Comparison · 6 min
They're two of the biggest self storage names in Europe, yet they barely fight over the same customer. The truth is that the choice between Shurgard and Bluespace is usually settled before you compare price: by the country you're in.
Shurgard is the largest self storage operator in Europe, with a strong presence in the centre and north of the continent: the Netherlands, France, Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Nordics. Bluespace was born in Spain and dominates the Iberian Peninsula, expanding into France, Portugal and Italy.
In other words: across much of Europe, only one of the two is actually near you. The real comparison is rarely price against price, it's which one covers your city.
If you're in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Berlin or the big northern cities, Shurgard tends to have more units and central locations. Its scale brings standardisation: extended access, climate control in much of the estate and transparent online booking.
For anyone moving between central and northern European countries, having the same brand in several places makes it easy to repeat the experience without surprises.
In Spain and Portugal, Bluespace is usually the more widespread option, with well-placed urban units in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto. It's known for new, clean facilities and flexible contract terms.
For anyone living in Iberia, it effectively shows up first, and the comparison becomes Bluespace against smaller local operators, not against Shurgard.
Since the two barely overlap, focus on what matters with any operator: whether the unit covers the size you need, whether access fits your routine, whether the final price (with fees and insurance) is clear, and whether the contract is monthly and flexible. A big brand helps with trust, but it doesn't replace checking this case by case.
Before signing, it's worth reading the UK-market comparison in Big Yellow vs Safestore, which details these criteria for a pair that genuinely competes for the same cities.
In our directory you'll find real operators by European city, from Shurgard's big markets to Bluespace's, with an active site and verifiable address. Compare via London, Edinburgh and other cities.
Not sure which one serves your neighbourhood in Europe? Ask our free search with your city and how long you'll need it, and we'll return good-price, flexible-contract options.