Portugal: proposal to charge foreign-registered motorhomes an entry fee

The body of 55-year-old Teresa Janerinio was discovered in a burnt motorhome near São Bartolomeu de Messines, Portugal. Reports suggest she may have been killed before being placed in the vehicle. A witness saw a man dragging her motionless body into the motorhome and then setting it on fire. The suspect, believed to be her husband or partner, has been arrested and remanded in custody. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

FeelEverywhere is investing €4 million to convert the former Orbitur campsite in Viana do Castelo into the FeelViana Nature tourism complex. The project, set to open in May 2027, includes 17 glamping units, 42 motorhome pitches, a wellness area, a restaurant, and a performance training center. It is expected to create 32 direct jobs. The concession runs for 20 years, renewable up to 30.

The FeelViana Nature project involves a €4 million investment. The former VianaCamping site in the Cabedelo pine forest will feature 17 glamping units and 42 motorhome pitches. The opening is scheduled for May 2027. The concession was awarded to FeelEverywhere for an initial 20-year period, extendable to 30 years.

Soul Campers Vanlife Portugal, a motorhome rental company in the Algarve, avoided closure due to widespread support after the theft of four vehicles. The four motorhomes were stolen from a warehouse in São Brás de Alportel but were recovered days after owners Tânia and Pedro issued a desperate appeal for help. The owners thanked friends and strangers for sharing the alert, which enabled the vehicles to be located and the business to continue.

On Thursday, August 13, 91 people were fined in Vila do Bispo, Portugal, for illegal camping or using motorhomes. Another 21 were penalized for ignoring traffic signs. The operation ran from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, involving the National Republican Guard, the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), and the local council. Authorities are tightening enforcement in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park; in June, 92 people were fined for similar violations.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and border closures, many motorhome travelers are unable to return home. In Portugal, ferries to the UK have been cancelled, campsites are closing, and authorities provide no guidance. Travelers, mostly elderly and at high risk, are left without options to leave the country or find parking.