Mallorca housing crisis forces residents to live in caravans

The Vox party will propose a motion to create a service area for caravans, motorhomes, and camper vans in the municipality of Andratx. The initiative aims to address the issue of unauthorized parking in places like gas stations and sewers. The party seeks legal support from the Council of Mallorca and the allocation of space for a regulated parking and waste disposal zone.

Overnight regulations for motorhomes and camper vans differ between Spain and Portugal, risking fines. In Spain, sleeping in a vehicle is permitted if it does not occupy extra space or discharge waste, though local authorities can impose bans. In Portugal, overnight stays are generally only allowed in designated areas, with a 48-hour exception for motorhomes outside protected natural zones.

Around a dozen fines have been issued this month to caravans and motorhomes for breaching municipal regulations. The penalties are for infractions related to parking, camping, and using the vehicles as permanent residences. Local rules prohibit staying in the same spot for over seven days, camping, or using the vehicle as a habitual dwelling.

In Spain, owners of a camper van they use as a permanent home found squatters inside. The intruders broke into the vehicle, set up camp, and caused damage, including a destroyed bathroom. Police have detained one of the suspects.

Nearly a hundred people live in caravans, motorhomes, and camper vans at the Sacaba Beach settlement in Malaga due to housing unaffordability. Property prices in the city reached a historic high of €3,623 per square meter. Many settlement residents are forced into mobile living due to low incomes and high rental costs.

The tourism company Barbentia, which offers routes for motorhomes and camper vans on the Camino de Santiago, won the top prize of 4,800 euros. The winner plans to expand its offer beyond Galicia, citing Spain's lag behind France and Germany in camper tourism development.