León clarifies overnight parking rules for motorhomes and fines for camping

Around 200,000 French motorhome owners travel to Spain each winter, according to Camping-Car Park. Key reasons include a milder climate, lower living costs, and more flexible parking rules. Spain offers over 2,500 service areas and nearly 1,000 campsites, with popular regions being Andalusia and the Valencian Community.

Spain has an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 motorhomes and camper vans, though the exact number is unknown because many converted vans are not registered. The DGT allows parking in regular spots, but municipalities impose time and location restrictions. Camping, which involves setting up chairs, tables, or other items outside the vehicle, is prohibited and can result in fines of 2,000 to 3,000 euros depending on the location.

Jesús Martín Ballester from Spain has moved into a camper van with three dogs and two cats he rescued from the street. He documents his life on his YouTube channel 'Cat dog travels', which has over 25,000 subscribers as of early September. The animals include three potentially dangerous dogs (Bayron, Jacko, and Max) and two cats with vision problems (Rocky and Balboa). Jesús modified the van to accommodate all the animals.

Ana, a Venezuelan living in Spain for 20 years, and Fernando, of Argentine origin, have lived in a motorhome for three years. In a video published on Arnau Serrado's YouTube channel, the retired couple discussed their lifestyle. Their home on wheels is a used Fiat Ducato Maxi, which they prefer to newer models due to their weight. Fernando equipped the interior himself with wood. The couple notes that living in a motorhome allows them to save money: even without tracking expenses, they manage to put money aside. They also claim to spend money in local communities, for example on food and gas, and that a group of campers can spend more than 7,000 euros in a village over a weekend.

The Fragas do Eume Natural Park in Galicia, Spain, is promoted as a destination for camper van travelers this autumn, featuring forests, waterfalls, and historic sites. The park, covering over 9,000 hectares, offers five hiking trails of varying difficulty, including a route to the San Xoán de Caaveiro monastery. Overnight stays inside the park are prohibited, but nearby in Monfero, a camper park provides 32 pitches (€10 per day, plus €3 for electricity), and the Fragadeume campsite (about €25 per day for two people with electricity) is open from March 21 to October 20.

Sandra, known on TikTok as @sandra_patricia6830, lives year-round in a caravan at a campsite on the Costa Blanca. Her monthly pitch fee is 297 euros, fixed regardless of season. She has access to a pool, tennis court, private security, and gardening services. In France, over 100,000 people live in campsites year-round, but legislation prohibits using a campsite as a permanent residence.