A student move is a different job
On a family move the question is how to transport a whole flat. On a student move it is the opposite: the question is what is even worth taking.
A typical student consignment is 2 to 5 m³ — a few boxes, a computer, a bicycle, perhaps a mattress. That is less than half a van, so paying for a whole vehicle makes no sense at all.
On top of that come two constraints families do not have: the budget is thin and the date is tied to the start of term or to the hall of residence opening. Those two collide often, and that is where most of the money is lost.
A part load is almost always the answer
For a consignment under 8 m³ a part load is cheaper than a whole van — usually between a third and a half of the price. At a student's 3 to 5 m³ the gap is at its widest.
The price goes by the cubic metre rather than by the kilometre, which is what makes even a distant destination bearable for a small consignment. There is a full comparison in part load or a whole van.
The catch is the date: the run leaves when there is enough freight for that direction. To Germany and Austria that is as a rule monthly; to Spain, every two to three months.
So tell us the date as soon as you have your acceptance letter, not when term starts. A month ahead means you choose the run; a week ahead means you pay for a whole van.
What is not worth taking
The arithmetic is simple: if an item costs less than about €50 and takes up half a cubic metre, it is cheaper to buy it there.
By that rule, leave behind: the mattress and bedding, kitchen crockery, small furniture, a tumble dryer, old course books.
Take: your computer and electronics, a bicycle, the books you actually use, winter clothes, an instrument if you play one, and anything of personal value.
If you are moving into a hall of residence, check what is already in the room. Most European halls provide a bed, a mattress, a desk and a wardrobe — so half the list is gone before you have written it.
Planning a move?
Tell us what needs moving and we will give you a firm price.
Paperwork students often overlook
Even a small consignment needs a customs inventory — a list of the goods with estimated values. Customs asks for it regardless of size. We prepare the list; you sign it.
The other thing is residence registration at the far end, and the deadlines are short: two weeks in Germany, three days in Austria. Student halls usually issue the landlord's confirmation themselves, but ask for it at check-in rather than a fortnight later.
How to make it cheaper still
- Share a consignment with someone. Two students going to the same city in the same month can split one space allocation.
- Pack it tightly and squarely. You pay for volume, and a badly packed 3 m³ occupies 4.
- Send the bicycle with its wheel off. It halves the space and protects the derailleur.
- Book outside September. Late August and September are the busiest weeks of the year on student routes.
In short
A student move is settled with one telephone call a month in advance, a part load, and a list you have crossed everything off that can be bought at the other end.
Prices by city are on the international removals page, or call +381 66 50-40-30-9.
Frequently asked questions
What does a student move to the EU cost?
For a 3 to 5 m³ consignment by part load, usually between a third and a half of the whole-van price on the same route. It is charged by the cubic metre, not by the kilometre.
How far in advance should I get in touch?
A month. That way you choose a run that suits you. A week before departure usually means there is no part load going, so you pay for a whole van.
What is not worth taking?
Anything costing under about €50 that takes half a cubic metre — mattress, crockery, small furniture. Most European halls of residence provide a bed, mattress, desk and wardrobe.
Does a small consignment still need a customs inventory?
Yes. Customs asks for a list of goods with estimated values regardless of the size of the consignment. We prepare it; you sign it.
Can I send a bicycle?
Yes, and it is a common item. The bicycle is packed separately with a wheel removed and the derailleur protected, and charged by the space it takes.
What should I carry myself?
Laptop, documents, diplomas and medicines. The consignment can arrive a day or two after you, and the insurance does not cover documents or valuables.
Marko Mišulić
KOMBI-KOMBI has been running since 2013, and in that time several thousand homes and businesses have gone through our vans in Belgrade, across Serbia and around Europe. Everything on this blog comes from what our crews actually meet on the job.