VanLife Weekly #13: Motorhome & Campervan News, March 23–29, 2026

Spain is breaking motorhome registration records (+84%) while tightening the rules: DGT has updated regulations, and on Mallorca 150 caravans have taken over a city car park due to the housing crisis. Yorkshire has made its overnight ban permanent, Greece has introduced length limits, and the EU has simplified licences for motorhomes up to 4.25 tonnes — the top motorhome, camper van and vanlife news for 23–29 March 2026.

For travellers, the week revealed two opposing trends: the market is growing (registrations in Spain +84%, exports from China +46%), while regulation is tightening — from the UK and Greece to Turkey and California. If you are planning a summer route, it is worth checking local rules in advance.

Laws and Bans

Scarborough (UK): the ban on overnight parking for motorhomes and camper vans along the North Yorkshire coast has become permanent. The decision was made on 27 March following a trial order in 2024, introduced due to complaints about antisocial behaviour.

Kocaeli (Turkey): the transport coordination centre has banned caravan parking outside designated areas. Violators will face towing from 1 April.

Spain: the Directorate-General of Traffic has updated its guidelines for motorhomes and camper vans — clarifying rules on vehicle inspections, parking and designated stopover areas. Municipalities have been given the authority to regulate parking duration independently.

Greece: police have issued a directive establishing new parking rules. Motorhomes up to 7.5 metres may park freely; for larger vehicles the limit is 24 hours.

San Francisco (USA): five months after the ban on oversized vehicle parking, 82 out of 271 programme participants have been housed. 169 vehicles have been towed.

European Union: a directive has been adopted that will allow driving motorhomes up to 4.25 tonnes with a category B licence after additional training. For trailers over 750 kg, a BE licence is still required.

Industry

Winnebagoⓘ Industries (USA): the manufacturer reported a 6% increase in revenue in the second quarter — reaching $657.4 million. The motorhome segment grew by 29%, and the company raised its full-year profit forecast.

Spain: new motorhome and camper van registrations in February rose by 84.3% year on year, while caravan registrations grew by 52.6%. The total fleet in the country is estimated at 372,500 units.

Rongcheng (China): motorhome exports from Shandong province increased by 45.9% in January–February 2026, reaching 4 billion yuan. The city remains a key manufacturing and export hub.

Bridgestone: the company unveiled the first dedicated motorhome tyre, Duravis Camper All Season, with CP marking. Four sizes for 15- and 16-inch rims, with sales starting in June.

Kia and VanLab (USA/South Korea): a modular camper kit for the Kia PV5 electric van has been presented. Removable kitchen and bed modules install without drilling; power comes from the onboard battery via V2L.

Bryansk (Russia): a budget motorhome priced at 3.9 million roubles is being prepared for release, based on a Chinese truck chassis. The presentation is planned for May in Kolomna; the camper sleeps four.

Openings and Closures

Panxon (Spain): Galicia's first motorhome park with 131 pitches has opened. The 32,000 sq m site offers water supply, electricity, a dog area and a playground.

Mie Prefecture (Japan): a new RV park has opened featuring the country's largest dog run. Overnight stays start from 3,000 yen, with the Ise Shrine nearby.

Antalya (Turkey): the caravan park opened in 2023 was fully booked during Ramadan Bayram. The facility offers electricity, water, showers and 24-hour security.

Lifestyle

Horw (Switzerland): the Solar Butterfly solar caravan has returned from a four-year round-the-world journey. The vehicle, equipped with extendable solar panels covering 40 sq m, travelled 100,000 km across 47 countries.

Palma de Mallorca (Spain): around 150 caravans have set up on a municipal car park — most residents cannot afford rental housing. The situation reflects the island's housing crisis.

By Region

Europe: Spain dominated the week's headlines — a record 84% surge in registrations sits alongside tighter DGT rules and a housing crisis on Mallorca. The UK has made Yorkshire's ban permanent, Greece introduced differentiated parking rules. The EU is simplifying licences for motorhomes up to 4.25 t. Asia: China is ramping up motorhome exports, Japan is opening new RV parks, and the Kia PV5 has received a modular camper kit. Americas: Winnebago posted revenue growth, San Francisco is assessing the results of its RV ban.

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