Conflicts over motorhomes in Spain: rising sales and lack of infrastructure

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the General Traffic Regulations. The new rules for motorhomes prohibit extending elements beyond the vehicle's perimeter, require parking only on tires, and ban the discharge of fluids from the living compartment. The measures take effect on October 1, 2026.

Berger has introduced the PCA 3400 portable air conditioner with 3400 BTU cooling capacity, designed for camper vans without drilling the roof or making permanent alterations. The 14 kg unit (30.2 x 34.5 x 54 cm) fits between seats or in the trunk, with hot air exhausted through a window using a removable seal. It works with portable power stations (e.g., EcoFlow or Bluetti) and supports Google Assistant voice control. Price is around €299.

On June 21 in Almería, a 44-year-old German woman was assaulted in her motorhome by a man with a knife and a stick. A passerby heard her screams and intervened. The suspect was arrested after attempting to flee into the sea.

The municipality of Muros de Nalón (Asturias) will close the parking lot at Aguilar beach from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. from July 1 to September 30. The measure aims to prevent vans and motorhomes from staying overnight, as Mayor Celestino Novo reports daily litter and feces on the parking area. Showers and public toilets will also be closed from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. due to misuse (washing dishes, bathing dogs), with wastewater contaminating the stream that flows into the sea. Additionally, the beach bar is closed after three companies declined its concession.

A 44-year-old German woman was seriously injured in an attempted rape inside her motorhome in Almería on June 21. The incident occurred around 5:30 PM in a motorhome parking area near the Andarax River. The 21-year-old suspect, currently undocumented, forced entry with a knife and a stick, beat the victim, and attempted sexual assault. A passer-by heard screams and intervened, causing the suspect to flee. He was later rescued from the sea by police and arrested.

Agaden-Ecologistas en Acción has praised the Civil Guard operation that evicted 78 motorhomes and camper vans from Los Carriles area in the Strait Natural Park, but insists that similar oversight must apply to beach bars and leisure establishments within the protected area. The group claims these venues create makeshift parking lots, increase fire and waste risks, and their outdoor concerts disturb birds in the ZEPA and Biosphere Reserve. Agaden calls on Tarifa's mayor to conduct inspections throughout the summer, citing laws that assign control duties to the municipality.