Self Storage in Spain: Market & City Overview

Spain has become one of Europe’s most dynamic self storage markets. With 582 providers and nearly 1,400 modern facilities listed by The Storage Scanner, it ranks among the largest national markets in Europe. Storage options range from classic self storage units to container storage, garage boxes, lockers, and pick-up & delivery services.

The national averages give a clear picture of affordability: the average monthly rent is €103.88, with units averaging 4.22 m² in size. That works out to just €24.60 per m² - among the most expensive rates in Europe. This can be explained by the following two factors:

• Facilities are often located in inner-city areas, hence rental prices are higher.

• Units are relatively small versus the European average (4 m² in Spain vs. ca 10 m² in the rest of Europe). Smaller units often have a higher price per m².

A Self Storage Market of Many Players

One defining feature of the Spanish market is its structure. Compared to countries like France or Germany, Spain has a high number of smaller, local providers. Yet alongside these independents, some larger operators stand out, including Bluespace, Tu Trastero, and Necesito un Trastero, which have built strong brand recognition and nationwide footprints.

This mix of local and national operators creates both competition and variety, making Spain a particularly dynamic market for customers.

City-Level Insights

Self Storage in Madrid:

With 254 facilities and 90 providers, Madrid is by far the largest self storage market in Spain. Units rent for an average of €118 per month, with relatively small average sizes of 3.9 m², translating to a higher €30.4 per m². This reflects both the density of the capital and the strong demand from households and businesses alike.

Self Storage in Barcelona:

Barcelona comes second, with 214 facilities and 70 providers. Average rents stand at €136 per month, slightly higher than Madrid, but with units averaging 4.4 m² the effective cost is €30.9 per m². Bluespace, in particular, has a strong presence here, alongside a mix of smaller operators.

Self Storage in Valencia:

Valencia offers 84 facilities and 38 providers. With average rents of €78 per month for 3.9 m² units, the effective price is €19.9 per m² – much lower than in Madrid or Barcelona. This makes Valencia one of the more affordable urban markets in Spain, while still showing strong growth.

Self Storage in Málaga:

Málaga, with 70 facilities and 22 providers, is another key market. Average rents are €86 per month for units of 4.4 m², equating to €19.7 per m². Demand is driven both by locals and by the strong expat community along the Costa del Sol.

Other Notable Cities

Beyond the big four, Spain’s self storage landscape is rich and diverse:

• Sevilla (39 facilities) averages €82 per month, or €25.1 per m².

• Palma de Mallorca (45 facilities) is notable for its high €/m² prices (€32.6 per m²), likely influenced by island real estate dynamics and wealth levels.

• Gijón is another standout, with smaller units (2.3 m²) but a high effective cost of €39.9 per m², making it the most expensive on a square metre basis in Spain.

• Zaragoza, Alicante, Bilbao, Vigo, Murcia, and Córdoba all have active but smaller markets, serving local and regional demand.

Why Do Spaniards Use Self Storage?

The drivers of demand are similar to those across Europe:

• Households looking for space during moves, renovations, or lifestyle transitions.

• Small businesses and e-commerce using storage for stock management.

• Students and seasonal workers seeking short-term space.

• Expats and second-home owners, especially in coastal regions, requiring flexible storage solutions.

The predominance of inner-city facilities makes self storage particularly appealing in Spain, where urban apartments are often compact and additional storage space is scarce.

Pick-Up & Delivery Storage

Spain also has a growing pick-up & delivery storage segment, where operators collect items directly from the customer’s home and return them on request. A key player here is Box2Box, active in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Sevilla. While still a niche compared to traditional storage, this model is gaining traction in urban centres where convenience is king.

Data Overview

Conclusion

Spain’s self storage market is one of the most dynamic in Europe. Madrid and Barcelona dominate in scale, but coastal and secondary cities such as Málaga, Valencia, and Palma are quickly growing. While Madrid and Barcelona have the largest number of facilities, Palma and Gijón stand out as the most expensive on a €/m² basis - likely a reflection of local real estate pressures, island dynamics, and higher wealth levels.

What makes Spain unique in the European context is the urban focus and relatively small unit sizes. Unlike Germany or France, where large facilities can be found in rural and suburban areas, Spain’s storage stock is concentrated in cities, often catering to short-term or flexible needs.

Combined with the growing pick-up & delivery segment (led by Box2Box), Spain is proving to be a flexible and rapidly expanding market, well on track to continue its growth trajectory across both major cities and regional hubs.