Storing Your Belongings When Moving Abroad: A Complete Guide
Last updated: 30 June 2026 • 6 min readFor anyone planning to study, work, relocate or travel long term overseas, putting your belongings into storage when moving abroad is the most practical way to keep your household items safe at a reasonable cost. Starting a new life in another country is exciting, but one of the most common questions during this time is: "What do I do with my belongings when I move abroad?" If you don't want to leave your things with someone you know, keep paying rent on an empty home or sell your valuable possessions, a professional household storage service offers a safe, organized and stress-free solution.
Why Do You Need Storage When Moving Abroad?
What Should I Do with My Belongings When Moving Abroad?
Before you move abroad, you have several options for your belongings: you can sell them, leave them with relatives or friends, keep paying rent without clearing out your home, or choose the safe option of putting them into storage.
If you are planning a long stay abroad, a household storage service is the safest solution. Selling your belongings can mean a financial loss, especially if large appliances and furniture go for less than they are really worth. You may also not want to part with family heirlooms and items of sentimental value. Leaving things with relatives or friends can lead to problems with security, moisture, dampness and unauthorized use. Keeping them in an empty home, meanwhile, can become an unnecessary burden because of rent, building fees and utility bills.
Monthly rents are especially high in big cities like Istanbul, and on top of that come building fees, utility bills and maintenance costs.
That is why storing your belongings when moving abroad lets you keep them safe without imposing on friends and family or having to sell them. Placing your belongings in a reliable storage facility with pricing based on cubic meters is both more economical and stress-free.
The Storage Process Before Moving Abroad
With a secure household storage service, your belongings are first assessed, their volume is calculated, and then they are packed, transported and placed in secure storage areas. A contract is drawn up for your belongings during this process, and insurance options are offered. Under Troy Depo Standards, you have the right to take your belongings out at any time if your circumstances change.
Decluttering and Creating an Inventory of Items to Store
The first step is deciding which items to store. Paying storage rent for unused, broken, worn-out or low-value items may not make sense. So sort your belongings before storage into three groups: items to store, items to throw away, and items to sell or donate. Then prepare an inventory list of the items to be stored. This list makes both the move and the eventual return of your belongings much easier.
How to Choose the Right Storage Facility for Your Belongings
Price should not be the only factor when choosing a storage facility. A cheap but insecure facility can cause much bigger losses in the long run. Look for a storage company that has a security system, keeps its premises clean, controls moisture and pests, offers insurance options, works with written contracts and provides moving support. At Troy Depo, we are ready to help you store your belongings securely and lighten your load as you move abroad!
How Much Does Storage Cost?
Household storage prices vary according to your needs. Prices depend on the storage volume, storage period, facility location and services such as moving, packing and insurance. Smaller volumes of personal belongings come at more affordable prices, while with full household storage the monthly fee rises as the space used increases.
Short-term storage is usually chosen for moves, renovations or temporary relocations. People looking for storage before moving abroad, on the other hand, usually need long-term storage.
To calculate the cost of household storage, first determine how much space your belongings will take up. Then settle the storage period, transport needs, packing support and insurance preference. Based on this information, a personalized quote is prepared. That way, you don't rent unnecessary space or pay more than you need to.
Packing and Preparation
Proper packing is essential to keep your belongings in good condition over a long period. Use cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, stretch film, packing tape, furniture blankets and corner protectors. Fragile items should be packed separately, and the contents should be written on each box. Electronics, large appliances and delicate items need special protection. Large appliances should be cleaned and dried before going into storage, with their doors left ajar so air can circulate. For help with packing, take a look at our article How Should I Pack My Belongings?
Storage Contract and Handover
Always sign a written contract before storage. The contract should clearly state the storage period, fees, payment plan, insurance coverage, handover terms and any additional services. Verbal agreements are not enough for long-term storage. Since you will need to manage the process remotely while you are abroad, every detail should be transparent and in writing.
What to Keep in Mind When Storing Your Belongings Before Moving Abroad
Which Items Should You Store?
When moving abroad, it is worth storing good-quality, sturdy furniture, electronics, large appliances, valuable decorative pieces, personal collections, antiques or items of sentimental value, kitchen equipment and anything else that matters to you.
Items you might sell or throw away instead of storing include broken furniture, small household appliances you don't use, low-value textiles, things in need of repair, bulky items you don't need and anything you won't use again.
Security and Insurance for Household Storage
Is There 24/7 Security at the Storage Facility?
Yes. At Troy Depo, security is provided through 24/7 CCTV, security staff and individually locked units. CCTV, alarm systems, access control and authorized personnel are all part of this security. This system helps protect your belongings from unauthorized access. Knowing that your belongings are in a secure place while you are abroad gives you great peace of mind.
Is Insurance for Stored Belongings Necessary?
Insured household storage provides extra protection against potential damage, fire, earthquakes, flooding and other unexpected events. Insurance offers important peace of mind, especially if you are storing your belongings long term.
Humidity, Pest and Temperature Control at the Storage Facility
The storage area must be clean, dry and well organized. Damp spaces can damage furniture, textiles and electronics. In facilities without pest control, fabrics, books and wooden items may be at risk. That is why the storage area should be regularly treated for pests, ventilated and inspected.
Who Uses Household Storage?
Storage for People Studying Abroad
Students going abroad for Erasmus, a master's degree, language courses or a PhD leave their belongings at reliable storage facilities. Their return dates are usually fixed, and they typically plan for 6 months to 2 years of storage. Since they will be coming back, students heading abroad choose storage instead of selling their belongings. If you are going abroad for the same reason, the smartest solution is to store your books, clothes, small furniture and personal items compactly.
Storage for People Moving Abroad for Work
For people moving abroad for work, the return date is not always clear. In this case, long-term storage with a flexible term is the best choice. Furniture, large appliances and office equipment should be stored with insurance.
Storage for Families Moving Abroad
When a family moves abroad, there are more belongings to deal with. That is why a professional on-site survey, a cubic meter calculation and a detailed inventory are essential. Children's items, kitchenware, furniture and seasonal items should be sorted into separate categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my belongings when moving abroad?
When moving abroad, you can sell your belongings, leave them with relatives, keep them at home or use a professional storage service. If you are looking for a long-term, secure solution, professional household storage is one of the most sensible options.
How much does household storage cost?
Household storage prices depend on the volume of your belongings in cubic meters, the storage period, location, packing, transport and insurance coverage. For an exact price, the volume of your belongings should be calculated and you should get a detailed quote from the company.
Who should I leave my belongings with when moving abroad?
Valuable and bulky items should be entrusted to a professional storage company rather than relatives or friends. That way, your belongings are protected securely, under contract and with insurance.
What is the minimum storage period?
Many companies apply a minimum storage period of 3 months. However, this can vary from company to company. More flexible terms may be available for long-term storage.
What should I look for in a storage contract?
The contract should clearly state the fee, term, insurance coverage, payment method, handover terms, additional services and liability for damage. Always check whether there are any hidden fees.
Which items are worth storing?
Good-quality furniture, large appliances, electronics, books, personal archives, seasonal items and pieces of sentimental value can all be stored. Paying storage fees for broken, old or worthless items may not make sense.
What is household storage insurance, and do I need it?
Household storage insurance protects your belongings against potential damage, fire, flooding and other unexpected events. Insurance is recommended, especially for long-term storage.
Why is it risky to leave belongings with relatives?
Belongings left at a relative's or friend's home can be exposed to moisture, dampness, knocks, loss or use by others. And since there is no formal contract or insurance, it may be unclear who is responsible if something gets damaged.
Is it better to sell or store my belongings?
If your belongings are good quality, new, expensive or have sentimental value, storing them may make more sense. Old or broken items and things you won't use again, however, are better sold, donated or otherwise disposed of.
Don't Leave Your Belongings to Chance When Moving Abroad
Storing your belongings when moving abroad is a safe, economical and practical solution, especially for long periods away. You can protect your belongings with a professional system without having to sell them or impose on relatives and friends.
With the right storage company, your belongings are packed, transported, insured and kept in secure facilities. So while you focus on your new life abroad, your belongings are kept safe in Türkiye.
Before moving abroad, take a good look at your belongings. Set aside what is valuable, weed out what you don't need and work with a reliable storage company. This decision helps you protect both your budget and your belongings.
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