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French retirees spend winters in Spain in motorhome due to lower cost of living

26.08.2026 17:15 1 min 1 source РУС
Marie France, magazine féminin FRA
French retirees spend winters in Spain in motorhome due to lower cost of living
© © dr

French retirees Chantal and Didier Gautherey have been driving their motorhome to Spain for the winter for four years. They cite lower costs for groceries, restaurant meals, and fuel, as well as free parking spots with sea views. An estimated 200,000 French motorhome owners visit Spain annually, where authorities are expanding infrastructure for such travelers.

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French retirees spend winters in Spain in motorhome due to lower cost of living

26.08.2026 Marie France, magazine féminin FRA Original source

ES Spain — fuel prices

Updated: 22.08.2026

Sin plomo 95

$2.04 /l

€1.75 · £1.50/l

118 of 142

pricier than 82% of countries

Sin plomo 98

$2.25 /l

€1.93 · £1.65/l

78 of 94

pricier than 82% of countries

Gasóleo A

$2.21 /l

€1.89 · £1.62/l

119 of 142

pricier than 83% of countries

Gasóleo Premium

$2.35 /l

€2.02 · £1.72/l

22 of 40

pricier than 53% of countries

GLP

$1.30 /l

€1.11 · £0.95/l

48 of 54

pricier than 87% of countries

GNC

$1.92 /l

€1.64 · £1.41/l

10 of 14

pricier than 64% of countries

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Best regions in the coming days

Asturias +22°·37 km/h
90
Galicia +21°·61 km/h
87
Cantabria +25°·54 km/h
87
Castile and León +23°·48 km/h
86
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85
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French retirees Jean-Pierre and Cathy bought a motorhome for €70,000 and shared their annual running costs. According to the Federation of Campers, Caravanners and Motorhome Users, there are 505,000 motorhomes in France used by 5 million people. Annual maintenance includes a watertightness check for €90 and a technical inspection for €100. Overnight parking at specialized motorhome areas costs €12–15, campsites charge €20–25 per night, and a subscription to an app for free parking at farms costs €33 per year. The couple says fuel is the biggest expense, especially on long trips.

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According to DGT data, Extremadura ranked third in Spain for growth in new motorhome and campervan registrations, with a 12.5% increase, behind Castilla-La Mancha (26.6%) and Ceuta (23%). However, the region registered only 63 such vehicles in the last year, the fourth lowest in the country, ahead of La Rioja, Ceuta, and Melilla. For comparison, Catalonia registered 1,366 and Andalusia 801. The Aseicar association notes that Extremadura has only 'green points' for caravaning, in Cáceres and Mérida, and considers the region a clearly pro-caravaning destination.

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