What Are the Ongoing Yearly Costs of Owning a Campervan?

What Does It Actually Cost to Own a Campervan Per Year?

Buying and converting a van is one thing — but what about the ongoing costs? Here's an honest breakdown of annual expenses.

Fixed Costs

Insurance: €400–€900/year Depends on the vehicle, your age, country, and whether it's registered as a cargo van or campervan. More details in our dedicated insurance article.

Road tax: €100–€500/year Varies by country, engine size, and emissions class. Diesel vans are typically more expensive.

Annual inspection (MOT/APK/TÜV): €50–€150 Mandatory in most European countries. Frequency depends on the vehicle's age.

Roadside assistance: €50–€150/year Highly recommended. ADAC (Germany), ANWB (Netherlands), AA (UK), or pan-European options.

Variable Costs

Fuel: €1,500–€4,000/year The biggest variable. Depends on:

• How much you drive (15,000–30,000 km is typical)
• Fuel efficiency (8–12L per 100 km for most vans)
• Fuel prices in the countries you visit

Maintenance and repairs: €500–€1,500/year Average for a well-maintained van:

• Oil changes and filters: €100–€200
• Brake pads and discs: €200–€400 (every 2–3 years)
• Tires: €400–€800 (every 3–4 years)
• Unexpected repairs: budget €500/year

Gas refills: €50–€150/year For cooking and heating (if gas-powered). Very affordable.

Campsite fees: €0–€3,000/year Entirely depends on your style:

• Wild camping and free spots: €0
• Mix of free and paid: €500–€1,500
• Mostly campsites: €2,000–€3,000+

Total Annual Cost Estimate

| Category | Low | Medium | High | |----------|-----|--------|------| | Insurance | €400 | €600 | €900 | | Road tax | €100 | €250 | €500 | | Inspection | €50 | €100 | €150 | | Roadside assist | €50 | €100 | €150 | | Fuel | €1,500 | €2,500 | €4,000 | | Maintenance | €500 | €1,000 | €1,500 | | Gas | €50 | €100 | €150 | | Campsites | €0 | €1,000 | €3,000 | | Total | €2,650 | €5,650 | €10,350 |

Compared to Traditional Travel

Consider that a budget hotel costs €60–€100/night and a rental car costs €30–€50/day. A two-week vacation can easily cost €2,000–€3,000 in accommodation and transport alone. Your campervan costs a fraction of that — and it's always ready to go.

The Takeaway

A realistic budget for annual campervan ownership is €3,000–€6,000 for moderate use. It's significantly cheaper than traditional traveling, and every trip you take reduces the per-trip cost of your initial investment.