Yes, you can temporarily store your household goods when moving back from Spain. Not only is this possible, but for many people it is also a practical and smart choice. Storage offers the flexibility you need when your new home in the Netherlands is not yet available, or when your situation after returning is temporarily uncertain. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about temporary storage during an international return move.

How does temporary storage work during an international move?

During an international move, your household goods are packed, transported, and temporarily stored in a secure storage facility until you are ready to have everything delivered to your permanent address. The storage is organized as part of the moving process, so you do not have to arrange yourself how and where your belongings are kept.

In practice, it works as follows: the movers collect your household goods in Spain, transport them to the Netherlands, and place everything in a storage unit. Once your new home is available, the household goods are delivered from storage and placed in the desired location. We have our own storage facilities, which means your household goods remain in trusted hands throughout the entire process.

An important detail when moving within Europe is that the storage seamlessly connects to the transport. You do not need to engage two separate parties. Everything, from packing and loading in Spain to unloading and storing in the Netherlands, falls under one coordinated plan. This saves not only time but also the stress of coordinating between different service providers.

When is temporary storage useful during a return move?

Temporary storage is useful when there is a gap between the moment you leave your home in Spain and the moment you can permanently move into a place in the Netherlands. This happens more often than people expect, especially during an international return move involving multiple parties and timelines.

Situations in which storage offers a concrete solution:

Your new home in the Netherlands is not yet available or is being renovated
You are temporarily staying with family or in a rental property and do not have space for your full household
You want to have your household goods collected in Spain in advance, but prefer to travel later yourself
You are selling your home in Spain and already have a moving date, but the purchase agreement in the Netherlands has not yet been signed
You want to take your time deciding what to keep, sell, or give away

Moving back from Spain to the Netherlands is a big step, both emotionally and practically. Storage gives you the space to take that step at your own pace, without your household goods being the limiting factor.

What are the costs of temporary storage after a move from Spain?

The costs of temporary storage during an international move depend on the volume of your household goods, the duration of storage, and the specific services you use. There is no fixed price that applies to everyone, because every move is customized.

Factors that influence the price include:

Volume: How many cubic meters does your household take up? A larger household requires more storage space and therefore a higher monthly storage fee.
Duration: Short-term storage of a few weeks is generally cheaper per month than long-term storage, although there are sometimes favorable rates for longer periods.
Additional services: Packing and unpacking service, assembly and disassembly of furniture, or a handyman service upon delivery are additional options that influence the total price.
Insurance: The cost of insurance during the storage period is calculated separately and depends on the insured value of your household goods.

We always recommend requesting a customized quote, so that you get a complete and transparent picture of what to expect. This way, you will not be faced with any surprises.

How long can your household goods safely remain in storage?

Your household goods can in principle remain in storage for as long as you need, from a few weeks to several months or even longer. There is no fixed maximum period, but experience shows that most people returning from Spain keep their belongings in storage for between four and twelve weeks.

Several factors are important for safe and undamaged storage. First, the quality of the storage facility itself. Our storage location in Spijkenisse has an A++++-sustainability classification and is equipped for professional, climate-conscious storage of household goods. Second, the way your household goods are packed and stacked. Professional packing materials and a thorough inventory prevent damage and ensure that everything is neat and complete upon delivery.

If you need a longer storage period, it is advisable to periodically discuss the status of your storage with your move coordinator. This keeps everything organized and allows you to schedule delivery at any time when your situation permits.

What happens to your insurance during the storage period?

During the storage period, your household goods are not automatically covered by your regular contents insurance, which is linked to your home address. It is therefore important to arrange separately that your belongings are also insured during transport and storage.

With a professional international move, a transport insurance is offered that can cover both the transport and the storage period. This insurance is based on the declared value of your household goods and covers damage caused by fire, theft, water, and transport accidents. When taking out the insurance, always explicitly ask whether the coverage continues during storage, and until what point.

We advise clients to estimate the insured value realistically. A declaration that is too low saves nothing if something really goes wrong. Have your move coordinator inform you about this, as they can help you choose appropriate coverage that matches the value and duration of your storage.

How do you combine storage with a return move from Spain to the Netherlands?

Combining storage with a return move from Spain to the Netherlands works most smoothly when you arrange everything with a single party. This means: one point of contact, one schedule, and one coordinated process from collection in Spain to delivery in the Netherlands, including the interim storage period.

From our branch in Malaga, we serve the Andalusia region, from Malaga to Marbella and Cadiz. This is precisely the region where many Dutch people live who decide to return after their Spanish adventure. The combination of a local presence in Spain and our own storage facilities in the Netherlands makes it possible to manage the entire process in-house, including the required international transport documentation.

The steps in a combined return move with storage typically look like this:

Intake and inventory: A move coordinator maps out your household goods and draws up a schedule.
Packing and loading in Spain: Professional movers carefully pack everything and load the truck.
Transport to the Netherlands: Your household goods are transported to our storage location in Spijkenisse.
Storage: Your belongings are stored safely and in an organized manner until you are ready.
Delivery to your new address: At the time of your choosing, everything is delivered, placed, and assembled if required.

Would you also like to know how to bring your car along during a return move? Then it is good to know that when importing a vehicle to the Netherlands, a BPM exemption may apply, which can save you considerably in costs. Our move coordinators will guide you through this as well.

With more than a hundred years of experience and a branch in both the Netherlands and Spain, we know exactly what is involved in a return move. Whether you need storage for weeks or months: we ensure that your household goods are kept safe until you are ready. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation about your situation. Want to know more about our complete approach? Then take a look at our relocation services.

Veelgestelde vragen

Kan ik zelf bepalen wanneer mijn inboedel uit opslag wordt afgeleverd?

Ja, de afleverdatum plan je in overleg met je movecoördinator op het moment dat jou het beste uitkomt. Je bent dus niet gebonden aan een vaste deadline. Zodra je nieuwe woning beschikbaar is, neem je contact op en wordt de levering zo snel mogelijk ingepland, inclusief het neerzetten en eventueel monteren van meubels.

Wat als ik niet precies weet hoeveel opslagruimte ik nodig heb?

Dat is geen probleem. Tijdens de intake maakt een movecoördinator een gedetailleerde inventarisatie van je inboedel, op basis waarvan het benodigde volume nauwkeurig wordt berekend. Zo betaal je alleen voor de ruimte die je daadwerkelijk gebruikt en kom je achteraf niet voor onverwachte kosten te staan.

Kan ik tijdens de opslagperiode nog spullen toevoegen of ophalen uit de opslagruimte?

In de meeste gevallen is het mogelijk om tussentijds toegang te krijgen tot je opgeslagen inboedel, maar dit is afhankelijk van de specifieke afspraken en de inrichting van de opslagfaciliteit. Bespreek dit wens vooraf met je movecoördinator, zodat hier rekening mee gehouden kan worden bij het inpakken en stapelen van je spullen. Een goede inventarisatie maakt het bovendien eenvoudiger om specifieke items snel terug te vinden.

Wat is de grootste fout die mensen maken bij het plannen van tijdelijke opslag na een terugverhuizing?

De meest voorkomende fout is de opslagperiode te optimistisch inschatten. Veel mensen denken dat ze binnen twee tot drie weken een nieuwe woning hebben, maar in de praktijk duurt het regelmatig langer door vertragingen bij de koopakte, verbouwingen of zoektijden op de krappe Nederlandse woningmarkt. Plan daarom altijd een ruimere opslagperiode in dan je denkt nodig te hebben; je betaalt immers alleen voor de tijd dat je spullen daadwerkelijk opgeslagen staan.

Is mijn inboedel ook verzekerd tijdens het transport van Spanje naar de opslaglocatie in Nederland?

Ja, een goede transportverzekering dekt zowel de periode tijdens het transport als de opslagperiode zelf. Controleer bij het afsluiten altijd of de dekking naadloos aansluit op beide fases, en vraag expliciet tot welk moment de verzekering geldig is. Zorg er ook voor dat de opgegeven waarde van je inboedel realistisch is, zodat je bij eventuele schade volledig gedekt bent.

Hoe vroeg van tevoren moet ik opslag en transport regelen bij een terugverhuizing vanuit Spanje?

Het is sterk aan te raden om minimaal zes tot acht weken van tevoren contact op te nemen met een internationale verhuizer. In drukke periodes, zoals de zomermaanden, kan de beschikbaarheid van transportcapaciteit en opslagruimte beperkt zijn. Hoe eerder je een afspraak maakt voor een inventarisatie en offerte, hoe meer flexibiliteit je hebt in de planning van je verhuisdatum.

Wat gebeurt er met mijn inboedel als ik beslis dat ik toch niet terugkeer naar Nederland?

Als je plannen veranderen tijdens de opslagperiode, zijn er meerdere opties. Je kunt je inboedel laten retourneren naar Spanje, laten doorsturen naar een ander Europees land, of in overleg beslissen wat er met specifieke items gebeurt. Bespreek deze scenario’s bij voorkeur vooraf met je movecoördinator, zodat je weet welke flexibiliteit je hebt en wat de eventuele kosten zijn van een gewijzigde bestemming.

Can you temporarily store your household goods when moving back from Spain?