Spain Tightens MOT Rules for Campervans Over 10 Years Old

According to the Spanish publication El Espanol, a man named Jesus sold his fully paid-off apartment and moved into a caravan. He stated that living in a vehicle allows him to save twice as much, with monthly expenses ranging from 300 to 500 euros. In his caravan, named India, electricity is supplied by roof-mounted solar panels, and there is a shower cabin and a dry toilet; grey water is emptied regularly and the fresh water tank is refilled. Before adopting a nomadic lifestyle, Jesus experienced depression and anxiety.

A court in Pamplona has ruled that an insurance company must pay €17,325.36 to a motorhome owner after an accident, even though the vehicle's roadworthiness test (ITV) had expired nine months earlier. The accident occurred on 10 December 2022 in Canfranc while the driver was heading to Astún; the vehicle was declared a total loss. The judge stated that the expired ITV was irrelevant because it was also expired when the policy was taken out on 14 March 2022, and the insurer did not require it then. The driver had initially claimed €48,810, but the amount was reduced.

The local police in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, issued 41 fines of €30,000 each during the summer for illegal camping and overnight stays in motorhomes and caravans on rural land. Patrols covered areas including Sa Talaia, Sant Rafel, Santa Agnès, Buscastell, Ses Variades, Sa Serra, Can Germà, Cala Salada, Punta Galera and the Camí des Regueró area. The enforcement is based on municipal coexistence ordinances, the 1997 law on rural land in the Balearic Islands and the 2024 law on vehicle influx control in Ibiza. Authorities cite the risk of forest fires from cooking and power generation equipment in wooded areas.

The management of the Cabío campsite in A Pobra plans a comprehensive renovation after the eviction and sealing of the Ra de Arosa I campsite on 18 September 2026 by order of Turismo de Galicia. The action was taken due to non-compliance with regional regulations. Some caravans at the site lack valid roadworthiness tests (ITV) and cannot be moved.

Javi, a 67-year-old former truck driver, lives in a 5 m² caravan after suffering a stroke and retiring. His pension is €500 per month, while his previous rent was €670. He sold his belongings and borrowed money to buy the caravan. In winter, he sleeps fully dressed because the heating is broken, eats one meal a day, and cannot afford a new television costing €300.

From 1 October 2026, new parking rules for motorhomes and camper vans take effect in Spain. Under the updated General Traffic Regulations, when parked, it is prohibited to extend awnings, open swing-out windows, or place chairs or tables outside the vehicle. Roof vents may be opened and pop-up roofs raised, but the vehicle must rest only on its wheels, with chocks if necessary, and no fluids may leak. Violations are classified as minor, serious, or very serious, with fines ranging from €750 to €3,000. The Coastal Law bans parking and overnight stays in a six-metre strip from the shore, with fines of €50 to €150. In natural parks and biosphere reserves, overnight stays are generally prohibited, though designated areas may exist.