Spaniard moves into caravan to cut living costs

A court in Pamplona has ruled that an insurance company must pay €17,325.36 to a motorhome owner after an accident, even though the vehicle's roadworthiness test (ITV) had expired nine months earlier. The accident occurred on 10 December 2022 in Canfranc while the driver was heading to Astún; the vehicle was declared a total loss. The judge stated that the expired ITV was irrelevant because it was also expired when the policy was taken out on 14 March 2022, and the insurer did not require it then. The driver had initially claimed €48,810, but the amount was reduced.

The local police in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, issued 41 fines of €30,000 each during the summer for illegal camping and overnight stays in motorhomes and caravans on rural land. Patrols covered areas including Sa Talaia, Sant Rafel, Santa Agnès, Buscastell, Ses Variades, Sa Serra, Can Germà, Cala Salada, Punta Galera and the Camí des Regueró area. The enforcement is based on municipal coexistence ordinances, the 1997 law on rural land in the Balearic Islands and the 2024 law on vehicle influx control in Ibiza. Authorities cite the risk of forest fires from cooking and power generation equipment in wooded areas.

Javi, a 67-year-old former truck driver, lives in a 5 m² caravan after suffering a stroke and retiring. His pension is €500 per month, while his previous rent was €670. He sold his belongings and borrowed money to buy the caravan. In winter, he sleeps fully dressed because the heating is broken, eats one meal a day, and cannot afford a new television costing €300.

From 1 October 2026, new parking rules for motorhomes and camper vans take effect in Spain. Under the updated General Traffic Regulations, when parked, it is prohibited to extend awnings, open swing-out windows, or place chairs or tables outside the vehicle. Roof vents may be opened and pop-up roofs raised, but the vehicle must rest only on its wheels, with chocks if necessary, and no fluids may leak. Violations are classified as minor, serious, or very serious, with fines ranging from €750 to €3,000. The Coastal Law bans parking and overnight stays in a six-metre strip from the shore, with fines of €50 to €150. In natural parks and biosphere reserves, overnight stays are generally prohibited, though designated areas may exist.

Camperdays, a motorhome and campervan rental platform, identifies Malaga as the most affordable option for campervan trips in September. According to Spain's National Statistics Institute, campsite occupancy in the country fell from 61.3% in August to 44.1% in September 2025, while national campsites recorded over 26.7 million overnight stays between June and August 2025. The cost of touring Malaga province by campervan in September is under 100 euros. Recommended parking locations include MiluCar Camper Area in the municipality of Torrox, 45 minutes from the provincial capital.

Trigano Group has introduced the Elnagh T-Loft 450 motorhome for the Spanish market. The model measures 6.99 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.95 m high, and is based on a Fiat Ducato with a 2.2-litre 140 hp diesel engine paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission; a 180 hp diesel with automatic transmission is optional and adds more than €6,000 to the price. Standard equipment includes driver assistance systems, swivelling front seats, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a winter package, diesel heating and a 200 W solar panel. Pricing in Spain starts at around €73,000 excluding IEMDT.