From Holiday Dream to Housing Crisis: Tenerife’s Growing Motorhome Communities — and What It Means for Tourism and Rent a Car Services

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A Shifting Landscape on the Island

Tenerife, long celebrated for its sunny beaches, volcanic landscapes, and bustling rent a car industry serving millions of annual visitors, is witnessing an unexpected and dramatic shift in housing trends.
According to new figures from the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), more than 5,000 registered “vehicle-homes” — including motorhomes, caravans, and converted camper vans — now exist on the island.
To put this into perspective, that figure is higher than the population of several of Tenerife’s smaller municipalities.

What was once a niche lifestyle for holidaymakers cruising the island has, in many cases, transformed into a last-resort housing solution for residents unable to secure affordable rental accommodation — especially in Tenerife’s south.

From Tourist Adventure to Full-Time Necessity

For years, motorhomes were synonymous with freedom and exploration, allowing travellers to tour coastal roads without relying on hotels or rent a car services.
But in districts like Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Guía de Isora, clusters of motorhomes now resemble informal settlements rather than short-stay tourist stops.

Residents in areas such as El Rincón de Los Cristianos, La Graciosa, and Paloma Beach have filed multiple complaints with Arona Council.
Concerns include:

  • Public health risks from makeshift waste systems

  • Derelict, abandoned vehicles

  • Unregulated “mini-villages” forming along key roads like Avenida Ámsterdam and near El Callao Beach

Importantly, many of these vehicles are occupied by local workers — shop assistants, waiters, tradespeople — who have been priced out of the rental market, rather than tourists enjoying a seasonal break.

The Law: Parking vs Camping

Spain’s road laws draw a clear distinction between parking and camping.
The DGT states that camping occurs if:

  • Any part of the vehicle extends beyond its perimeter (awnings, chairs, tables, etc.)

  • Not all four wheels remain on the ground

Outside of authorised camping areas, these activities are prohibited and subject to fines ranging from €500 to €5,000.

Approved camping locations in Tenerife include:

  • Camping Nauta (Costa del Silencio)

  • Punta del Hidalgo

  • The island-managed site in Chío

  • Coastal spots authorised by San Miguel de Abona, Los Silos, Garachico, and Buenavista del Norte

Private landowners sometimes allow temporary camping during Easter and summer, but these spaces are scarce and lack the robust facilities common in other European destinations.

A Nationwide Trend

This is not just a Tenerife problem — Spain as a whole is experiencing a motorhome boom.
In 2024, nearly 6,500 new motorhomes were registered, marking a 22% increase compared to the previous year and approaching the pre-pandemic record of 2019.

In the province covering Tenerife:

  • 1,998 registered motorhomes (most under 3,500 kg)

  • 2,677 camper vans

  • 643 mixed-use vehicles adapted for living

  • 219 car-based camper conversions

  • 426 caravan trailers

  • 84 vehicles for hire without drivers — largely motorhomes and camper vans, competing with the rent a car market in the tourism sector

Tourism vs Permanent Residency

Juan Martín, president of ACAT (Tenerife Motorhome Association), insists on separating holiday users from those forced into year-round motorhome living.
While acknowledging overcrowding in certain zones, he argues that law-abiding owners with proper sanitation systems are being unfairly lumped together with problematic cases.

“Our members include professionals from all walks of life — even police officers and civil guards,” Martín said. “Many invest over €50,000 in their motorhomes and contribute significantly to local businesses. We just want to work with councils, not against them.”

The Protest Movement

In February, frustration boiled over as more than 200 motorhome owners staged a protest drive from Tenerife’s south to Santa Cruz, the capital.
Their message was clear:
They feel targeted by certain local authorities, despite paying taxes, following rules, and stimulating the economy — much like the rent a car sector, which relies on mobility and visitor spending.

Impact on the Rent a Car Industry

While it might seem unrelated, this growing mobile home population has a subtle yet significant impact on the rent a car market in Tenerife:

  • Tourist demand shifts: Visitors who might have booked a motorhome are now more likely to opt for hotels and rent a car services, especially in areas where overnight parking restrictions are enforced.

  • Parking scarcity: In popular tourist zones, space taken up by permanent motorhomes can limit availability for hire cars, leading to higher parking demand.

  • Perception of areas: Clusters of permanent motorhomes in prime tourist spots can alter the visual appeal, indirectly influencing where tourists choose to rent vehicles and explore.

Balancing Tourism, Housing, and Mobility

Tenerife’s challenge lies in finding harmony between:

  • Supporting its vital tourism economy (including rent a car providers)

  • Addressing the housing crisis

  • Maintaining clean, safe public spaces

If local authorities, resident groups, and organisations like ACAT can work together, Tenerife can preserve both its reputation as a dream holiday island and its status as a hub for affordable, flexible mobility.