Every September and January the same scene repeats: hundreds of Spanish students load boxes, bikes and books towards a European city. A student move is not a full-house move, but it has its own rules to avoid paying too much.

How much volume a student has

A student room usually takes 5–12 m³: clothes, books, laptop, kitchen basics, a bike and little else. If you share a flat, the group can fill a van or a pallet. That volume matters more than the number of boxes.

Groupage: the smartest option

Sharing a truck with other shipments to the same area cuts the price by 25–50%. In exchange, you wait a few days. For Erasmus in Lyon, Lisbon or Berlin, groupage is usually the best value.

What to bring and what to buy there

  • Seasonal clothes and shoes for the climate.
  • Laptop, chargers and plug adapters.
  • Essential books and notes; the rest, digital.
  • Basic kitchenware and bedding; large furniture is bought or rented locally.
  • Bike: compare transport cost with buying one there.

Documents and arrival

Carry ID or passport, enrolment letter, health insurance and tenancy agreement if you have one. Many countries require address registration on arrival. Keep the inventory if you travel with valuables.

Budget

A student move to Europe can range from €300 to €900 in groupage, depending on city and volume. Use the calculator and select room or studio. Share the truck with classmates to split the cost.

University cities we serve: Lyon, Porto, Coimbra, Bologna, Berlin and Vienna.