Storage or
self-storage
In Spanish they are two different words for two different products, and picking the wrong one shows up in the price.
A trastero is self-storage: your own space, usually 24-hour keycode access. A guardamuebles keeps your things in a sealed container in a warehouse and moves them for you, with mediated access. If you will be going in often, self-storage. If what you want is not to touch anything until the new house, full storage.
The differences that decide
Compared| Trastero (self-storage) | Guardamuebles (full storage) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is measured | Square metres | Cubic metres |
| Access | Usually 24 h with a code | By appointment, with staff |
| Who loads it | You | The firm, usually charged separately |
| Integrates with the move | Not necessarily | Yes, that is its purpose: +EUR 10 to 30 per m3 |
| Minimum term | Often none | Depends on contract; six months is seen |
| Best for | Things you will come back for | Parking a whole house between two dates |
Ranges published by operators in 2026, not survey data. A removals price with no volume in cubic metres and no date is not data.
Questions about the two
Frequently askedWhat is the difference between guardamuebles and trastero?
A trastero is a space you rent and manage yourself, with free access. A guardamuebles is a service: the firm packs, transports, seals and stores, and access is by appointment. Confusing the two is the most common source of price surprises in this service.
Which is cheaper?
For the same volume, self-storage is usually cheaper per month because it includes no labour. Full storage wins when you are already paying for a move: there it is +EUR 10 to 30 per m3 on a lorry that is coming anyway.
Can I switch from one to the other?
You can, but it means loading and unloading again, which is precisely the expensive part. Worth getting right first time.
Which protects my furniture better?
Traditional storage packs and seals, which reduces handling. But what actually protects you is the cover you contracted, not the format. Third-party liability cover is not insurance on your furniture: it covers damage to third parties. What protects your contents is goods-in-transit cover based on a valued inventory, and items worth more than EUR 600 must be listed separately.
Do both have climate control?
Both advertise it, especially modern facilities. On a coast with salt air, if you are storing wood, documents or electronics, insist that climate control is in the contract and not just on the website.
Do I need a municipal permit to load for storage?
If the lorry occupies road or pavement at your address, yes. The permit depends on the occupation of the public way, not on where the furniture ends up.