Netherlands
At the Dordt Open caravan show in Dordrecht, new models increasingly resemble compact homes. Visitors prefer models with bathrooms, kitchens and spacious beds over second-hand options. The Netherlands has over 409,000 registered caravans, and sales of new ones rose 10% in the first half of the year. Organizers expect around 10,000 visitors.
🇳🇱 Netherlands — OpenVan.camp
722
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1.1k per week
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4.6k per month
With school holidays over, older campers are hitting the road, and motorhomes are a popular choice among them. Such a vehicle is often not cheap, but a dream may justify the expense. ED reporters visited Camping Ter Spegelt in Eersel and Camperplaats Croy in Aarle-Rixtel.
On Monday afternoon, a 79-year-old actor from Friesland, born in Burgum, got his Hymer camper stuck in the tunnel on Rydwei near Rottevalle. He was not injured. It is suspected that the driver misjudged the height.
Fuel prices ·
Netherlands
cheapest in EU
€2.56 here
priciest in EU
Diesel
▲ +0.70%
$2.98/L
€2.56/L
Petrol 95
▲ +3.50%
$3.00/L
€2.58/L
LPG
▼ -0.20%
$1.33/L
€1.14/L
Fill the tank
80 L
$238.21
Consumption
10 L/100km
$29.78
Camperbeurs Hardenberg, held from 18 to 20 September at Evenementenhal Hardenberg, will feature a record number of activities: 50 presentations across three theatres and more than 150 exhibitors in eight halls. The programme includes talks by influencers, experts and builders, covering topics from travel to technical advice. Organisers call it the largest edition of the show to date.
The Welkom op mijn Oprit (WOMO) network connects motorhome owners with around 550 hosts offering free overnight parking on private property. Founded in 2024 by Lieke Kooyman, the initiative has about 26,000 members. Stays are typically limited to one night, motorhomes must be self-contained, and hosts cannot charge. WOMO only facilitates contact, leaving compliance with local rules to the parties.
A camper was spotted parked illegally on the Maasvlakte, an industrial area in the Netherlands, with its occupant apparently spending the night. Local authorities remind that overnight stays in campers outside designated areas are prohibited, and note that sleeping in a camper in such a location can be uncomfortable and even hazardous.
Dutch brand Mestic, operating for 10 years, has introduced a line of LiFePo4 batteries for motorhomes and caravans. Models from 100 to 300 amp-hours feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for monitoring via the Mestic app, plus CAN and CS bus for integration with Dometic and Truma systems. Built-in heating allows safe charging below freezing. According to the manufacturer, usable capacity is 90–100% for LiFePo4 versus 45–65% for lead-acid, with significantly lower weight. The 100 Ah model costs just under €650, the 300 Ah model €1,399, and a steel housing adds €30. Warranty is 5 years.
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Lizette Schuurman (39) and her partner Leon (35) are preparing to emigrate to Australia, having sold their house in the Netherlands. The couple plans to buy a caravan or trailer and a 4x4 vehicle to live in a mobile home. This is their second attempt at emigration: in 2018 they moved to New Zealand but returned after a few months due to difficulties finding work. They intend to fly to Perth in January.
At one of the country's largest caravan shows, near-retirees and young families are looking at models with a bathroom, kitchen and enough space for children or cats. The reason is rising holiday costs and a sense of global instability. Visitors say they don't want to rough it.
Dutch manufacturer Lume Traveler presented the Lume Ranger at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, its most compact model to date. The trailer measures 5.19 m in length including the drawbar, 2.04 m in width, and 2.19 m in height. It has an unladen weight of 1,150 kg and a maximum permissible mass of 1,500 kg, leaving a payload of 350 kg. Inside, there is a fixed double bed with Auping mattresses (80×200 cm), a pop-up roof over the central toilet compartment with a Dometic cassette toilet, and a slide-out external kitchen featuring a stainless steel sink, a two-burner Pitt Cooking hob, and a 30-litre Dometic refrigerator. Prices start at €59,950 for the 2027 model year.
Luuk Leferink, 34, from Haaksbergen, founded LEF Campers & Caravans in Eibergen, starting with two motorhomes in late 2024. After seven years at Henk Pen Campers & Caravans, he acquired Bombeke Campers and merged operations. The company rents motorhomes and caravans, sells used motorhomes, and offers about 40 storage spaces. An open day is scheduled for September 19.
As of January 1, 2026, the Dutch motor vehicle tax on motorhomes has been definitively increased. A parliamentary attempt to reverse the increase failed, as a motion did not receive enough support. Motorhome owners now pay 50% of the standard rate instead of the previous 25%. For a typical diesel motorhome weighing around 2,950 kg, the annual tax rises from about 1,172 euros to about 2,344 euros. Older diesel models registered before September 1, 2009, are subject to an additional surcharge of 15%, potentially bringing annual tax to around 2,700 euros. Owners are seeking ways to reduce costs, such as temporarily deregistering their vehicles. The industry expects a decline in demand for heavy diesel models and increased interest in compact campers and electric vehicles.
On Saturday afternoon, September 5, a collision occurred on the A13 motorway towards Rotterdam near Delft between a passenger car and a car towing a caravan. Both drivers were injured, and one was taken to hospital after initial medical treatment. The vehicles and caravan sustained significant damage, and one lane was temporarily closed, causing traffic delays.
Camper broker Bert Keukenkamp from Raalte has reached a milestone with the sale of his hundredth motorhome. The Finke family from Nijverdal purchased a semi-integrated motorhome. Since Camperwens was founded in 2021, the company has sold an average of about 25 motorhomes per year. Keukenkamp said he enjoys helping buyers and sellers and is proud of the achievement.
Campanero, founded by Emiel IJszenga and Christian Erdweg, has introduced folding campers with a detachable living area that can be swapped for a different layout. The first models, Pah-Pah (from €13,950) and Eck-Oh (from €16,950), will be on display on September 19 at three showrooms in the Netherlands and Germany. A third variant, Char-Lee (from €18,950), is in development.
Volkswagen has unveiled its first electric camper, the ID. California Cruise, based on the ID. Buzz. However, Dutch converter Ventje has been offering its own camper conversion of the ID. Buzz for three years, which some say surpasses VW's version. The Ventje ID features a pop-up roof with a double bed, a rear-mounted kitchen, and starts at €85,000, while the ID. California Cruise, lacking these features, starts at just over €60,000 in Germany.
Dutch camper builder Innova has expanded the options for its Roadtrip 595L, Roadtrip 695L and 4x4 Taklamakan models. A new Beach interior style with light wood decor and a lounge bench with matching ottoman are now available, the latter for the 7-meter Mercedes Sprinter-based versions. The bathroom has been updated with a shower tray and a waterless Clesana toilet. At the Caravan Salon, Innova also showed the Revotion system, which controls camper functions via touchscreen or app.
Exhibitions
© KampeerZaken.nl - Alles over kamperen: caravans, campers, vouwwagens, tenttrailers, tenten en kampeerartikelen - Nieuw & tweedehands
Dutch company Glaravans will present the first production model of the Wave camper at the KCJ exhibition in Utrecht. The retro caravan features hand-built construction, 22 layouts, and eco-friendly materials.
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In many Dutch municipalities, motorhomes and caravans may not be parked on public roads for more than three consecutive days. Violations can lead to fines; Utrecht issued 138 such fines in 2025 and had nine vehicles towed. Rules are set by local ordinances (APV) and vary, so owners are advised to check their municipality's regulations.
The Galesloot family from Weesp, Netherlands, stopped dairy farming in April 2025 and is converting their former farm into a campsite and a day-care center for children with disabilities. The former cowshed area will host 30 pitches for tents and caravans plus 10 motorhome spaces. The project, including cooperation with Amsterdam's 'Villa Vrolijk', awaits permits.