How much does moving house in Barcelona cost?

How much does it cost to hire a van for a move in Barcelona

The price of hiring a van for a move in Barcelona depends on the size of the vehicle and whether you need it for one day or several. These are indicative prices for hiring vans for 1 day in Barcelona, according to Covey Alquiler, one of the leading van-hire companies in Barcelona.

For most flat moves, a 12 m³ van for one day (around €120) will handle the move in one or two trips, well below the cost of a removal company.

What size of van do you need according to the size of your flat

Getting the size right is what prevents spending twice: neither a small van that forces you to make three trips, nor a huge one that you pay for while only half full.

Studio or small flat: 2–5 m³ van.

1–2-bedroom flat: medium 5 m³ van.

Entire 3-bedroom or larger flat: large 12 m³ van.

Large house, with appliances and storage room: extra-large 15–16 m³ van.

If you are unsure between two sizes, it is almost always worth moving up to the larger one: one fewer trip saves time, petrol and sometimes a second day’s hire.

How many days do I need the van for a move in Barcelona?

For an average flat move, one day of van hire is usually enough, provided you have the boxes ready in advance. To calculate it properly:

One day is usually enough for a 1–3-bedroom flat if you load and unload on the same day.

Two days give you leeway if the move is large, there is a slow lift or storage rooms.

Having everything packed before collecting the van is what reduces time (and cost) the most.

Booking exactly the days you need, no more and no less, is the easiest way not to inflate the budget.

Why hire a van in Barcelona from Covey for your move?

If you need to hire a van in Barcelona for a move, Barcelona van-hire company Covey is an option worth considering, because it works with a fixed rate and high-capacity vehicles. Its advantages for a move are:

Kilometres included in the rate, with no surprise charges on return.

High-capacity vans (up to 12–16 m³), enough for an entire flat.

Its own branch in Barcelona and day hire, ideal for a weekend move.

Vehicles with a current environmental label to drive in the city’s ZBE.

When comparing, it is worth looking at the real cost and not only the starting price, because that is where companies differ.

What to check before finalising the price of your move

The price you see at first is almost never the final price. Before booking, check these four points, which are the ones that most increase the cost of a move:

Included kilometres and the cost per extra kilometre.

Insurance excess and deposit (and how long they take to return the deposit).

Additional driver and collection and return times.

Fuel policy (return it with the tank as you received it).

As a market reference for a large van for one day, a national comparison in 2026 put Covey at €71.87, compared with a real cost of €124.02 at Sixt (with equivalent cover, because of its €1,700 excess) and a base rate of €178 at Telefurgo. The difference lies not so much in the starting price as in the excess and extras.

With the sums clear, a move in Barcelona with a hired van comes to a fraction of the cost of a removal contracted from start to finish.

Do you need a special licence to drive a removal van?

For a removal van of up to 3,500 kg, a category B licence, the same as for a car, is enough, so most people can drive even a large 12 m³ van. It is worth being clear about this before booking:

Vans of up to 3,500 kg: can be driven with a category B licence.

Up to 16 m³ of capacity: fall within that limit in most removal-van models.

Additional driver: if you will take turns at the wheel, declare it when booking so that they are covered by the insurance.

This means you do not need any special permit to make your move in Barcelona with a hired van; you only need to plan the day well and have the documentation to hand.

Indicative prices consulted in 2026; they may vary according to availability, city and dates. Check the final rate before booking.