Motorhomes in the EU up €1000–3000 · VanLife Weekly #27

The past week brought several big shifts to the world of motorhomes all at once: from July 7 the EU's new safety regulation makes fresh motorhomes €1000–3000 more expensive, Italy introduces tachographs for vans from July 1, Spanish towns are clearing caravans off Malaga's beaches by July 7, and a French programmer sold his flat for €112,000 and moved into a motorhome to save €400 a month.

Motorhomes in the EU go up €1000–3000: the GSR II safety regulation takes effect July 7

From July 7, 2026 the European Union brings in the second phase of the General Safety Regulation (GSR II) — the pan-European vehicle safety rules. Now every new motorhome must be fitted with eight active driver-assistance systems: among them automatic emergency braking, drowsiness detection, a lane-keeping assistant, and a "black box" that records data in the moments before a crash. Industry estimates put the added cost of this equipment at €1000–3000 on a new vehicle.

The requirement applies specifically to new motorhomes that are certified after that date. Vehicles already sitting at dealerships and used ones are not affected — you can buy and drive them just as before. But manufacturers are building the new systems into their 2027 models ahead of time, so next season's price lists will show the increase across almost the entire range.

Regulatory pressure on motorhome owners in Europe ramped up this week beyond Germany alone. From July 1 Italy now requires digital tachographs on vans weighing 2.5–3.5 tonnes on international trips, and in Spain a new roadworthiness-test procedure has tightened electrical checks on camper vans over 10 years old. The overall direction is clear: the vehicles are getting safer, but also more expensive to buy and to run.

In brief

• Spain, roadworthiness test: the PROT 2026/04 procedure has tightened requirements for the electrics of camper vans over 10 years old, which has sent sales of portable power stations soaring — they don't need to be registered as long as they aren't permanently fixed.
• USA, Winnebagoⓘ: a compact Class C motorhome was unveiled, the Elora/Resa at just over 6 meters long — six seats, four berths, a lithium battery, going on sale in July at $153,772.
• Germany, Dethleffs: the manufacturer is dropping half its caravan range, keeping the budget c'joy, c'go and Summer Edition series, and adding two new over-cab motorhomes.
• Japan, Isuzu: at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 they showed off the GeoRoam camper with a wood-and-tile interior in a US West Coast style, priced from 21.78 million yen.
• Hong Kong, rules: authorities have eased the licensing of campsites and motorhome parking in rural areas — flexible fire-safety norms and concessions for older buildings.
• Germany, Knaus: the semi-integrated Sky Ti 700 DEG on a Volkswagen Crafter chassis made its debut — a 2027-season premiere.
• Germany, Carado: the compact all-wheel-drive CV595 X-Edition built on the VW Crafter for those who need an off-road format.
• Australia, awards: Crusader Caravans set an industry record — four "Manufacturer of the Year" titles in a row.
• Germany, energy: at Intersolar Europe 2026 WattCycle showed off energy-storage systems for motorhomes and the home.
• Tech, batteries: Power Queen has released a 12V 320Ah battery with Bluetooth for motorhomes — you can track the charge from your smartphone.
• Spain, Tenerife: authorities are investing €3.5 million in a motorhome service area on the site of a former waste-transfer station.
• Switzerland, safety: Stans held its second Camper Day — police weighed around 70 motorhomes for free and checked that they were loaded correctly.

Where to go

Scandinavia and northern Europe, July. While the south swelters in the heat, more and more motorhome travelers are turning toward the cool north: according to the booking platform PiNCAMP, summer demand for campsites in Scandinavia is up 68% since 2023. In July, Norway, Sweden and Finland offer everything the overcrowded Mediterranean lacks — mild temperatures, bright nights, free spots at campsites, and nature without the crowds. Norway's fjords and Finland's lake country are especially good for an unhurried route with nights spent by the water. If you've long wanted a northern summer but kept putting it off, this is your season to go: while the trend is still building, there's still room.

Watch out

• Spain, Malaga, by July 7: the city is clearing caravans off Sacaba beach, and neighboring San Fernando is relocating an overcrowded motorhome parking area from Camposoto beach. If you were planning an overnight stay on the Costa del Sol coast, look for a legal site in advance rather than wild camping on the shore.
• Croatia, island of Cres: during a storm a pine tree crashed onto a camper van and trapped people inside. In a thunderstorm, don't park under tall trees and keep an eye on storm warnings along the Adriatic.
• USA, Nebraska: a sudden storm flipped camper vans over at Lake McConaughy. On open shorelines and in the plains, check the wind forecast and don't leave a lightweight trailer sitting side-on to the gusts.
• Lithium, fire safety: in Liechtenstein an Iveco motorhome burned down completely, the preliminary cause being lithium batteries. Don't charge DIY lithium packs without protection and supervision, especially overnight in a closed living compartment.

Something good to end on

Two stories worth passing along.

A €112,000 home — put on wheels. A French developer sold his flat for €112,000 and moved into a used motorhome, cutting his monthly costs by almost €400. He says that in exchange for a mortgage and utility bills he gained the freedom to choose where he wakes up. A story for anyone who's ever added up what four walls actually cost.

An 18-meter city bus turned into a motorhome. In Sweden, an articulated public-transit bus converted into a livable camper van has gone up for sale. This 18-meter giant with an accordion "bendy" section in the middle is proof that a home on wheels can be literally any size, if you want it badly enough.

This week's questions

Will GSR II make used motorhomes more expensive?

No. The GSR II regulation applies only to new motorhomes certified after July 7, 2026. Vehicles already at dealerships and used ones are sold and driven under the old rules and don't need to be retrofitted.

What should an owner of an old camper van in Spain do before the roadworthiness test?

The new PROT 2026/04 procedure has tightened electrical checks on camper vans over 10 years old. Check your wiring and fixed electrical installations in advance. Portable power stations don't need to be registered as long as they aren't permanently fixed — which is why many people are switching to them.

Why is it worth heading to northern Europe in summer rather than the south?

Thanks to the heat, southern Europe is increasingly overheated and overcrowded, while summer demand for Scandinavian campsites is up 68% since 2023. The north offers mild temperatures, bright nights and free spots at campsites — more comfortable both for people and for the vehicles.

How compact is the new Winnebago Elora/Resa?

It's a Class C motorhome just over 6 meters long — shorter than a typical American Class C. It's designed for six seats and four berths, comes with a lithium battery, and starts at $153,772.

How serious is the fire risk from lithium batteries in a motorhome?

It's real if the battery is DIY-built or lacks proper protection: last week in Liechtenstein a motorhome burned down completely because of lithium batteries. Use packs with a battery management system, don't charge them unattended, and where possible don't leave them charging overnight in a closed living compartment.

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