Moving to the Canary Islands from Mainland Spain

As a moving company to the Canary Islands with our own base in Tenerife and over 15 years organizing transfers between the mainland and the islands, we know that moving to the archipelago is not just another trip: it involves a land leg, a sea crossing and customs management that should be left to experts. We collect your belongings from any point on the mainland and deliver them assembled in your new house in the Canary Islands, coordinating the maritime transport entirely from start to finish. We always work with a fixed price, with no last-minute surprises, and with our own team at destination so that delivery doesn't depend on third parties. A well-planned move to the Canary Islands is the difference between arriving stress-free or spending weeks sorting out unexpected issues.

How a move from the mainland to the Canary Islands works

A move from the mainland to the Canary Islands always combines two phases. First, the land leg: we do door to door collection from your home, we pack and transport the furniture to the departure port that best suits your starting point. Next, the sea leg, where your belongings travel by ship to the islands. The main mainland departure ports are Cadiz, with the shortest crossing (around 5 days) and the natural choice for Seville and the entire south; Valencia, with crossings of around 6 days; and Barcelona, with direct service and transit of around 7 days ideal for the Mediterranean region and the northeast. If your origin is inland, such as Madrid or Zaragoza, we consolidate the load via cross-dock to the appropriate port, with total transit of around 9 days. On arrival, the belongings are unloaded at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife or at the Puerto de La Luz and Las Palmas, from where our local team carries out the final delivery. These are indicative maritime transit times and vary depending on line departures and the time of year.

Groupage or full container: which is right for 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 metres. It's the most economical and most common option 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 exclusively, without consolidating with other clients, gaining in speed and privacy. In your quote we advise you on which option reduces the cost without compromising load safety.

Which mainland cities we operate from

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

Procedures and taxation: DUA and exemption for change of residence

Due to its status as a territory with special tax treatment, every move to the Canary Islands requires customs processing. It is mandatory to submit the DUA (Single Administrative Document) for the clearance of the goods. The good news is that if you move due to change of residence, you can take advantage of the exemption with IGIC and AIEM waived on used household goods, provided you register as a resident in the islands. We handle all the documentary management: we prepare the DUA, we inform you which documents you need (resident 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 invoice surprises.

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 arrange anything separately. It includes reinforced maritime packaging, essential to protect the furniture against moisture and the movements of the crossing; dismantling and assembly of furniture at origin and destination; and interim storage in case the departure and delivery dates don't coincide and you need temporary custody. We also transport your car in a container safely, and the entire shipment is insured covering 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 the islands of the archipelago, and each destination has its own page with ports, timescales 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 island link. If your destination is a non-capital island, we coordinate the second inter-island sea hop as part of the same fixed price, without you having to manage it yourself. And if you already live in the Canary Islands and need to move from one island to another, consult our inter-island moving service, where we apply the same maritime logistics and the same local team as in transfers from the mainland.

Price and quote

At Horizont Atlantic we work with payment for actual volume: you measure what your belongings occupy and you pay for it, without inflated flat rates. We give you a fixed price quote within 24 hours, with all items itemized and no hidden costs, so you know exactly how much your move to the Canary Islands will cost before booking. The factors that influence the price are the volume of the load, the city of origin and the associated departure port, the destination island, the chosen method (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 an accurate and transparent quote for you.

Frequently asked questions

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

The maritime transit varies depending on the departure port: around 5 days from Cadiz, 6 from Valencia and 6 from Barcelona. From inland origins such as Madrid or Zaragoza, the total is around 9 days when consolidating the load via cross-dock. To that timeframe you must add 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 IGIC and AIEM waived on used household goods, provided you register as a resident in the islands. The DUA is mandatory, and we handle its processing entirely.

Is groupage or full container better?

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

Do you collect from my city even if it's not a capital?

Yes. We offer door to door collection from any point on the mainland, including inland towns, and we transport your belongings to the most efficient departure port according to your starting point.

Can you also transport my car?

Yes, we transport vehicles in a container safely together with the rest of your move, incorporating it into the same fixed price so you don't have to arrange a separate service.

And what if the journey is the other way? If what you need is to leave the islands, you have all the information on our Canary Islands to mainland moves page: ports, timescales, export DUA and exemption for change of residence.

If you travel with a dog or cat, it is transported separately with its own procedures: see pet transport to the Canary Islands, it is coordinated in the same shipment.