On June 26, 2026, Royal Decree 518/2026 came into force in Spain, amending the General Traffic Regulations. The document equates motorhomes and campers to ordinary passenger cars when parking in cities. Previously, municipalities could fine such vehicles for parking on common terms.
Conditions for legal parking
- It is forbidden to deploy any elements protruding beyond the vehicle's dimensions: awnings, tables, chairs, steps.
- The vehicle must rest only on its standard wheels (wheel chocks are allowed).
- Dumping gray water or any other liquids from the living compartment is prohibited.
- If these conditions are met, the motorhome is considered parked, not camping.
Municipalities retain the right to introduce time and payment restrictions, but they must be justified and applied equally to all vehicles. The regulation takes effect on October 1, 2026. Spain has about 365,000 camping vehicles, of which 96,000 are motorhomes.
Regional context
The government of Cantabria previously approved its own decree allowing overnight stays inside a motorhome without deploying external elements or dumping waste. The document removes the previous limit of 30 spaces for service areas, simplifies the creation of new sites with water and dump stations, and permits parking for up to 48 hours. The goal is to attract year-round tourists and boost the rural economy, unlike Ibiza, Palma, and Galicia where restrictions are tightening.
