Campers with motorcycle garages and motorcycle homes: two trends in one story

Sant Antoni de Portmany (Ibiza) police inspected 73 vehicles in the first month of an intensified campaign starting late April, including 37 motorhomes, 20 caravans, and 16 vans suitable for sleeping. 19 fines were issued: 15 for camping/overnight stays on rural land and 4 for municipal ordinance violations. Two empty caravans and four camper vans were impounded as abandoned. Fines under Law 5/2024 on vehicle influx control on Ibiza can reach €30,000.

Spain's DGT has issued a new instruction clarifying MOT (ITV) intervals for motorhomes and campervans. Motorhomes over 4 years old require inspection every two years, those over 10 years annually. Campervans up to 10 years old need annual checks, while those over 10 years must pass every six months. The update follows a Supreme Court ruling from March 13, 2018, which also allows municipalities to restrict parking times and prohibit overnight stays on urban roads.

Police have started fining motorhomes, caravans and campervans for overnight stays or camping outside authorized areas as of Wednesday. The fine is 600 euros, reduced to 300 if paid on the spot, and vehicles may be immobilized. The measure follows a transition period since 2025.

The Valencian regional government has opened a public consultation on a project to build a three-star campsite for motorhomes in Elche, in the Valverde Bajo area. The site covers about 19,500 sq m on non-developable land and includes 157 pitches, a swimming pool, bar, children's playground, and wastewater treatment facilities. The documentation will be available for review and objections for 20 working days via the regional digital planning platform.

Spain has published updated guidelines for motorhome technical inspections (ITV). Inspection frequency depends on weight: motorhomes up to 3,500 kg require inspection every 2 years (from 4 to 10 years old) and annually after 10 years; heavier models are inspected more often. Costs range from €45 to €90 depending on region and fuel type. Special attention is paid to the legality of conversions: solar panels, bike racks, awnings, and additional equipment must be registered in the vehicle's technical documentation.

Autocaravanas Galicia in Burela reports that all its motorhomes are already reserved for summer 2026. Most customers come from southern Spain and rent vehicles to travel through the Mariña region. The surge in rental demand has been ongoing since the pandemic.