Germany
The Munich court ruled that a motorhome renter can terminate the contract without notice and demand a refund if the vehicle's electrical system fails. The incident occurred during a trip through Scandinavia when the 12-volt outlets stopped working, preventing the use of medical equipment. The court found that the defect significantly impairs the intended use of the motorhome and ordered the landlord to return most of the 3,612 euros.
Law & Regulations — 🇩🇪 Germany
214
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42
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1k per week
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4.6k per month
Germany
5
The Baden-Württemberg Finance Court ruled that a motorhome parked at an employer's site cannot be considered a second home for tax purposes. The Federal Finance Court upheld the decision, recognizing only 17 trips home as commuting expenses.
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The Berlin Regional Court ruled that Regenbogen AG unlawfully billed permanent campers in 2024 for pitches at the Dünen-Campingplatz in Prerow (Vorpommern-Rügen district). The company's lease for the site, owned by the state foundation, had expired at the end of 2023, leaving no legal basis for the invoices. The court dismissed the company's lawsuit against camper Peer Globisch, who had refused to pay. The ruling could support refund claims from other campers, though Regenbogen AG disputes this. Leave to appeal was not granted.
Germany
2
ADAC warns of fines for overloaded motorhomes. In Germany, fines and points; in Belgium and Switzerland, up to €20,000 and 8 days in jail.
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Starting July 7, 2026, all new motorhome registrations in the EU must comply with Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (GSR II). For motorhomes up to 3.5 tons, mandatory systems include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, driver fatigue monitoring, tire pressure monitoring, and more. For heavy motorhomes (over 3.5 tons), separate requirements apply, including blind spot detection systems. Vehicles already registered are exempt from retrofitting. The new rules are expected to increase the purchase prices of new motorhomes.
Germany
2
Before a trip in a large motorhome, drivers should check an entry in their license. The decisive factor is not the vehicle type but a specific value in the vehicle documents.
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According to a ruling by the Federal Fiscal Court, the sale of private motorhomes is not subject to income tax, even if the vehicle was used for business purposes. The court decided that a motorhome is not a 'business asset' if it was used predominantly for personal purposes. This ruling provides legal certainty for owners selling their motorhomes.
Fuel prices ·
Germany
cheapest in EU
€2.27 here
priciest in EU
Diesel
▲ +0.50%
$2.64/L
€2.27/L
Petrol 95
▲ +1.90%
$2.62/L
€2.25/L
LPG
▼ -0.50%
$1.28/L
€1.10/L
Fill the tank
80 L
$210.85
Consumption
10 L/100km
$26.36
A motorhome driver had to pay 18 euros for a half-hour stop at the Lühe-Anleger parking lot, as motorhomes are subject exclusively to a 24-hour tariff. The mayor of Grünendeich pointed to alternative parking sites, but those are marked with signs prohibiting motorhomes. The lot, operated by Mobility Hub since June, uses license plate scanners; non-payment results in a 56-euro penalty. No short-term tariff exists for motorhomes, unlike for cars.
The city of Aalen permits overnight stays in motorhomes at the parking lot near the old sports field in Unterkochen for one night only. Longer stays or using the motorhome as living quarters are considered special use and require a permit. The city has received no complaints and has no plans to introduce additional restrictions. For longer stays, a fee-based motorhome parking area at Limes-Thermen is available, where stays of up to three days are allowed.
In Europe, fines for an overloaded motorhome range from €40 to €10,000 depending on the country and the degree of excess weight. Most countries, including Germany, France and Austria, have no legal tolerance, and in some cases (e.g., Belgium and Croatia) further travel is prohibited until the overload is removed. Italy and Spain allow a 5% tolerance during weighing, but exceeding this threshold results in fines and a ban on continuing the journey.
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Franconian Switzerland is introducing a new quality initiative to manage the flow of motorhomes in the region. The low-threshold concept relies on digitalization to reduce unregulated camping.
Overnight stays in a motorhome are permitted under certain conditions during travel, but the line between allowed rest and unauthorized camping is easily crossed, with potential legal consequences. Not every publicly accessible area falls under public law, which can result in fines.
Since July 1, 2024, Germany has extended the truck toll to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but most motorhomes remain exempt. According to ADAC, about 160,000 motorhomes weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes are registered in the country, yet only a small number may face toll obligations. Issues mainly arise for vehicles on truck or bus chassis that do not look like motorhomes from the outside. Owners are advised to register their vehicle as a "special motorhome" and, if necessary, voluntarily register with Toll Collect to avoid checks and additional fees.
Spontaneously stopping and sleeping in a motorhome, camper van, or converted van is not allowed everywhere. Travelers must be aware of local regulations and restrictions.
Since July 2025, motorhomes, caravans and other recreational vehicles with a fixed LPG system in Germany must undergo a gas inspection according to the DVGW G 607 standard. This inspection must be carried out every 24 months by certified experts. Missing the deadline can result in a fine between 15 and 60 euros. The new rules also define requirements for the installation of refillable gas cylinders and the training of inspectors.
The German Liquid Gas Association (DVFG) has for the first time set requirements for installation, sealing and inspection intervals of gas cylinders in motorhomes. Cylinders must be tool-free secured, have a safety coupling and an external filler neck at least 50 cm from windows. Refuelling at LPG stations in Germany remains a legal grey area.
VanBasket ·
Germany
Germany
125
/100
▲ +0.2%
per month
Milk
· 1 L
+17%
$2.07
Eggs
· 12 pcs
+33%
$4.56
Chicken
· 1 kg
+165%
$15.58
Rice
· 1 kg
+33%
$3.00
Bread
· 500 g loaf
$2.31
Water
· 1.5 L bottle
$3.45
Cheese
· 1 kg
$11.57
Tomatoes
· 1 kg
$2.49
Beer
· 0.5 L bottle
$1.30
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The German Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) has for the first time defined technical requirements for gas tank bottles in camping vehicles in the revised G 607 worksheet. Bottles must be tool-free secured in the gas compartment, have a filling connection outside the vehicle at least 50 cm from windows and heater flues, and include a safety coupling and level indicator. Filling at LPG stations in Germany remains prohibited, but amendments to safety regulations (TRBS 3151) are being prepared.
Rita Großhauser, a city councilor from the UPW party, has been pushing for a motorhome parking area with mandatory infrastructure in Neumarkt for years. Despite ongoing discussions, no visible progress has been made.
In July 2025, the traffic service of the police in Hochsauerlandkreis offered voluntary weighing of motorhomes and caravan combinations in Olsberg and Arnsberg-Hüsten. Around 95 vehicles used the offer; officers checked load securing and answered questions. Most participants realistically estimated their vehicle's weight, but some had minor optimization opportunities. The campaign was deemed a success, with further actions planned.
Brandenburg police conducted intensified checks on holiday traffic from July 9 to 26, 2026. Of about 1,400 road users inspected, nearly half were found with violations. The focus was on motorhomes and vehicles with caravans. Speeding, overloading and technical defects were the most common issues. One motorhome was stopped on the A9 because its gross weight exceeded the limit by 450 kg; another was banned from driving due to severe diesel and oil leakage.