In Palma, more and more people find themselves with no choice but to live in motorhomes. The reason is simple: rent prices in the city have long surpassed what most people can afford. Among them is Begona, 61, who works at a municipal parking lot but even with steady employment, can’t afford to rent an apartment. Her home is four square meters of personal space on wheels, where she feels safe and independent.
City authorities have decided to tighten the rules: now, staying overnight in campervans on the streets could result in fines of up to 1,500 euros. This has caused a wave of discontent among those forced to live this way. Motorhome owners’ associations consider the new measures illegal and hope the municipality will abandon the ban. The issue is set to go before the city council for a vote in April.
Motorhome residents admit: they dream of a real home instead of constantly facing the threat of fines. Pensioners with minimal incomes, like 76-year-old Jesus, can’t even afford a room. They suggest that authorities allocate temporary parking areas until genuine solutions to the housing crisis emerge. Begona recalls a vacant plot earmarked for a new courthouse and believes it could be used for motorhome parking—at least for now.
Studies show that many residents of camper vans are young foreigners with steady jobs, but unable to rent or buy housing. Enrique, a kitchen assistant, notes that authorities don’t solve the problem—they just try to boost the budget through fines. Some residents are forced to hide their names and can’t even move their homes for fear of penalties.
To avoid fines, motorhome owners stick excerpts from the traffic regulations on their windows, which allow parking as long as it’s not camping. Despite this, the atmosphere within these communities remains friendly: people support each other, share advice, and help newcomers. Many believe that living in a room with strangers isn’t the solution, and having their own space—even if on wheels—gives them a sense of dignity.
The issue goes beyond just motorhomes: in Palma, there are also people spending the night in cars or even on the beach. Thomas, a 37-year-old from France, is convinced that the real problem is the lack of affordable housing, not the camper van residents themselves. He urges the authorities to seek real solutions instead of fighting the symptoms. For many, a camper van remains the only way to keep their independence and avoid ending up on the street.
