Spain: new motorhome parking rules · VanLife Weekly #40

A lot happened in the motorhome world last week: Spain brought in its first nationwide rules on what separates parking a motorhome from camping, the US hotel group Choice Hotels bought the free-overnight club Harvest Hosts for 130 million dollars, diesel in Germany fell 4.5% after three weeks of rises, and a campsite in South Korea started delivering groceries by drone.

Spain has defined for the first time how parking a motorhome differs from camping

On 1 October 2026, Spain's updated General Traffic Regulation, approved by Royal Decree 518/2026 of 24 June, came into force. The key point for motorhome owners: the conditions for parking are now set out nationwide for the first time. A motorhome counts as parked if three conditions are met: it rests only on its wheels (wheel chocks are fine), nothing extends beyond its body, whether an awning, chairs or a table, and nothing is drained from the living area. Break even one of them and it is camping on the street and illegal parking.

There is good news too: under the new rules a motorhome may park anywhere that vehicles of the same size are allowed. Signs banning motorhomes specifically are generally not permitted, although a height limit that applies to all vehicles can be put up straight away. For places where you can empty grey and black water, the Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) is introducing a separate sign, S-128. How the rules are interpreted on the spot is largely up to the police officer.

Town halls, meanwhile, have gained new tools. They can limit parking time, charge different fees depending on a vehicle's size and its environmental label, and tow or clamp offenders. In the province of Almería, the new rules have already revived the dispute over overnight stays in the Cabo de Gata natural park, where parking spaces are few and the people who want them are many. Popular stretches of coast will most likely adopt their own ordinances in the coming months, and the overall picture is likely to get stricter, not looser.

Number of the week: −4.5% on the price of diesel in Germany

According to our weekly measurements, diesel in Germany fell 4.5% between 27 September and 3 October: a litre now costs 2.38 euros instead of 2.50. Before that, the price had risen three weeks in a row. Its neighbours also moved down: in Italy diesel fell from 2.37 to 2.30 euros (−3%), in Austria from 2.25 to 2.20 euros (−2.3%), and in Slovenia from 2.01 to 1.95 euros (−2.6%). Across the 27 EU countries the median barely moved (−0.3%), while in Finland, Cyprus and Ireland diesel rose by 1.7–2.5% over the same week.

On an 80-litre tank in Germany, that is almost 9 euros saved compared with last week. But the gap with its neighbours remains: in Austria a litre is still about 18 cents cheaper, which is around 14 euros on a full tank, and in Spain it is 42 cents cheaper. If you are heading south over the Alps, fill up after the border. We update prices for all countries every weekend on the Fuel prices page.

In brief

• USA, overnight club: the hotel group Choice Hotels is buying Harvest Hosts for about 130 million dollars. It is a subscription club that offers overnight stays at more than 11,200 wineries, farms, breweries and museums across North America, and its previous owner bought it in 2021 for 37 million. The brand and its chief executive stay the same, but if you are planning a US trip, keep an eye on the price of the annual membership.
• Netherlands, lawsuit against Stellantis · case ongoing: the first hearing in the Camper Claim case has begun. A foundation backed by the Dutch motorhome club NKC claims that Fiat Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesels in campers from 2009–2022 were fitted with software that understates emissions. The case concerns one vehicle, but thousands of owners depend on the outcome, so keep the documents for your motorhome.
• Netherlands, tax · in force since 1 January 2026: motorhome owners pay half the usual road tax instead of a quarter, and many have started suspending their vehicles between trips: 17,318 applications were filed in the first quarter against 7,593 a year earlier. For buyers this is a plus: there are more used campers on the market and demand has fallen.
• Netherlands, vehicles of the year: the ANWB motoring club named the four-wheel-drive Sunlight IBEX on a Volkswagen Crafter (from 111,000 euros) camper of 2027, and the 1,150 kg Lume Ranger (about 50,000 euros) caravan of the year. A four-wheel-drive camper won this contest for the first time.
• Sweden, market: since the start of the year, 5,152 new motorhomes have been registered, 46.5% more than a year ago, while caravans are down 7.5%. Dealers themselves warn that some vehicles were registered early because of a change in the rules, so real sales are more modest.
• Europe, record: in the first half of 2026, EU campsites welcomed a record 135 million overnight stays. Fewer places are free in season, so you can count on the shoulder season more than on summer.
• Germany, taxes · court ruling: the Baden-Württemberg finance court did not accept a motorhome on an employer's car park as a second home, so the tax deduction for a double household does not apply; only weekly trips home can be claimed.
• Germany, Lower Saxony · rule in force: a farmer may host up to three motorhomes without a permit, as long as the building authority is notified. From the fourth pitch you need approval, toilets and electricity, so farm stays will more often be small.

Where to go

Cornwall and East Devon (England), October. In summer the south-west of England is packed, and car parks with "no overnight stays" signs have long been the main problem for camper owners. Since April the situation has been different: 11 car parks in Cornwall and 10 in East Devon officially allow overnight stays, and the scheme works, with about 1,000 overnight stays in Cornwall and more than 2,600 in East Devon, while local authorities report fewer conflicts and income for local businesses. In Cornwall you can stay no more than two nights in a row, and the vehicle must be self-contained, with its own toilet. In October the school holidays are over, the beaches are emptying, and the autumn Atlantic storms are worth the trip on their own. If you have long wanted to go to England but feared being left without a place for the night, this is your reason.

Be careful

• Germany, motorhomes over 7.5 tonnes · rule in force: a court confirmed the 80 km/h limit on the autobahn and rejected the driver's argument that under the European classification his vehicle is a passenger car (category M1). The fine starts at 68.50 euros, and for exceeding the limit by 21–25 km/h it is 203.50 euros plus a point. Keep to 80, even if the traffic around you is going faster.
• France, street parking · rule in force: under article R417-12 a vehicle may not stay in one spot on the road for more than seven days, and moving a motorhome a few metres is not enough, since the police may treat it as the same parking. If you are leaving the vehicle for a long time, look for a paid site.
• Spain, selling a camper · scam warning: a resident of Biscay handed a camper to a buyer against a forged transfer receipt and lost 45,000 euros, and two days later the vehicle was resold in Galicia. Hand over the keys and documents only when the money has actually arrived in your account, not on the strength of a screenshot.
• Italy, Lake Garda · investigation ongoing: about twenty cabins burned down at the Bella Italia campsite in Peschiera del Garda; 24 people needed help, and exploding gas cylinders made firefighting harder. According to the first account, it all started with a candle. Do not leave open flames unattended, and store cylinders in a closed compartment, not against the wall of a neighbouring cabin.

Calendar of the week: 5 – 11 October

• 7–11 October, Antalya (Turkey): the third Caravanport Antalya show at the ANFAŞ centre, about 50 companies and 80 brands; 40,000 people attended last year.
• 8–11 October, Brussels (Belgium): the 59th Mobicar show over 30,000 m² with test drives; an adult ticket is 12 euros, children under 12 go free.
• 8–11 October, Agen (France): the 20th motorhome and van festival, more than 300 new and used vehicles, free entry with an e-ticket.
• 8–12 October, Rouen (France): the 16th motorhome and caravan show, more than 215 vehicles, test drives and an overnight area for motorhomes.
• 9–12 October, Nantes (France): the Passion Road Trip show, more than 40 brands and 300 vehicles, a ticket is 6 euros online.
• 9–18 October, Saint-Priest near Lyon (France): the big motorhome festival at Euro Service, 150 new 2027 models, free entry.
• 11 October, Görisried (Germany): the Autumn Days in the Allgäu with more than 50 motorhomes and caravans and a family programme; the second day takes place on 17–18 October in Tanners.

A good note to end on

Two stories worth forwarding.

Gardening campers. In Germany there is a club called Wohnmobil für Klimaschutz, with more than 250 motorhome owners who gather about six times a year for conservation work days. This time 23 people cleared a valuable meadow in the Spessart Nature Park of poisonous ragwort by hand and left the park a cheque for 500 euros for new tools. Sometimes the best answer to complaints about motorhomes is simply to show up and help.

Groceries that fly in. The city of Yeongju in South Korea has launched fresh grocery delivery by drone for guests of the auto-camping site at Lake Yeongjuho. Until 29 November, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can order in the app until 4 p.m. and pick up your shopping at the administrative building; the drone lifts up to 7 kg. Forgot the bread for dinner? It will fly in.