Travelling to Spain 2024.

[Andy McCannick]

Suggest you go on this website and browse. Hundreds of motorhomers over there currently and no mention anywhere of problems.

What's New

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Andy McCannick]

This thread gives lots of info on travelling, where to park ,campsites etc in Spain .

"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

We (jumar and myself) live in Spain. We now have a "bolthole" apartment, twixt the mountains of Sierra Espuña and the med coast of Puerto Mazarron. But ... we still have many motorhoming trips away. Local(ish) in autumn/winter/spring, and in the summer months, further afield. In the summer...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Merryman]

Have never had a problem with border forces. I do always try to book a site in advance if more than 2 nights. Annoying if you just turn up, and the office is closed or that it is fully booked. Don't forget that many Dutch, Swede and Brits use Aires to get to their final destination. The Boarder Force can't control the Aires.

 

[DXX]

I spent 3 months living in my van in Spain last winter, no campsites, just aires, car parks, on the street, etc.
One way ferry booking, didn’t book return until I’d been there 1 month.
Other than that no planning at all.
No issues at all.
My only interactions with the Police in 3 months
1. Telling me I could stay on a beach car park after they moved the mass of Germans in 8m plus MHs with trailers etc.
2. Moving all vans to the edge of a Malaga stadium car park for a football match.
3. Quick look in my van on the way home in Santander ferry port for illegal migrants.
I’m sure the Daily Mail has a hotline for scare stories.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I spent 3 months living in my van in Spain last winter, no campsites, just aires, car parks, on the street, etc.
One way ferry booking, didn’t book return until I’d been there 1 month.
Other than that no planning at all.
No issues at all.
My only interactions with the Police in 3 months
1. Telling me I could stay on a beach car park after they moved the mass of Germans in 8m plus MHs with trailers etc.
2. Moving all vans to the edge of a Malaga stadium car park for a football match.
3. Quick look in my van on the way home in Santander ferry port for illegal migrants.
I’m sure the Daily Mail has a hotline for scare stories.

AbsolutelyAt the risk of a little light stereotyping; in nearly 40 years of touring Europe for extended periods, I've never found the Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italians anything but accommodating. The Germans & Dutch can be a tad officious, but that's just their way. The Austrians can be obnoxious "Challenging" at times, and I've actually wondered why I bothered going, but it's a lovely country, it just happens to be populated by Austrians. Croatia will be fine once they lose their cold war/iron curtain paranoia, it'll take a couple of generations. Poland is a cracking country, much underrated.
I have no worries about setting off & re-visiting any of the above, and those I haven't already visited. You're hopping across the channel & visiting developed civilised countries, not third world war zones. Just remember you're a visitor in their country, be civil & smile. If you're asked to do something within reason, even if it seems silly & pointless to you, just do it.

 

[DXX]

Just remember you're a visitor in their country, be civil & smile. If you're asked to do something within reason, even if it seems silly & pointless to you, just do it.

The Golden Rule, well said.

 

[Ayjay]

Don't forget that many Dutch, Swede and Brits use Aires to get to their final destination

The Netherlands and Sweden are both EU countries and don't have any travel restrictions within its borders. As far as the EU are concerned, us Brits are undesirable aliens nowadays - even more so after October I think it is when the new visa scheme kicks in.

 

[DXX]

As far as the EU are concerned, us Brits are undesirable aliens nowadays - even more so after October I think it is when the new visa scheme kicks in.

I can’t say I’ve ever felt unwelcome. Spain is highly dependent on tourism, unfortunately as has been seen recently at the expense of the locals much the same as is happening in Cornwall right now.
Lets not forget they are just reacting to what the UK population voted for, too late now to pick and choose which bits we like and don’t like.

 

[Ayjay]

I meant the EU as an organisation not the people. TBH, I suspect a lot of this stuff is just about them making a points and I don't blame them in them for doing it.

 

[JumpShip]

Just come back from 3 months touring in our van through france and spain .
Everything all good as normal , smiley, happy people (most of them anyway).
LOTS more people camping anywhere and everywhere, on rough ground, beach carparks and the like ignoring all the signs saying not to and i think a lot of the locals are getting upset because of this .
Most of the sites we sayed on were packed to the rafters with long staying germans and dutch travellers that like us choose to get away to the sun while its cold back home but have less limitations on length of stay.

 

[3crispies]

Just back after a month, no issues what so ever. Used s4s and never planned anything, booked return tunnel about an hour before it left as we normally do. Never had UK sticker, beam benders tbh your not on the police radar, learn dutch or german you will need it every other van is theirs !!!. Only recommendation get a polarity mains tester, 2 pin adaptor and use coordinates for sites the spanish postcodes are somewhat challenging !! and fuel up in Spain its way cheaper....

 

[Roodedoo]

I spent 4 months last year touring and working around Scandinavia. No problems at all.
I obviously forgot I wasn't Schengen anymore and overstayed a month - no problems at passport control.

When I slipped a disc, tree clearing, the hospital didn't know what to do with me. I was more exotic than a Ukrainian refugee.

It's a hard pill to swallow, not being in the EU anymore, and often, they're as confused about it all as we are.
Re. police and regs, complete luck of the draw.
Smile and wave....