Tenerife: Thousands of people live in vans due to housing crisis

According to the Spanish road service (DGT), there are currently over 5,000 "homes on wheels" in Tenerife. This includes regular camper vans, converted vans, and caravans.

It turns out that this is like the 32nd largest city on the island in terms of population! This is because motorhome tourism is becoming increasingly popular not only as a way to travel but also as a solution to the housing crisis.

This problem is particularly acute in tourist areas, such as southern Tenerife. Many people who work here simply cannot find normal housing near their work, so they live in vans.

In Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Guía de Isora, entire "villages" of camper vans have sprung up. Local residents complain about unsanitary conditions, old vans occupying public space, and even unauthorized structures near El Callao beach. They say that most of these people are not tourists but simply those who have nowhere to live.

A similar situation is observed in other parts of the island, such as near the coast of Arico, in Puertito de Güímar, or in Candelaria. It is important to distinguish between those who simply "park" and those who "camp." The latter can result in a fine of €500 to €5,000 if, for example, the wheels of the vehicle are not on the ground or if there are any items sticking out of the caravan.

In Tenerife, "camping" is only allowed in special campsites, such as Nauta, Punta del Hidalgo, or Chío, as well as in campsites by the sea in San Miguel de Abona, Los Silos, Garachico, or Buenavista del Norte.

Other private areas open during Easter or summer, but they are usually small and not very well equipped compared to European ones.

Official data for last year in Tenerife is not yet available, but in general, motorhome tourism is gaining momentum in Spain. In 2024, almost 65,000 such vehicles were registered, which is 22% more than the previous year. This is almost a record of 2019, when there were 6,800 registrations.

According to the DGT, about 2,000 camper vans are registered in Tenerife, most of which weigh up to 3.5 tons.

The DGT explains that "camper vehicle" is not an official term, but there is data on similar types of transport: "van-dwelling" (2,677), "mixed vehicle-dwelling" (643), and "vehicle-dwelling based on a passenger car" (219). There are also 426 caravan trailers on the island.

There are 84 vehicles available for rent without a driver, mainly camper vans (47) and "van-dwellings" (34). The DGT reports that a total of 20,737 (2022), 25,605 (2023), and 19,257 (as of October 2024) were registered in the province.

Juan Martín, head of the Tenerife Caravan Association (Acat), wants to distinguish between those who travel in a caravan and those who are forced to live in one. He understands that there are now too many caravans in some cities but insists that "we continue to be demonized and persecuted, even though our camper vans have all the amenities. How long will this last?"

Martín recalls that his association is "ecological," and those who violate the rules are punished or excluded. "We have professionals from various fields, even police officers who know the traffic rules. Our members spend over €50,000 on their vans, they are wealthy people who leave money in Guía de Isora or anywhere else on the island," says Martín.

"We want the municipalities to be more open to us, to know us and allow us to cooperate. We cannot be treated so degradingly," he concluded.

In protest, more than 200 caravan owners blocked roads on the island last year. They are no longer just tourists but a large group of people who need attention. And all this is happening against the backdrop of the fact that many people are still waiting for normal housing.