Second-hand camper van market collapses in Belgium: costs outweigh holiday freedom

The Belgian municipality of Brakel is reforming the popular motorhome parking area at the De Rijdtmeersen recreation site. The number of spaces will increase from four to twelve, but they will no longer be free. The change is driven by frequent occupation of regular visitor parking by motorhomes, which has drawn criticism. The new site will have a barrier, digital booking and payment via QR code, and free electricity will be discontinued. Construction is expected to start in spring 2027.

On Wednesday around 3:00 PM in Wijgmaal, a 15-year-old cyclist collided with a parked motorhome on Wijgmaalsesteenweg and fell to the ground. The teenager suffered a bleeding head wound and was taken to UZ Gasthuisberg. The motorhome was parked on a driveway, with its front part slightly protruding onto the bike path.

About a hundred caravans illegally occupied private land in Fumal, while 150 caravans took over an airfield in Fayence. Authorities are negotiating and planning to take action.

The Belgian municipality of Brakel will replace free motorhome parking with paid spaces at the De Rijdt recreation site starting next year. The decision follows complaints that motorhome owners often park on free spots meant for regular cars. The new lot will feature a barrier, 12 designated motorhome spaces, and free parking for cars. Stricter enforcement against illegal parking is also planned.

Motorhome sales in Belgium have grown by 40% over seven years, reaching 5,000 units last year. The country ranks third in Europe for motorhome density per capita. The average buyer age has dropped from 59 to 55. Key selection criteria: trip type (short or long), passenger count, budget, and payload capacity (up to 3.5 tonnes with a standard driving license). Experts recommend renting different models before purchasing.

An article from RTL Info examines the key differences between motorhomes (self-propelled) and camper vans (vans). Key criteria include budget, layout, fuel consumption, and storage conditions. The piece helps potential buyers determine which type of vehicle suits their needs.