Law & Regulations — 🇩🇪 Germany

When renting a motorhome or caravan, the renter is liable only for damage caused by careless handling, while normal wear and hidden defects fall under the landlord's risk. Under the German Civil Code (BGB), the landlord must prove the renter's fault, and disputes are often settled based on the handover protocol, which should be prepared with photos of every defect. Claims for damages and rent reductions are subject to a six-month limitation period from the end of the rental contract.

The Baden-Württemberg finance court ruled that a motorhome used for overnight stays near work does not qualify as a second home for tax relief under a double household.

A caravan owner in Bielefeld intended only to change her vehicle insurance, but mismatched policy periods led the city to plan deregistration of the trailer on 12 March for lack of coverage. The old insurer informed the city on 3 March that coverage had ceased retroactively from 1 January, while the new policy was set to start on 1 April. The seasonal licence plate permits use from March to October, yet no insurance was in place on 12 March.

From January 2027, motorhomes and caravans will be able to park on a site on Lehnerstraße in Grasbrunn that was previously used as a bus parking area. The owner of a workshop on Ekkehartstraße, where up to 70 customer vehicles were parked across the area, has been served notice to terminate the lease. The municipality has also applied to reduce the speed limit on the M25 to 30 km/h from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and to install a pedestrian crossing near the Honigblume kindergarten.

More than one million motorhomes are registered in Germany, with numbers rising annually. Owners are generally allowed to park caravans and motorhomes on their own property, including gardens, especially temporarily between trips. However, if the vehicle is used as living space or parked long-term, it may be classified as a structural facility, requiring a permit. Legal expert Tobias Klingelhöfer notes that even simple parking can be inadmissible if it significantly affects neighbours. Owners are advised to check with the municipality in advance and consider neighbours' interests.

Kaarst has no public parking for caravans and almost no private offers. Own spaces are not planned. Owners seek alternatives, illegal parking remains a problem.

In Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, renting out campsite pitches or tiny houses in one's own garden requires official permission. Without approval, such pitches are considered illegal. The rules apply, among others, to the districts of Osnabrück and Minden-Lübbecke.

Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the extension of the B licence to motorhomes up to 4.25 tonnes will not apply before 26 November 2029. The EU directive requires member states to adopt national rules by 26 November 2028, but they may only apply from the later date. The Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD) criticises the long transition period, noting that national early adoption would create legal uncertainty when driving in other EU countries. A supplementary training of at least seven hours, including practical driving safety content, is under discussion.

The Bad Abbach market council approved amendments to the green space regulations. Overnight stays in motorhomes are allowed in certain cases, and fees will be charged for events on public areas.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Social Court ruled that repair costs for the gearbox and injection pump of a motorhome used as housing are not covered as housing costs under § 22 SGB II. The court distinguished between residential and mobility functions, stating that mobility costs must be covered from the standard benefit. Renting a permanent pitch on a campsite was mentioned as an alternative, but its availability in the specific case was not assessed. The Federal Social Court rejected appeals against the denial of review, leaving the rulings in force.

The city council of Geisa passed a revised usage and fee schedule for the local motorhome pitch “An der Ulster” by a majority vote, with one abstention. The daily fee increases from 10 to 15 euros. The pitch remains in operation.

The Baden-Württemberg Finance Court denied a double household tax deduction for living in a motorhome at the employer's parking. Only weekly trips home remain deductible.

In Germany, around 50,000 motorhomes are rented out annually via platforms or directly. Daily rates range from 80 to over 200 euros. Income above 256 euros per year is taxable; business registration may be required. A special rental insurance covering liability and comprehensive damage is mandatory; self-rental full coverage costs at least 1200 euros per year. A written rental contract, a deposit of 1000 to 1500 euros, and a handover protocol with photos are recommended. Free lending to friends or family usually does not require such insurance, but coverage and authorized drivers must be clarified.

Farmers in Lower Saxony can set up up to three short-stay pitches for motorhomes on agricultural land without a permit, but must notify the building authority. From the fourth pitch, the camping site ordinance applies, requiring official approval and the provision of sanitary facilities, electricity and possibly wastewater solutions. Consultant Katrin Busch from the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture notes that costs can quickly reach several thousand euros, and the additional workload for farmers increases.

The German Lawyers' Association has highlighted a special speed limit for motorhomes over 7.5 tonnes. According to a ruling by the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court on 3 September 2025, such vehicles are restricted to 80 km/h on motorways. The court rejected an appeal by a driver fined for travelling at 100 km/h, dismissing his argument that the vehicle should be treated as a passenger car under EU class M1. Fines for exceeding the limit range from €68.50 (up to 10 km/h over) to €203.50 plus one point in Flensburg (21–25 km/h over).

German motorhome insurance is valid across the EU, but minimum coverage sums in several countries are significantly lower than in Germany: in Poland and Hungary they can be 500,000 euros versus 7.5 million euros in Germany. Many policies do not cover Turkey, Morocco or the Balkans without additional foreign damage insurance. The Green Card is mandatory outside the EU, and breakdown assistance is often limited to three months and a vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Südkurier published an overview of regulations for visitors to Lake Constance. The article lists permitted and prohibited activities along the shore, including motorhome parking, lighting fires and holding gatherings. Fines apply for violations.

Unlike the Netherlands, where municipalities often restrict motorhome and caravan parking to three days, Germany has different rules. Under the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), a legally parked motorhome has no maximum parking duration, but once a caravan is unhitched, it may remain in one spot for no more than two weeks. Violations incur a €20 fine, and vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and trailers over 2 tonnes face restrictions on regular parking in residential areas between 22:00 and 06:00 and on weekends, with a €30 fine. ADAC notes that to check whether a caravan has been moved, inspectors may record the position of tyre valves: if the valve remains in the same position, it indicates the caravan has not been moved.

In Germany, there is no federal maximum parking duration for motorhomes on public roads unless signs prohibit it. Municipalities can impose time limits, such as parking disc requirements; fines for exceeding them typically range from 10 to 55 euros. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from parking in residential areas between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and all day on Sundays and public holidays. Sleeping in a motorhome is allowed if the vehicle is legally parked and no camping equipment such as chairs, tables or awnings is set up.

Since 2023, Germany has applied a zero VAT rate to the purchase of photovoltaic systems and their essential components, including stationary lithium batteries. However, this exemption does not apply to batteries used in motorhomes, even if they are connected to roof-mounted solar panels. When ordering online, buyers often confirm eligibility, which can lead to tax evasion. Tax authorities require proof of stationary use.