Fewer New Caravans and Motorhomes in Europe, with Growth in the Netherlands and Declines in Spain and Belgium

New regulations affecting motorhome and car owners come into force in 2026. Key changes include the introduction of Euro-7 emission standards from November, a mandatory exchange of driving licenses issued between 1999 and 2001 by January 19th, and increased operating costs due to CO₂ pricing. Additional driver assistance systems will become mandatory from July, while new rules for city access and emergency signaling will be implemented in Austria and Spain.

The European Union has adopted a new driver's license directive allowing category B license holders to drive motorhomes up to 4.25 tons after additional training. However, the B96 license category remains necessary for towing trailers exceeding 750 kg, as the new rules only apply to combinations with lightweight trailers.

Spain tightened inspections for camper vans — meanwhile in Torrox, 50 motorhomes occupied a riverbed. Italians 3D-printed a motorhome from plastic in four days, Hyundai unveiled an 800-volt electric camper, and 34 million Americans are hitting the road. Demolitions in Turkey, bans in Scotland, and a woman who drove along the Baltic in an electric Smart — all in this issue.

Warendorf introduced paid motorhome parking — and lost its tourists. Japan quietly reached 607 RV parks while Nagoya showed a camper on a rocket launcher chassis. The Turkish coastal ban, a Polish trailer with a side shower, and Korean rentals straight from the train — in this issue.

An analysis by the portal Pincamp has identified the countries with the lowest campsite prices in Europe for 2026. The cheapest night for a family during the high season is expected in Norway (38 euros), followed by Sweden (40 euros) and Germany (41 euros). The most expensive will be Croatia (73 euros), Italy (63 euros) and Switzerland (61 euros). Prices have risen in all 12 analyzed countries, especially in Spain (+15%), Croatia (+12%) and the UK (+11%).

The camping.info portal has announced the winners of its annual award, based solely on user ratings. For 2026, five campsites in Austria, Germany, and Italy were selected from over 62,000 votes. The winning sites feature extensive amenities such as pools, spa areas, and children's activities.