Moving Abroad? How to Store the Belongings You Leave Behind

When moving abroad, taking everything with you or selling everything in a hurry is not always the best solution. Take your essential documents, everyday items and genuinely valuable belongings with you. Sell or donate anything you no longer use. Good-condition furniture, clothes, books and seasonal equipment can be kept in a suitably sized storage unit in Budapest.

Moving abroad is a real-life decision for thousands of Hungarians

According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 39,643 Hungarian citizens emigrated in 2025. Austria was the destination for 23,019 people and Germany for 6,843, meaning that roughly three quarters of emigrants moved to one of these two countries. The latest international migration data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office shows how many people are affected by working, studying or starting a new life abroad.

Before the move, however, a very practical question quickly arises: what should you do with the furniture, boxes and personal belongings you leave in Hungary? If you do not yet know how long you will be away, or you may eventually return, getting rid of everything permanently may not be the right choice.

Decide first: take it, pass it on or store it?

Do not work through your home one box at a time without a plan. Start by creating four clearly separated groups. This prevents you from spending money on unnecessary transport or filling a storage unit with things you no longer need.

1. Take it with you

Keep anything required for daily life, administration, work or health with you. This includes personal documents, medical records, regular medication, essential work equipment, money and valuables.

2. Sell or donate it

If an item has not been used for years, is in poor condition or can be replaced more easily after the move, it may not be worth keeping. Selling unwanted belongings can help cover part of the moving expenses, while donating useful items gives them a second life.

3. Place it in storage

Storage is suitable for good-condition belongings that you genuinely want to use again, such as furniture, completely clean and dry clothes, books, general records, properly prepared household appliances, sports equipment and seasonal items. If you are unsure, first read our detailed guide to what is allowed and prohibited in a storage unit.

4. Do not place it in storage

A rented storage unit is not suitable for everything. Prohibited items include food, living things, money, jewellery, securities, fuel, gas, hazardous chemicals, weapons, ammunition, rubbish, waste, artwork and irreplaceable items with strong sentimental value. If the category of an item is unclear, ask the storage team before bringing it in.

When is self storage useful before moving abroad?

Renting a storage unit can be particularly useful if:

• you are taking a fixed-term job abroad;
• you are leaving for university, a scholarship or an internship;
• you do not yet know whether the move will be permanent;
• you are renting out your Budapest home but want to keep your furniture;
• your first home abroad is already furnished;
• you do not want to sell useful belongings in a hurry for less than they are worth;
• you may return to Hungary later.

If you only need a temporary solution between two homes, you may also find our guide to storage between rental apartments in Budapest helpful.

How should you prepare belongings for long-term storage?

Create a photographic inventory

List everything going into storage and photograph larger items as well as the contents of each box before sealing it. Do not label boxes with vague descriptions such as “kitchen” or “bedroom”. Use a number and a short contents list, for example: “12 - winter coats and hiking equipment”. Keep a copy of the complete inventory in cloud storage so you can access it from abroad.

Clean and dry furniture before packing it

Remove dust and dirt from furniture, then allow every surface to dry completely. Disassemble items where practical. Place screws and fittings in labelled bags and attach them securely to the corresponding piece of furniture. Protect corners with cardboard or corner guards. Avoid sealing furniture in airtight plastic for extended periods, as trapped moisture may damage the material.

For more practical preparation advice, see our article comparing seven ways to store furniture during a move.

Store clothes and textiles only when completely dry

Wash and thoroughly dry clothes before placing them in clean, well-sealed boxes. Vacuum bags can save space, but they are not always suitable for delicate or natural fabrics over long periods. Do not place heavy textile boxes on top of light or fragile packages.

Drain and air household appliances

Drain all remaining water from washing machines and dishwashers. Defrost, clean and completely dry refrigerators. Leave the refrigerator door slightly open during storage. Secure cables and protect moving parts. Remove disposable batteries and removable rechargeable batteries from electronic devices when permitted by the manufacturer's instructions.

Arrange boxes so you can still reach them

Place heavy boxes and items you are unlikely to need at the back and near the floor. Keep lighter or potentially useful packages closer to the entrance. Leave a narrow access route and turn labels towards the door. Do not build unstable towers of boxes or lean items directly against the unit door.

What size storage unit will you need?

The required size depends not only on the quantity of your belongings but also on their shape and how efficiently they can be packed. Disassembled furniture, consistently sized boxes and sensible use of vertical space can significantly reduce the floor area needed.

Do not estimate the unit size solely from the floor area of your home. List all larger furniture, count the boxes and mention bicycles, sports equipment or large household appliances. Our storage unit size guide provides a useful first estimate, and our team can also help you choose.

What should you check before choosing a storage unit?

• Accessibility: can you reach the facility easily by car or moving vehicle?
• Access arrangements: when and how can you enter the building and reach your unit?
• Loading facilities: are lifts, trolleys or other moving equipment available?
• Storage environment: is the building clean, dry and temperature-controlled?
• Security: how is entry controlled and how is your individual unit locked?
• Flexibility: can you move to a smaller or larger unit later?
• Communication: can you reach the customer service team easily from abroad?

City Storage Budapest offers storage units from 1 to 50 m². A clean, temperature-controlled environment, controlled access and free moving equipment can be particularly useful for longer storage periods. You can learn more about the central Budapest location on the City Storage facility near St Stephen's Basilica page.

What if you need something while you are abroad?

Before signing the rental agreement, ask whether another person may access the unit on your behalf and what the correct procedure is. Do not pass on an access card or other entry credentials informally. Confirm the rules for authorisation, identification and any restrictions with the customer service team in advance.

Mark boxes that may be needed while you are away and keep them near the entrance. If someone has to collect an item for you, provide the exact box number rather than a vague description.

Moving abroad checklist

30 days before departure

• sort your belongings into four groups;
• measure larger furniture and appliances;
• request a quote based on the estimated quantity;
• start selling or donating items you will not keep.

14 days before departure

• obtain strong boxes and suitable packing materials;
• create a photographic inventory;
• clean and dry everything intended for storage;
• disassemble larger pieces of furniture.

7 days before departure

• number and label every box;
• separate prohibited items and the belongings travelling with you;
• plan the layout of the storage unit;
• confirm who may access the unit while you are away.

Frequently asked questions

What should I place in storage when moving abroad?

Store good-condition belongings that you want to use again but that are not practical to take abroad. These may include furniture, clothes, books, seasonal and sports equipment, and properly prepared household appliances.

Can I store money, jewellery or important personal documents?

Money, jewellery and securities must not be placed in the unit. Take identity documents, irreplaceable records and items of sentimental value with you, or use a secure form of specialist storage appropriate for the item.

How do I choose the right storage unit size?

Create an itemised list, measure larger objects, count your boxes and identify which furniture can be disassembled. If you are unsure, ask for help. An oversized unit wastes space, while an undersized one makes safe and accessible packing difficult.

Can someone access the unit on my behalf while I am abroad?

This depends on the facility's entry, identification and authorisation rules. Always make arrangements with the customer service team in writing and never share access credentials informally.

How long should I rent a storage unit for?

Base the rental period on your expected time abroad, but allow some extra time. When returning home, finding a property and moving in can take longer than planned. Ask about extension terms before signing the agreement.

Prepare now so returning home is easier later

Organised storage is not about hiding everything behind rows of boxes. It is about preserving the things you will genuinely need again while giving yourself the freedom to begin a new chapter without unnecessary baggage.

If you are moving abroad and are unsure which unit size would be suitable, complete the City Storage quote request form. Tell us about the furniture, boxes and equipment you want to store, and we will help you choose a size that matches your needs.