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Camper and vanlife boom in Italy: record sales, youth choose freedom on wheels

08.07.2026 12:57 1 min 3 sources
TViWeb ITA + 2 more
Camper and vanlife boom in Italy: record sales, youth choose freedom on wheels
Original source: Cosmopolitan

In Brief

In 2025, new camper sales in Italy rose 10.56%, used market grew 6.05%. The sector is valued at €8.5 billion. 93% of respondents choose this travel style, and CO₂ emissions drop by 70%.

Italy is experiencing a surge in camper and motorhome travel. According to Salone del Camper, 93% of respondents choose this type of holiday. An Ergo study shows a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional tourism.

In 2025, new camper sales increased by 10.56% (to 7,936 units), far exceeding the European average of 0.6%. The used market grew by 6.05%, with total transactions exceeding 44,000. The sector is valued at €8.5 billion. The Ministry of Tourism allocated over €25 million to create and upgrade parking areas in 170 municipalities, providing more than 4,400 new spaces.

Online searches for campsites rose 34%, and foreign tourist interest doubled (from 22% to 48%). Over 50% of new camper-sharing users are aged 25–34. However, experts note that vanlife reality differs from the idealised social media picture: travellers face route planning, finding parking, and managing limited space. In Italy, free camping restrictions remain: overnight stays are not allowed everywhere, and setting up an awning or chairs can lead to fines.

Aggregated by OpenVan.camp from the public sources listed below, with AI-assisted translation and summary. We always link to the original source. Machine translation may differ from the original -- check the source for important details. Images and content remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright information

Story sources

Why motorhomes and campers are gaining popularity

08.07.2026 TViWeb ITA Original source

Rise of motorhomes and camper vans in Italy: data and trends

21.06.2026 Cosmopolitan ITA Original source

Camper and vanlife boom in Italy: record registrations and young people choose freedom on wheels

10.05.2026 greenMe ITA Original source

🇮🇹 Italy — fuel prices

Updated: 25.07.2026

Benzina senza piombo 95

$2.26 /l

€1.98 · £1.69/l

127 of 140

pricier than 90% of countries

Benzina 98

$2.49 /l

€2.18 · £1.86/l

84 of 94

pricier than 88% of countries

Benzina 100

$2.52 /l

€2.21 · £1.89/l

23 of 24

pricier than 92% of countries

Gasolio

$2.46 /l

€2.16 · £1.84/l

133 of 141

pricier than 94% of countries

Gasolio premium

$2.65 /l

€2.33 · £1.99/l

36 of 41

pricier than 85% of countries

GPL

$0.85 /l

€0.74 · £0.63/l

24 of 55

cheaper than 58% of countries

Metano

$1.80 /l

€1.58 · £1.35/l

11 of 15

pricier than 67% of countries

Cheapest on the map

Popular route

Distance

Fuel cost

~

Est. time

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Quiz: test yourself
Guess the vanlife lingo — 3 quick questions
1 / 3
Q1 In Italy, a sign says "carico/scarico". What is it for?

Best regions in the coming days

Aosta Valley +26°·30 km/h
94
Trentino-South Tyrol +24°·24 km/h
81
Veneto +21°·26 km/h
71
Lombardy +24°·27 km/h
71
Calabria +28°·40 km/h
70
Avoid now
Lazio +34°·28 km/h
42
Sardinia +33°·32 km/h
42

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