🇪🇸 Spain — OpenVan.camp

Ibiza authorities have tightened rules for motorhomes since 2024, prohibiting long-term parking and overnight stays in rural areas. The fine for entering without a permit during high season can reach 10,000 euros, and for parking in a prohibited zone — from 10,001 to 30,000 euros. In summer 2025, a motorhome was fined for both violations, which could total 40,000 euros. Legal stay requires prior booking at an official campsite.

The Spanish Constitution and court rulings recognize motorhomes and campers as dwellings, protecting them from search without a judicial warrant or owner's consent. To qualify for this status, the vehicle must have a sleeping area, kitchen, and toilet. The protection applies only to the living area, not the driver's cab.

A motorhome driver was arrested while attempting to smuggle a large shipment of hashish into Ceuta. Judicial authorities have ordered her preventive imprisonment in Mendizábal prison, where she faces over four years in jail. 600 kilograms of drugs were found in a double bottom of the vehicle. The Civil Guard and Moroccan authorities are investigating how the vehicle managed to pass through border controls.

The Dethleffs Trend I 7057 EBL motorhome, one of the brand's most popular models, has been tested. The 7.4-meter-long vehicle has a base price under €100,000, accommodates up to four people, and has a gross weight of 3.5 tons, allowing it to be driven with a standard category B license. The test vehicle featured a 180 hp diesel engine instead of the standard 140 hp unit.

The Prime 2024 sale features a review of tech gadgets for motorhomes and camper vans. Key devices include portable solar power systems for off-grid energy, mobile Wi-Fi routers for connectivity on the road, and tire pressure monitoring systems for safety. The article also covers portable refrigerators, security solutions, and gadgets for outdoor recreation.

An analysis shows that buying a camper van to save on vacation is often not justified. The average cost of a camper van is around €40,000, with annual maintenance expenses reaching up to €2,000. For a couple traveling 15 days a year, these funds could finance over 16 years of traditional vacations. Economic viability only emerges with intensive use of the vehicle for more than 60 days per year.

A Spanish couple has been living in a 5 m² motorhome for four years, spending about 100 euros per week. Their initial investment was 8000 euros for the van and 3000 euros for conversion. Energy needs are met by a 200 Ah lithium battery and a 400 W solar panel, and heating requires only two butane gas bottles per year.

Spain's General Directorate of Traffic has updated the regulations for vehicle technical inspections. Category M motorhomes are exempt from inspection for the first four years, then require it every two years until ten years, and annually thereafter. Category N camper vans based on vans must undergo inspection annually until ten years and twice a year after eleven years.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of holding his girlfriend captive in a motorhome parked in a lemon grove in Murcia. Police were alerted after the victim, while calling her bank to cancel a card, briefly informed an employee of her situation. The woman was found inside the vehicle with visible injuries, and it was also discovered that she herself had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Retired owners of motorhomes and camper vans are increasingly using practical accessories to enhance comfort and safety. A folding step (€50–80) facilitates entry, an LED night light with motion sensor (€15–30) prevents falls, and a viscoelastic mattress topper (€70–180) improves sleep quality. Anti-slip bathroom mats, foldable shower stools, and shopping trolleys are also popular.

The Civil Guard arrested a woman at the El Tarajal border on Monday. A routine inspection of her motorhome revealed a hidden compartment containing approximately 800 kilograms of hashish.

The new caravan parking in Burriana reached full capacity during its first week of operation. The 2,500 m² facility at Serratella beach has 18 spaces and provides water, electricity, and sewage connections.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

An Ibiza resident was fined 290 euros for parking a caravan on a public street. Local authorities have limited parking of residential vehicles to 72 hours and banned campers from parking outside designated areas, creating difficulties for low-income workers.

Travel in motorhomes and camper vans continues to gain popularity in Europe as an alternative to traditional tourism. At the Caravanning Show in Barcelona 2025, over 70% of visitors showed interest in such vehicles. The company Roadsurfer, a European leader in camper van rentals, is expanding its operations, including into the United States.

French manufacturer Caravelair has introduced the Sport Line 496 caravan for the 2026 season. The model, measuring under 5 meters in length, accommodates six people and features three sleeping areas, including two rear bunks and a front fixed bed. Standard equipment includes a kitchen with a two-burner hob, an electric cassette toilet, a Truma 3004 heating system, a 50-liter fresh water tank, and a 30-liter waste water tank.

The Provincial Council of A Coruña has launched a third tender for a project to build a motorhome area in the municipality of Cabanas, following two previous failed attempts. The contract is valued at 175,996.27 euros and involves developing a 6,000-square-meter municipal plot with drinking water supply points, wastewater disposal systems, and parking for people with reduced mobility. The project is part of the Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan for Fragas do Eume, funded by EU Next Generation funds, with bids accepted until April 27.

Authorities in Almería are installing physical barriers at the former fairground site to prevent illegal motorhome parking. The municipality is also developing specific regulations for such vehicles, while evictions are taking place in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park due to environmental damage. Registrations of new motorhomes and campers in Spain increased by 26.4% in March.

Motorhome sales in Spain increased by almost 19% in 2025, reaching 3,667 new units, while camper van registrations fell by 29%. In the Murcia region, registrations of new motorhomes and campers increased by 4.8%, totaling 131 vehicles. Dealers report that customers are shifting to mid-to-high-range motorhomes due to greater space and comfort.

Due to high housing prices in Spain, more people are considering living in a motorhome as a temporary solution. Antonio, a 37-year-old teacher, saves on rent by using solar panels and free water, with his main expense being about 20 euros for propane. The Spanish Caravanning Industry Association notes that most motorhomes are used for tourism and calls on authorities to address the housing crisis.

Many modern motorhomes are advertised as sleeping five people but are only homologated for four passengers during travel. This is a widespread practice driven by strict safety regulations for travel seats and the 3500 kg weight limit for a standard driver's license (Category B in many regions). Manufacturers often prioritize living space and flexible layouts over the number of certified travel seats.

Spain's Civil Guard has clarified fines for violations when using caravans and motorhomes. Being in the living area of a caravan while it is moving results in a €200 fine, and motorhomes require certified passenger restraint systems. Technical inspection rules have also been updated, and signs for wastewater disposal have been introduced.

The municipality of La Pobla de Farnals is seeking to reduce tensions between residents and caravan owners over beach parking. Authorities cannot legally regulate parking on private undeveloped lots, and the existing designated rest area is consistently full. The primary users are foreigners, mainly from the Netherlands and Germany.

German company VANME has unveiled a custom camper van based on the Mercedes Sprinter L3H2, designed for mountain bikers. The rear features a garage system for four bikes with a pull-out platform and a mounting arm. The interior uses purple accents, walnut wood elements, and is equipped with a smart control system, two 230 Ah lithium batteries, and a solar panel.

Volkswagen has introduced the updated Grand California 2026 motorhome range with the new special Dune series. The model is available in two body variants up to 6.8 meters long, equipped with a 2.0 TDI diesel engine producing 163 hp and an automatic transmission. In Germany, prices start from €88,964 for the short 600 version and from €91,885 for the extended 680 version.

Spanish authorities are tightening rules for motorhomes and campervans ahead of the summer season. Parking within 100 meters of beaches, setting up tables, and cooking outside designated areas are now prohibited. Vehicles older than four years must undergo mandatory technical inspections with a frequency ranging from once to twice per year.

The Civil Guard intercepted a car towing a caravan traveling in the wrong direction on the A-33 and A-35 highways in Valencia. The incident occurred on the night of March 26, and the 64-year-old driver is under investigation for reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

A private parking project for motorhomes has been approved in the tourist municipality of Monsagro in the province of Salamanca. The regional government of Castile and León has approved the environmental impact report, and the applicant has up to four years to implement it.

The average booking lead time for motorhomes and camper vans in Spain is 15 weeks, with trips lasting 11 days. Bookings for European destinations have increased from 53% in 2025 to 77% this year, a trend experts attribute to international instability. Rental costs range from 80 to 200 euros per day, excluding additional expenses.

A Spanish couple aged 22 with a combined monthly income of 2,170 euros analyzed their expenses. They plan to buy a used motorhome for 15,000–30,000 euros. According to their calculations, the monthly cost of living in it would be 600–1,200 euros, including overnight stays, fuel, and maintenance.