1 in 4 Students Stressed About Moving & Storage

Packing, storing, and transporting belongings is one of the biggest hidden stress factors for university students across Europe, new data shows.

Student life often means living in temporary spaces. From dorm rooms to shared flats and short-term rentals. Between moving in, moving out, and travelling home for breaks, managing personal belongings becomes an ongoing challenge. The lack of permanent storage options can turn every end-of-term move into a stressful, time-consuming process.

A recent survey commissioned by LoveSpace, a UK-based storage provider, found that 24.1% of students feel overwhelmed by the logistics of moving their belongings at the end of term - whether that means packing boxes, finding somewhere to store them, or getting everything home without a car.

These findings reflect a broader pattern across Europe. The student population is increasingly mobile, with more people studying abroad or splitting their academic year between cities. As a result, short-term storage and pickup services have become an essential part of student life - bridging the gap between academic terms and offering peace of mind for those without a car or fixed accommodation.

A widespread issue

Across Europe, more than 20 million students are enrolled in higher education. Each summer, millions of them relocate between university halls, shared flats, and family homes - often with limited space, transport, or time.

Unlike long-term tenants, students face frequent moves and unpredictable housing situations. Finding reliable, affordable short-term storage is often harder than it seems, especially in major university cities like London, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam, where student accommodation turnover is extremely high.

Based on average trends, an estimated 2–3 million students each year look for temporary or short-term storage between terms or while studying abroad. This includes international students returning home for the summer and domestic students moving between cities for internships or new courses.

This seasonal migration creates a recurring demand spike that many storage operators now prepare for months in advance. It’s also changing how providers design their services, offering student packages with flexible pricing, short rental periods, and free pickup and delivery to meet these needs efficiently.

The LoveSpace study, which surveyed 348 UK students, highlights how these practical issues quickly add up. Although the survey focused on the UK, similar stories emerge in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Many universities don’t offer summer storage options, forcing students to choose between costly removals or leaving belongings with friends. The rise of convenient, app-based storage solutions shows how this market is adapting to real-life student struggles.

• 13.2% said packing up all their belongings was a top concern.

• 6.0% struggled to find suitable storage.

• 6.3% were stressed about travelling home with everything.

When added together, these figures highlight a simple truth: logistical stress is just as real as academic stress. For many, moving out can feel more exhausting than exams, especially for those studying in another country or living without family support nearby.

Although exams and coursework remain students’ biggest pressures, logistical and housing-related stress is increasingly significant - especially for those studying far from home.

With international study on the rise, more students are searching for ways to simplify their transitions between terms. Affordable, flexible storage helps them travel freely, save on moving costs, and avoid the hassle of transporting everything home, especially when flights, trains, or shipping costs are high.

Other concerns include:

• 8.6% worried about losing deposits after cleaning checks.

• 6.9% struggled with saying goodbye to friends.

• 11.2% were uncertain about what the next term would bring.

• 5.5% found moving back home difficult.

These findings reveal how student life involves much more than just studying. Emotional farewells, financial worries, and constant relocations all take their toll. Practical solutions, like having a trusted storage provider nearby, can make these transitions smoother and give students one less thing to worry about.

Seasonal storage peaks and new behaviour

The research also reflects broader European trends: demand for student storage peaks in May and June, when students move out, and again in August and September, when items are returned before term starts. Many now prefer short-term, flexible, collection-based storage rather than traditional long-term units.

This shift reflects a generational change in how young people view ownership and mobility. Students increasingly prioritise flexibility and digital convenience, booking services online, managing payments via apps, and expecting quick pickup and return options. Storage is becoming part of a broader “student lifestyle infrastructure”, alongside coworking, coliving, and flexible transport.

How The Storage Scanner supports students

At The Storage Scanner, we help students across Europe compare and book trusted storage providers, including services like LoveSpace (UK), SaveSpace (DE/CH), InboxStorage (NL), Ztorage (SE) and and many others. Our platform lists thousands of facilities, prices, and contract types - from pickup-and-delivery storage to self-storage units - so students can find the most convenient and affordable option for their situation.

Whether you’re studying abroad, moving between semesters, or heading home for the summer, The Storage Scanner simplifies the process. You can instantly compare student-friendly offers, read reviews, and choose flexible, short-term options that suit your budget, all without hidden fees or lengthy contracts.

With over 10,000 facilities listed across 13 countries, The Storage Scanner makes it easy for students to reduce the stress of moving, save money, and store their belongings safely between terms.

By connecting students directly with trusted providers, The Storage Scanner helps eliminate uncertainty during one of the most stressful times of the academic year. It’s not just about storage, it’s about giving students the freedom to focus on what really matters: studying, travelling, and enjoying their university experience.