the difference between arriving stress-free or spending weeks solving unforeseen issues.

What a move from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands is like

A move from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands always combines two phases. First, the land section: we collect door to door at your home, pack and transfer the furniture to the departure port that best fits your origin. Then, the maritime section, where your belongings travel by ship to the islands. The main mainland departure ports are Cádiz, with the shortest transit (about 5 days) and the natural option for Seville and the entire south; Valencia, with crossings of around 6 days; and Barcelona, with direct line and transit of about 7 days ideal for the Mediterranean arc and the northeast. If your origin is inland, such as Madrid or Zaragoza, we consolidate the shipment via cross-dock to the appropriate port, with a total transit of around 9 days. Upon arrival, the belongings are unloaded at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife or at the Port of La Luz and Las Palmas, from where our local team carries out the final delivery. These are indicative maritime transit periods and vary according to line departures and the time of year.

Groupage or full container: which suits you

The choice between groupage or full container depends on the volume of your move and your budget. Groupage is the most efficient option for flats and medium-sized homes: you share container space with other shipments and pay for the actual volume that your furniture and boxes occupy, without paying for empty cubic meters. It is the most economical formula and the most common in moves to the Canary Islands. The full container (exclusive) is designed for large homes, houses with lots of furniture or when you prefer your belongings to travel alone, without consolidating with other clients, gaining agility in schedules and privacy. In your quote we advise you on which option reduces costs without compromising cargo safety.

Which mainland cities we operate from

We operate as a moving company mainland Spain-Canary Islands from practically any city, with door-to-door pickup. We usually work from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, and also from Zaragoza, Bilbao, Málaga, Alicante and the rest of mainland capitals and towns. It doesn't matter if you live in a big city or in an inland town: we coordinate the land transfer to the optimal departure port according to your origin, so you only have to worry about preparing your arrival at your new home. Each route is planned to minimize transfers and take advantage of the fastest available maritime departure.

Procedures and taxation: DUA and exemption for change of residence

Due to its status as a territory with special taxation, every move to the Canary Islands requires customs processing. It is mandatory to present the DUA (Single Administrative Document) for customs clearance of the goods. The good news is that if you move due to change of residence, you can take advantage of the exemption which includes the exemption of IGIC and AIEM on used household goods, provided they are personal goods and you register in the islands. We take care of the complete document management: we prepare the DUA, we tell you what documents you need (registration, valued inventory) and we coordinate with customs so that your used furniture is cleared without unnecessary tax costs. This way you avoid delays at the port and surprises in the invoice.

What your move to the Canary Islands includes

Our move to the Canary Islands is a comprehensive service designed so you don't have to contract anything separately. It includes reinforced maritime packing, essential to protect furniture against moisture and movements of the journey; disassembly and assembly of furniture at origin and destination; and temporary storage in case the departure and delivery dates do not match and you need temporary storage. We also transport your car in a container safely, and the entire shipment travels with insurance that covers the value of your belongings. Our own team in Tenerife carries out the final delivery, placing each piece of furniture where you need it so you can start living in your new home from day one.

Which islands we reach

We reach all islands of the archipelago, and each destination has its own page with ports, deadlines and delivery areas: moves to Tenerife and moves to Gran Canaria as main entry ports, and also Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro via the corresponding inter-island link. If your destination is a non-capital island, we coordinate the second inter-island maritime jump as part of the same fixed budget, so you don't have to manage it yourself. And if you already live in the Canary Islands and need to move from one island to another, check out our service for inter-island moves, where we apply the same maritime logistics and the same local team as in transfers from mainland Spain.

Price and budget

At Horizont Atlantic we work with payment by actual volume: you measure what your belongings occupy and pay for it, without inflated flat rates. We provide you with a fixed quote in 24 hours, with all concepts itemized and no hidden costs, so you know exactly how much your move to the Canary Islands will cost before you contract. The factors that influence the price are the volume of the shipment, the city of origin and the associated departure port, the destination island, the chosen option (groupage or full container) and additional services such as storage, comprehensive packing or vehicle transport. Tell us what you need to move and we'll prepare you with an adjusted and transparent quote.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a move from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands take?

The maritime transit varies depending on the departure port: around 5 days from Cádiz, 6 from Valencia and 7 from Barcelona. From inland origins such as Madrid or Zaragoza, the overall takes around 9 days when consolidating the shipment via cross-dock. To that period you must add the collection, packing and customs clearance.

Do I have to pay taxes to take my furniture to the Canary Islands?

If you move due to change of residence, you can take advantage of the exemption with exemption of IGIC and AIEM on used household goods, as long as you register in the islands. The DUA is mandatory, whose processing we manage entirely.

Is groupage or full container better?

Groupage is the most profitable for flats and medium-sized homes, because you pay for the actual volume. The full container suits large homes or when you prefer your shipment to travel exclusively. In the quote we recommend the optimal option for your case.

Do you pick up in my city even if it's not a capital?

Yes. We offer door-to-door pickup from any point on mainland Spain, including inland towns, and we transfer your belongings to the departure port most efficient according to your origin.

Can you also transport my car?

Yes, we transport vehicles in a container safely along with the rest of your move, integrating it in the same fixed budget so you don't have to contract a separate service.

What if the journey is the other way round? If what you need is to leave the islands, you have all the information on our page for moves from the Canary Islands to mainland Spain: ports, deadlines, departure DUA and exemption for change of residence.