Plenty of people in Coimbra have thought about renting a storage unit at some point. A renovation that needed clear floor space, a move with a gap between homes, a business running out of room for stock. What usually stops them is not knowing how it actually works. How long do you have to commit for? What does it cost? Can you get in whenever you want?
The answer is that self-storage is simpler than most people expect. Here’s how it works at U Can Store Coimbra, step by step.
Step 1: Work out how much space you need
This is where most people go wrong, and almost always in the same direction. They overestimate. Paying for a large unit when a smaller one would have done is the quickest way to make storage feel expensive.
Start with a rough list of what you plan to store. A few boxes of documents and seasonal items need far less room than the contents of a whole apartment, and furniture takes up less space once it’s stacked properly. Our sizing guide gives you a quick starting point.
If you’re still unsure, talk to the Coimbra team. Tell them what you’re storing and they’ll recommend a size that fits, rather than the biggest one available.
Step 2: Reserve your unit
Once you know the size, reserving is straightforward. You can request a quote through the Coimbra page, call the team on 308 802 290 or email coimbra@ucanstore.pt.
If you’d rather see the facility first, you’re welcome to visit during office hours or arrange a time to look around. It’s a good way to get a feel for the unit sizes in person, especially if you’re storing furniture and want to picture how it will fit.
Step 3: Understand the contract
This is the part that surprises people most. There’s no long lock-in.
The minimum rental period is one month. After that, your contract renews monthly, so you can stay for a few weeks or a few years depending on what you need. That flexibility is what makes storage work for short projects like renovations and moves as well as longer arrangements like business stock or household overflow.
When you start, you’ll pay your first month’s rent plus a one-month deposit. The deposit is refunded when you move out, provided everything is in order.
Step 4: Know what you’re paying
Pricing is monthly, with VAT included and no hidden fees. What you’re quoted is what you pay.
Rent is due on the 1st of each month. You can pay by bank transfer or by card at the office. It’s worth setting a reminder or a recurring transfer, as late payments attract a 20% late fee.
Insurance is also included. Every rental comes with €1,500 of cover as standard. If you’re storing items worth more than that, speak to the team about extra cover.
Step 5: Move in
Once you’re booked in, you bring your belongings and load your unit. A few tips that make moving in easier:
- Put the things you’ll need most often at the front. Seasonal items and archived paperwork can go to the back.
- Label boxes on more than one side so you can read them however they’re stacked.
- Stack heavy boxes at the bottom and leave a small walkway if you’ll be visiting regularly.
- Disassemble furniture where you can. Bed frames and tables take up far less room flat.
Step 6: Access your unit whenever you need it
Your unit is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, using your personal access code. Gate access is controlled through your mobile app, so only authorised people can enter.
That matters more than it sounds. If you run a business, you can collect stock before opening or after closing. If you’re mid-renovation, you can drop things off on a weekend without planning around office hours.
The office itself is open on working days from 09h00 to 17h00, with Saturdays by appointment. Sundays and public holidays are closed, but your access to your unit isn’t affected.
How your belongings are protected
Security is the question people ask most, and fairly so. The Coimbra facility is monitored 24/7 by a professional security company, and the gate access control means nobody gets in without authorisation. Combined with the included insurance, it means your belongings are better looked after than they would be in a garage or a spare room.
What you can’t store
Self-storage is for belongings, not anything dangerous or perishable. You can’t store:
- Food or anything perishable
- Hazardous or flammable materials
- Illegal goods
- Valuables such as cash or jewellery
- Plants, animals or any living things
If you’re unsure about a particular item, just ask the team before you bring it in.
Moving out
When you no longer need your unit, you clear it out, hand it back in good condition and your deposit is returned. That’s it.
Who uses storage in Coimbra?
Pretty much anyone who’s short on space for a while. Homeowners renovating or selling, people moving between homes, families whose living arrangements have changed, and local businesses that need room for stock, archives or equipment without paying for bigger premises. Whether it’s personal storage, business storage or vehicle storage, the process works the same way.
U Can Store Coimbra is opening soon
Our new facility at R. Fernando Marques 10, 3025-007 Coimbra is opening soon. Get in touch with the team on 308 802 290 or coimbra@ucanstore.pt to register your interest and get a quote, and we’ll help you work out exactly what you need.
