Spain tightens motorhome rules: fines up to €5,000 and new technical inspections

India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has finalised draft standards for approval and certification of trailer caravans. The regulations, expected to be finalised within a month, cover recreational vehicles, camper vans and motor homes, including sleeping, seating, cooking and storage facilities. The government aims to address accommodation shortages at tourist destinations and promote caravan tourism as a flexible option for families and international tourists.

Spain has tightened technical inspection (ITV) requirements for motorhomes and camper vans. According to DGT instruction PROT 2026/04, motorhomes (category M) under 4 years are exempt from ITV, from 4 to 10 years inspected every two years, after 10 years annually. For camper vans based on vans (category N), rules are stricter: up to 10 years annual inspection, after 10 years every six months. The fleet of such vehicles in Spain has grown from 48,000 to nearly 137,000 units in recent years. Fines for illegal camping (extending perimeter, installing awning, etc.) can reach €5,000, especially in national parks or for discharging pollutants. A new sign S-128 indicates designated grey water discharge points.

Spanish authorities have tightened requirements for motorhomes and campervans due to parking violations and littering. Motorhomes may park on regular spaces only if they fit within markings and do not set up external equipment. It is forbidden to place chairs, tables, awnings, or cook outside. Overnight parking outside designated campsites near beaches (100 m in rural areas, 20 m in urban zones) is punishable by fines of 2000–6000 SEK, and vehicles may be confiscated in extreme cases. New road signs are being introduced to mark official waste and water disposal stations.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is implementing parking restrictions for motorhomes and campervans on Marine Parade in Saltburn from June. Motorhomes are banned from unmarked areas, while designated bays have a 4-hour limit from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. The measures follow resident complaints about extended parking and litter issues.

Spanish authorities are tightening rules for motorhomes and campervans ahead of the summer season. Parking within 100 meters of beaches, setting up tables, and cooking outside designated areas are now prohibited. Vehicles older than four years must undergo mandatory technical inspections with a frequency ranging from once to twice per year.