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Pensioners sell home, live in motorhome for 70 euros a week

01.08.2026 07:01 5 min 10 sources РУС
decoracion.trendencias.com SPA + 9 more
Pensioners sell home, live in motorhome for 70 euros a week
Original source: Diario ABC

In Brief

Spanish pensioners Fernando and Ana sold their house three years ago and moved into a Fiat Ducato Maxi 1997. They spend about 70 euros a week and report significant savings.

A Spanish pensioner couple, Fernando and Ana, sold their house three years ago and moved into a Fiat Ducato Maxi 1997 motorhome, which they call 'La Vaca'. They say this lifestyle has allowed them to cut expenses and stretch their pension.

They spend about 70 euros a week on living, noting that they now have money left at the end of the month, whereas before they barely made it to the next pension payment. The couple eliminated bills for electricity, water, internet, and garage, and use solar panels for power. Main expenses are food and fuel.

The motorhome was renovated by themselves, costing 1631 euros (according to other sources, 1626 euros). The couple travels around Spain and Europe, having covered over 43,000 km. They note that the freedom to change location and lack of material attachments compensate for challenges such as vehicle weight and having to part with their children.

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

Retirees live in motorhome for 70 euros a week

01.08.2026 decoracion.trendencias.com SPA Original source

Retired couple moves into motorhome, cuts living costs

25.07.2026 El Español SPA Original source

Spanish couple moves into motorhome, cuts living costs

25.07.2026 VERSA POR Original source

Spanish pensioners move into motorhome, cut living costs

23.07.2026 El Periódico SPA Original source

Spanish pensioners move into motorhome, cut expenses

23.07.2026 El Periódico SPA Original source

Retired couple moves into motorhome, travels across Europe

20.07.2026 Radio Mitre SPA Original source

Retirees sell house, move into 27-year-old motorhome

20.07.2026 motorpasion.com SPA Original source

Retired couple moves into motorhome, travels Spain

20.07.2026 Clarín SPA Original source

Pensioners move into motorhome and cut expenses

16.07.2026 trendencias.com SPA Original source

Pensioners Fernando and Ana live in a seven-square-meter motorhome and save money

16.07.2026 Diario ABC SPA 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 · £1.66/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 · £1.73/l

22 of 40

pricier than 53% of countries

GLP

$1.29 /l

€1.11 · £0.95/l

48 of 54

pricier than 87% of countries

GNC

$1.91 /l

€1.64 · £1.41/l

10 of 14

pricier than 64% of countries

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Fernando and Ana, a retired Spanish couple, sold their home three years ago and moved into a 1999 Fiat Ducato Maxi motorhome nicknamed 'La Vaca'. They repaired it themselves for €1,631, far less than quoted by professionals. They report lower living expenses, with money left at month's end, unlike before. For the future, they plan to rent a camping pitch, which they say is cheaper than conventional housing.

ES Spain

Fernando and Ana, Spanish pensioners, sold their house three years ago and moved into a 1997 motorhome with an area of 7 m². They report that after the move, they have money left over at the end of the month, which was not the case when they lived in an apartment. Spain has about 365,000 motorhomes, caravans and camper vans, with retirees accounting for about 40% of regular users. The average purchase price of a motorhome for this age group is €51,345, 8% above the national average.

News from Spain

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The average annual cost of motorhome insurance in Spain ranges from 179 to 600 euros depending on coverage. Mandatory third-party liability does not cover conversions or accessories, and an expired MOT automatically invalidates your policy. Experts advise checking for breakdown cover from kilometer zero, as many policies only activate assistance from 25–50 km from home.

The municipality of Moradillo de Roa, known as the 'hobbit village' of Burgos for its many wine cellars, has tendered the construction of a motorhome service area. The facility will have space for 13 vehicles and include water, electricity, and waste disposal. The project is budgeted at €113,308.99, with a provincial subsidy of €79,316.29. Construction is expected to take six months.

Journalist and RNE presenter David Cantero, who has traveled by motorhome for over 20 years, said that owners of such vehicles face growing discrimination due to a lack of designated parking areas. He called on municipalities to develop this infrastructure. The article also lists seven routes across Spain recommended for motorhome trips in September, including the Asturian coast, Rías Baixas, Costa Brava, Cabo de Gata, Costa de la Luz, the Basque coast and Urdaibai.

Spain's AECA-ITV has reminded that motorhome safety starts before departure with route planning, proper load distribution, and a valid technical inspection (ITV). The first ITV is required four years after registration, then biennially until the vehicle is ten years old, and annually thereafter. Heavy items should be placed low and near the center, and overloading should be avoided as it increases braking distance and reduces stability. Driving style must adapt to the vehicle's size, including sensitivity to crosswinds. Fuel consumption typically ranges from 10 to 15 liters per 100 km.

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