Portuguese motorhome rental sector at risk due to high vehicle tax

Brazilian singer Kelly Key, 43, started a four-day motorhome trip across Portugal with her family on March 12. The decision came after her husband Mico Freitas suffered a stroke and underwent heart surgery. The couple decided not to postpone personal plans.

The Portuguese Court of Auditors has been waiting since January 7, 2026 for documents from the Aveiro municipality regarding the contract for the renovation of the municipal campsite in São Jacinto. The municipality has not yet submitted the requested documents, including proof of multi-year expenditure authorization and financial availability for 2026. The contract was received by the Court on December 19, 2025 for prior review. Mayor Luís Souto attributed delays to interactions with the Court, noting the process takes time.

The Municipality of Portalegre unanimously approved the launch of a tender for the renovation of the local campsite. The investment exceeds 2 million euros. The campsite, located in Serra de São Mamede, has been closed for nearly two decades. The municipality already has partial funding and expects to secure the remainder through EU funds.

The municipality of Tomar has set up a temporary parking area for motorhomes on Avenida Maria de Lourdes de Mello e Castro, two kilometers from the previous site closed after Storm Kristin. Authorities are also preparing a temporary service area, while waste disposal continues at the old park from 10:00 to 20:00. Mayor Tiago Carrão stated that work is underway on a permanent solution—a full campsite and motorhome park—and the old site will be converted into an urban park.

Bürstner has halted caravan production as demand fell 13%. Poland is proposing to scrap road tolls for campervans, while Liguria counts the cost of 8,000 motorhomes descending on the region. Tom Hanks' son has swapped Hollywood for a trailer in pursuit of a music career, and a French couple has driven 100,000 km from the North Cape to Senegal — and that's not even the whole story. All this in this issue.

Political parties PSD, CDS, PCP and Bloco de Esquerda have presented proposals to amend the law in effect since January that bans overnight stays in motorhomes on unauthorized sites. Homeowners on the Costa Vicentina fear a return to the situation before the ban.