The motorhome sector has seen a boom in Spain since the Covid-19 pandemic, sparking issues with overcrowding and a fight for space not only at campsites but also in the streets of many towns and cities.
In 2024, motorhome and campervan registrations reached 6,459 units in Spain, 22.1 percent more than in 2023.
This is close to the 6,851 registered in 2020 and just over a thousand units short of the 2019 industry record.
And that’s not to mention all the motorhome owners that come down from the rest of Europe.
Ralf Lüpkes, administrator of the Facebook page Spain Campers, told the Huffington Post that Spain welcomes millions of motorhomes every year and that this growth seems unstoppable.
What began as an alternative way to travel and explore the country has now become so popular it causes overcrowding at camp sites, creates environmental issues, and leads to restrictions in many coastal towns.
The trend is also contributing to a lack of parking spaces for locals in normal residential streets where residents are now struggling to find spots in which to park their cars.
This is particularly problematic on Spain’s islands, in locations such as Palma de Mallorca, Fuerteventura, Ibiza or Maspalomas in Gran Canaria.
And it’s not only holidaymakers who own these motorhomes. Spain’s housing crisis has seen many Spaniards have to live full-time in their vehicles as they can’t afford the rents or prices of regular properties.
In fact, the City Council of the Mallorcan capital brought out legislation in early 2025 which would see caravan and motorhome owners fined for living in their vehicles, only to backtrack on the bylaw after realising they’d be largely targeting vulnerable residents.
The lack of campsite facilities in Spain to support both tourists and residents who’ve fallen on hard times is also to blame for motorhomes taking over cities.
Spain is home to around 1,200 caravan sites, while there are nearly 7,000 in France and almost 5,000 in Germany.
The lack of services is most evident in coastal areas, especially in Andalusia, Valencia, and Cantabria, but also in Madrid.
READ ALSO: What’s the law on camping in Spain?
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According to Lüpkes, there are more than 200 campsites and pitches between Orihuela Costa and Málaga, but during the high season they are completely full, with waiting lists as far back as January and February.
Some motorhome owners are even resorting to parking on beaches, in vineyards, or even in protected areas, which in many places is illegal. This in turn has created tension and disagreements with local residents and environmentalists.
Back in March of this year residents in Fuengirola were furious that camper vans were using public car parks for prolonged stays.
In some towns, restrictions and fines have already been imposed to curb illegal parking, particularly in the Alicante province.
Santa Pola and Elche have introduced several restrictions and fines.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about Spain’s campervan and motorhome rules
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In Moraira, the City Council has discovered illegal dumping and rubbish left in vineyards and streams, leading to increased fines and police controls.
In Villajoyosa, the local police constantly pursue illegal camping, but a lack of resources prevents complete control.
In Águilas, the situation is similar, despite the signs and rules, motorhomes continue to occupy restricted spaces, which has forced the City Council to strengthen measures to keep them out.
Lüpkes proposes installing mobile parking meters and waste collection points in with rates of €9 or €10 per day.
José Manuel Jurado, president of the Spanish Association of Caravan Industry and Commerce ( ASEICAR ), believes that regions should open up new sites, which are “positive for the economy of the towns” and for holidaymakers. Jurado believes that Galicia and Castilla y León, have done a good job recently with creating numerous sites specifically for motorhomes and caravans.
