Starting university in the Canary Islands or transferring to another campus mid-course means organising a mini-move on a tight student budget. This guide brings together practical tips to make your move cheap, fast and without damaging your belongings: from what to pack in boxes to low-cost options for shipping bulkier items.
Inventory: essentials only
A university room is typically 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, cut it in half.
The essentials (non-negotiable)
- Documents: DNI, NIE, university card, enrolment certificate, awarded grants, vaccination records
- Laptop + charger + wireless mouse
- Layered clothing (2 basic coats, short-sleeve and long-sleeve tops, 14 days of underwear, trainers + one formal pair)
- Bed sheets and bath towel (cheaper to bring than to buy at your destination)
- Basic first-aid kit (painkillers, plasters, thermometer, regular medication)
- Mobile phone charger + European adapter if you're coming from outside the EU
What NOT to bring (buy at your destination)
- Crockery, pots, toaster (student flats usually have these already)
- Textbooks (better to buy or rent at the faculty)
- Plants (Plant Health in the Canary Islands enforces strict controls)
- Perishable food
- Bedroom furniture from home (it won't fit, and university rooms come furnished)
Three options for a student move to the Canary Islands
1. Suitcase + extra box as checked luggage
If you're flying, check your suitcase (23 kg) + pay for 1–2 extra bags (≈ 40–80 € each). For small volumes this is the quickest option (same day) and most economical if you stay within the weight limit.
Best option if: you have fewer than 50 kg of belongings and are moving into an already-furnished room.
2. Boxes via standard courier (Correos, MRW, SEUR)
For medium volumes (50–150 kg) spread across 3–6 boxes. Things to consider:
- Correos: blue parcel service, 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're in a hurry. Upside: your laptop and documents travel with you in the cabin.
3. Shared removal (groupage) to the Canary Islands
If you're bringing your own furniture (sofa bed, desk, shelving) or moving into a fully-shared flat, the most cost-effective option is the combined container: you only pay for the space you use within a container shared with other removals.
- Minimum volume: 2–3 m³
- Guide price: 350–650 € for 2–3 m³ from Madrid/Barcelona to Tenerife
- Transit time: 7–12 days door to door
- Includes public liability insurance and collection from your door
More info at: Shared removals to the Canary Islands: advantages.
Cheap packing materials for students
You don't need to spend money on professional boxes if you plan ahead:
- Free reinforced boxes: ask at supermarkets (Lidl, Mercadona) on Monday mornings — they'll 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 rolled-up socks or folded T-shirts
- Good packing tape: do NOT cut corners here. Cheap tape peels off in transit and everything falls out
Student admin in the Canary Islands
Universities in the Canary Islands
- ULL (Universidad de La Laguna): Tenerife, main campus in San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- ULPGC (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria): Gran Canaria, campuses in Las Palmas and Tafira
- UNED, UDIMA, online: any island, no physical travel required
Register on the electoral roll from day one
Registering with the local council (empadronamiento) in the town where you'll be living during term gives you:
- University travel pass (Titsa on Tenerife, Global on Gran Canaria)
- 75% discount on flights to the mainland (essential for getting home at Christmas/summer)
- Access to the Canary Islands health card
- Eligibility for a canteen or university halls grant if you meet the financial requirements
Detailed guide: Changing your registration when moving to the Canary Islands.
Student accommodation in the Canary Islands
Options in ascending order of price:
- Room in a shared flat: 220–400 €/month in La Laguna, 250–450 €/month in Las Palmas
- Public university halls: 350–500 €/month (full board included, limited places)
- Private university halls: 500–800 €/month
- Studio flat: 450–700 €/month depending on location
Recommendation: if you're arriving in September, start looking 2 months in advance. Supply runs out from mid-August.
Can we help with your student move?
At Horizont Atlantic we offer a dedicated shared removal 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 mentioning "student move" and we'll send you a proposal optimised for your volume.
Frequently asked questions about student moves to the Canary Islands
How much does a student move to the Canary Islands cost?
Small volume (cabin-size box, electronics, books, clothing): 600–1,000 € from the mainland. If you're bringing basic furniture (desk, chair, bed frame, mattress): 900–1,400 €. Cheaper if you join a shared removal (groupage): 20–30% less. Book 3–4 weeks in advance to secure a favourable departure slot. More detail: budget removals, money-saving tips.
What are my options if I'm only bringing suitcases and a cabin box?
If you're only carrying personal luggage (2–3 large suitcases + cabin box + laptop): flying is the most practical option. Extra baggage on a flight: ~80–120 € per additional bag. For slightly larger volumes: door-to-door services like Eurosender, NACEX, Correos Paq (40–80 € per item). At that point it's not really a "removal" — it's parcel shipping.
Does my university registration count for the Canary Islands health card?
Yes. Once you register with the local council in the town where you're studying, you are entitled to a health card from the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), an assigned GP and hospital care. To keep your original health card as a backup during the holidays, stay registered at your family home (you can be on two registers if you genuinely spend part of the year in each place, although this is not the norm).
Am I entitled to the 75% resident discount as a student?
Yes. Once you register in the Canary Islands and obtain your registration certificate (free of charge), you are entitled to the 75% discount on flights and ferries to the mainland. It is one of the biggest savings available to Canary Islands university students. Flights from Tenerife to Madrid drop from 150–250 € to 40–60 € with the resident discount.
Is it better to rent a flat, stay in university halls or take a room in a shared flat?
Approximate costs in the Canary Islands (2026): room in a shared flat 300–450 €/month (most affordable), university halls 400–700 €/month (meals and services included), studio flat 500–800 €/month, 2-bedroom flat 750–1,200 € (sharing with another student halves this to 400–600 €). For your first year, halls or a shared flat are usually better for socialising.
