Spanish couple Maribel and Vicente, retirees from Mallorca, have lived in a 10-square-meter camper van for over five years, traveling across Europe. They left their apartment on Mallorca when their children became independent.
According to them, monthly expenses, including fuel, amount to about €2000, significantly less than the cost of apartment living. They save on electricity, water, and other utilities by using solar panels and an autonomous system. The couple claims this lifestyle saves them more than €1000 per month.
They have set a monthly diesel fuel limit of €700 and stop if they reach that amount, waiting for the next pension. They have never exceeded this budget.
Previously, maintaining their home cost them €1200 per month, including €400 for a car and €50 for insurance. Instead of a car, they use a motorcycle for transportation, spending the freed-up funds on fuel and travel.
New details
According to new publications, the camper van is 7.5 meters long. Savings are estimated at about €1200 per month due to the absence of rent, utility bills, and car costs, while fuel expenses are capped at €500–700 per month. The couple says they do not intend to return to city life.
According to Hungarian publications, the couple lives on two ordinary pensions, without secret savings or special income. After giving up the apartment, fixed costs fell by about €1000 per month, and some interviews mentioned savings of €1200 to €1400. The fuel limit is set at €700 per month, but they usually spend €500–600. Electricity comes from solar panels and batteries, so there is no separate electricity bill. They cook in the camper and rarely eat in restaurants, put part of their pension aside for possible repairs, keep in touch with family by phone and video, and adjust their route to their grandchildren's school holidays.