The hard part is the registration and insurance, without which, you cant legally drive the motorhome. There are a few blogs and forums out there that discuss this topic in more detail. Other From the author Hey! They had 3 young kids they were world schooling as they travelled through Europe. We are interested in buying from Europe as we keep reading second hand motorhomes are cheaper abroad! So, you will save some money on meals in an RV, but if RV travel is to be a bargain, the big savings have to come from skipping expensive hotel rooms. This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience, http://motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com/, www.motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com. Want more Wheelingit? Europe has one of the best train networks in the world and travelling by rail is very rewarding and wonderful experience but its not cheap even with a pass and most passes are only good for a short period of time. My recommendation would be to decide which method you think would work best for you, and then investigate every company you can find that offers that method. The other side is that Euro Camping Cars have been doing this a long time, its perfectly legal, all sorted with a Chartered Account and they have it down to a fine art. On average, a motorhome will depreciate around 4000 a year (up to a certain point) and around 1000 per 10,000km (6213 mi). This is one of the biggest advantages of this method in the UK. Would never px to a dealer unless you stand with yer legs wide open and get ready for a good kicking in the plums. You need investigate further for yourself. There are multiple options, multiple degrees of ownership and multiple ways to lose your money. Please NOTE the following information I am about to provide was current at the time of writing (2018/2019) pre-pandemic. Best of luck, if you ever do it let me know . I also mention a few insurance companies. based on a massive 685 Europe motorhome rental customer reviews.. MOTORVANA uses buying power to offer you big savings versus renting direct. If you want help, Euro Camping Cars can assist you with this as well. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. and that is for a Welcome not a bog standard Flash on a Ford base There is no restriction on the number made as there is with RHD, so plenty around new with a lot of very competitive quotes. The high season is around April- September, so if you buy outside that you might get a great deal. The absolute benefit to buying a motorhome in France over other places or other by other means is that you own the title and the registration certificate. If it serves the purpose and is the right price and condition, then you dont need to be too fussy. Sounds fantastic and I believe anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it. While there are a lot of companies in the UK who specialize in export to New Zealand, there are much less who specialize into importing into Australia. There are three ways to procure a motorhome in Europe. I can see no why so many people are confused. Youll need to contact a lot of them direct as their websites dont have all the information. The Turkish Lira fall has made Turkey one of the cheapest countries in Europe. This is because they have the title. If you intend to travel for months or even a year then buying is definitely going to be the cheaper option. Only one contact and has proven not to always be easy to get hold of straight away. SARL Direction France The rabbit hole of trying to find out how to buy your own motorhome in Europe. The UKs personal Export Scheme is the only other way that you have full and complete ownership of your vehicle and registration when youre buying as a non resident. Research is my jam. A large family that wants to get away from the chores and simply enjoys the freedom of the road might choose hotel travel, even though it is the more expensive alternative for them. Contrary to popular belief, parking an RV for the night is usually not free. Its apparently a very common thing to do. You can also comprehensively insure the vehicle for use anywhere in Europe. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Would I buy again through Camperfun or Europe-Roadtrip? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For all intents and purposes, if you dont have ownership, youre essentially hiring it. You might need to spend $100,000 or more to buy a new RV, so it only makes sense to try a rental for a few times before considering the added financial commitment of a lease or full ownership. There are cab area, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room, and plenty of storage compartments make it one of the best class C RV. Think of the freedom! Switzerland has only 1 type: 1 year is ca. (Diesel fuel could cost even more.) A motorhome cannot be bought or sold without it. These are common. You are legitimately and legally the motorhome owner. Road taxes for a motorhome over 3500kg (7700 lb) is approximate 200 per month (US $225) that youre driving on UK roads. They travel with their dog Alisa, who they adopted in Croatia. Company registration number: 518 831 177 Austria has Stickers for 70, euros a year, another one for any 60 consecutive days or 10 days. You dont have to worry about trying to sell it at the end. Then I thought hey why not do both? For more information, please see our affiliate disclaimer here. We were able to kit out our motorhome with all the homewares and necessities we needed which saved us a heap of extra outlay. From my research, if I were going to do this, Id do it in the UK. Money has a way of doing all kinds of weird things to relationships. You will need to pay to have your motorhome shipped to your home country within 12 months of purchase, You may have to pay taxes or import duties to bring it into your country of residence. When you take the time to choose a motorhome that you like, If youre intending to return to Europe semi-regularly you can always, You have the benefit of controlling things like the. I guess one of the biggest advantages is the ease of the transaction. Car and campervan hire give you the flexibility to go where you want and when you want and for a short vacation its a perfect choice but for long term travel it doesnt make economic sense. We also considered next time maybe buying one in the UK. Another option if you wanted to leave your place furnished is to Airbnb it, there are plenty of management agencies that take care of Airbnb, and youre covered for damage. Also, VAT is also payable if you write off the motorhome or it is stolen. The Gulf Stream BTouring Cruiser 5210 is the cheapest model of this line at a suggested retail price of $110,573. Its not a budget travellers paradise by any means although Eastern Europe and Spain/Portugal are kinder to the pocket. Even though the motorhome isnt exactly what we were looking for in the beginning as we wanted something 6 meters or less we were happy with what we got in the end and having that extra space is a bonus. The biggest challenges in buying a motorhome in Europe as a non resident are, Aside from offering buy back schemes, the Netherlands hire companys can act as agents, offering advice and helping you to register and insure a motorhome. Australia isnt really setup for fully furnished rentals, so if anyone knows anything about places that do say 12 month fully furnished rental management let me know. Studies are all over the board on this important figure. Note: Kosovo is not covered but you can purchase basic insurance at the border. Sounds crazy and expensive but I believe it can be done! travellerswithtime.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to Amazon.com, Buying a motorhome in Europe for non-residents. Full compliance, especially electrical compliance is mandatory if you ever want to be able to see your motorhome in Australia. As mentioned already the whole process is like a long lease arrangement. From my research it appears that it is more difficult for individuals to import a motorhome into Australia, than it is for businesses. They are all different and have different pros and cons. There are a couple of companies who do it well and they seem to dominate their area, because you know, you can find their information. This is their area of expertise. These cookies do not store any personal information. You do not pay the road tax while the vehicle is off the road. This is the problem that all these solutions are trying to solve. The whole premise of the Personal Export Scheme is that you must then export your motorhome to another country. Widths also vary from around 2.1 metres to up to 2.49m, so opt for a slimline model - under 2.25m wide - if you intend to explore narrow rural roads. But the family of four that can make do with one room per night might be at the lower end of the savings scale. It's often wise to rent an RV for a long weekend trip that doesn't take you too far from home. There are some conditions to this so here is the UK Government web page for more information. I thought about local, but its a big country with not much in it, so prefer US or Europe where there is so much to more variety to see. Dont forget, if you buy it in the UK youll need to get insurance that covers the whole of Europe, and pay to bring the motorhome to the mainland. MOT (date of) Driving licence- yes, your UK driving licence is legal in Europe but you might need an International Driving Permit. In saying that though, you can probably pick up some bargains on Gumtree and eBay if you prefer a right-hand drive, but they are likely to be older vehicles and getting them through the UK MOT might be painful. Key Renting Tips: Prices for 1 week mid-November in Madrid, Spain. Feedback from past clients via my blog is receiving vehicles that have not been properly serviced or maintained leaving you with the possibility of expensive outlay especially as their warranty is basic and only covers the engine. You should be able to find a reputable facilitator to help you navigate this, either in the UK or in Australia. Groceries must be purchased. 10. Why we chose to buy a motorhome For two main reasons: To save money Flexibility and freedom To save money As beautiful and diverse as Europe is it comes at a price. IdeaMerge recommends starting your rental in Germany: "even if the bulk of your itinerary lies outside Germany." Once the company is established, youre able to legally purchase a vehicle and register it in your name through the company. If you want to try and create a Sociele Civile yourself, you may hit a bit of a wall as you do need an address in France. The Green Card is an international certificate of insurance providing visiting motorists the minimum compulsory insurance cover required by the law of the country visited. It makes sense then, that the longer you have the motorhome, and the further you drive with it, the less youll get back at the end of the term. It isnt easy. However this could technically be a valid option for almost any country in the world. Motorhome logbook (the REAL one- not a copy) If the vehicle is company-owned, hired or leased, you need a letter from the company stating their permission for the vehicle to go to Europe. The buy back percentage can be anywhere from 30-70% of the total that you paid. From what we read others have bought vehicles sight unseen, but we were not going to do that, you would not buy a car sight-unseen so why would you do it with a motorhome! We actually met an Australian family in Croatia who had used a buy back system from the Netherlands. We felt the personal service wasnt there as its a large motorhome dealership, Vehicle comes empty, you would have to kit it out and this costs money and time. COVID has put a hold on this for the time being but we still hope we can at least buy a van in 2021. You have chosen your vehicle and now you have to pay for it! Oregon Trailer Do Drop. During storage the insurance changes to mandatory of just 80 a month which covers fire and theft. This allows you to try out an RV without spending as much money. Share it with a contribution towards the Wheelingit beer fund (or rum fund, depending on weather & other random factors). If the motorhome is registered in someone elses name, and the insurance is in their name, you need to make sure that you, as a non resident, foreign driver, are covered. This article contains affiliate links. Will it be the UK or the continent? Read the full description of our solution in France for overseas buyers. The owner has an Australian bank account, so you can pay in dollars into that account. What are some of the biggest challenges with buying a motorhome as a non resident? After you purchase a vehicle using the Personal Export Scheme, you own it. Mistake #7: Thinking You Can Avoid All This by Buying Used. In many respects, buying a used Motorhome is like buying a used car. There is an option to buy insurance at the border, costs will vary. This usually depends on how long you kept the motorhome and sometimes how many kilometers you drove it during your road trip. Subscribers do not see these advertisements, To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun. You will find everything you need for . This means that they own it. The idea of buying a motorhome/camper is a dream but I wont lie here, it does come at a cost. Large cities are not RV-friendly, while remote scenic wonders might not offer many decent hotel options. I searched Germany as well but found nothing. At the time of writing, this blog a company called. Consider the prospect of two weeks exploring the American West for a family of four. You will enjoy your ride because the Sunseeker Motorhome presents multiple luxury facilities to make your stay comfortable. The scheme involves creating a simple, legal structure to enable you (no matter where in the world you are resident) to have full legal title to a vehicle and hold the registration certificate in your name. You can organize people to do the inspection for you, but you of course youre relying on them to do a good job. Visit our MEGA STORE on site or online. 5 ways of buying a motorhome in Europe as a non resident, Using Euro Camping Cars to facilitate your purchase, Buying and registering your motorhome after your company is set up, You own the motorhome title and registration is in your name, Time and costs involved in setting up a French company, Buying a motorhome in the UK using the Personal Export Scheme, How to buy a motorhome in UK using this scheme, Additional expenses with the Personal Export Scheme, Exporting your motorhome to New Zealand from the UK, Exporting your motorhome into Australia from the UK, Using a facilitator for import into Australia, Exporting a motorhome from the UK to North America, Pros and cons of using the UKs Personal Export Scheme to buy a motorhome, Which UK companies operate the Personal Export Scheme, Conditions of motorhome buy back schemes in the UK and other countries, Selling the motorhome or campervan at the end of your holiday, Using a buy back scheme in the Netherlands, Selling a campervan bought through a Dutch buy back scheme, Companies in the UK or Netherlands who offer buy back schemes, Buying a motorhome in the Netherlands using agents, Pros and cons of having someone else buy and register your motorhome, differences between campervans and motorhome, Travelling Europe in a campervan or motorhome, How to travel around Europe in a campervan or motorhome, Do I need an international driving permit, travelling through Europe in a campervan or motorhome, Do I need an International Driving Permit for Europe, When is the best time to visit the Netherlands. Your insurance will need to cover your motorhome in full, for the amount including VAT so that youre not out of pocket further if this happens. Nothing but good words to say about them. Learn more about buying a . Thanks to our legally ratified, trusted route to motorhome ownership many Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans are now enjoying the . You can find plenty of markets, mosques and activities, even for a long stay, and the rest of Turkey is cheaper. Closed on Sunday and Monday, 2020 Direction France As for language Google 'English-german' and use the translation service there. If you buy a campervan or motorhome through a UK buy back scheme, you own the vehicle outright, and as a result you can see it to whom ever you like, whenever you like. Fiat Ducato Motorhome All images courtesy of Fiat. We are located at two Dealerships in Germany and the Netherlands. Again, please do your own homework on the companies themselves, Ive just tried to give you examples and options, I havent vetted any of them. Over the last few years weve met many people who have purchased their motorhomes in Europe, despite not being residents. Also in the UK the insurance is more costly and especially when you extend it to cover Europe, UK insurers are also known to put caveats on the amount of time you can spend in Europe at anyone time. Many of our overseas buyers are surprised and delighted by the reasonable prices of buying . As with all things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time. Its great for a short vacation up to a month but you need a second mortgage if you want to travel this way for months on end. The advantage of buying in the UK is there is no language barrier although we never had issues with this in the Netherlands! Insurance companies in the UK are known to do this. I havent heard about EuroCampingCars, I just looked them up and researched what people say and they seem to have excellent reviews. Very interesting reading. We have good news for motor-home users :In sum, we have recently added 8 new camper-vans on our website Eurocampingcars.com, [] Read more, The legendary yacht race Vende Globe has just kicked off this week. We are concessionaires for three top European manufacturers and have chosen them very carefully to ensure we can offer a choice that covers everything our buyers demand from great value to top quality motorhome options. Technically, you could travel Europe for one year, and then head to North America for one year. Dont just assume that you are. This is called different things in different countries but its basically a test of road worthiness. Camping in Europe is pretty darn cheap (the biggest attraction, really). Can I buy a motorhome in Europe as a non resident? I hear you ask. Both businesses were within half an hour drive of each other. This is mandatory in the Netherlands and in the UK if you choose to buy there. Although you will have full ownership if you buy in the UK. Camperfun have a Australian bank account so you have the option of transferring the amount into that account to save on conversion fees. Its no secret that having your own wheels means you can go where you want and when you want. Fifth Wheel Camper - 2019 Keystone RV Montana 3120RL. The disadvantage of this scheme is you may get much less for it as opposed to trying to sell it privately. You cant be completely sure that everything is fine until you arrive and pick up your motorhome. Gasoline: $350 (3,500 miles, 30 MPG, gas $3 a gallon), Gasoline $1,050 (3,500 miles, 10 MPG, gas $3 a gallon). When you have finished your holiday, youre able to sell the campervan or motorhome, as the titled owner, to anyone you wish. Once your company is set up and registered youll receive a Extrait denregistrement au Gieffe de Commerce which shows that you own the company and allows you to register vehicles in the companies name. Buying and registering a campervan in Europe. If you are reading this, the chances are that you have been looking into the options for motorhome or campervan ownership in France already and we expect you will by now be surprised at just how complicated the question of vehicle ownership here can be. But some budget travelers expect the RV option to be far cheaper than it is, perhaps because they associate it with "roughing it." This can apparently be done through EuroCampingCars.com in France. Especially with a motorhome as you want to see if the layout and bed size was right for you, after all, it was going to be your home on wheels for quite some time, so you want to be happy and comfortable with it. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Feeling the love? If your intention is to travel Europe for 12 months or more, buying your own motorhome, either new or used is a great option. Ive written an article on the differences between campervans and motorhome is youre unsure of which option you really want. Best places to buy, Belgium or Germany, Belgium has the advantage most dealers will drive the van to the port for you. Thanks Gary. Don't laugh, people do buy motorhomes in shady deals from men in pub car parks. Vehicles average 10 to 20 years old although I have been told that, Tardy with a response. 8-9 m (~26-29 ft) is considered HUGE. Built on the Genesis Framework. The vehicle is 100% yours to do with what you wish. Motorhome shows are also a great place to land a good deal, both for new models or used, and there are many of these around the UK throughout the year. Once it's over here, how difficult will it be to sell or trade in a used LHD MoHo? The advantage is that you know you already have a buyer and youre not stuck with the stress of trying to sell the vehicle. There are certain circumstances where the VAT that you didnt pay, under the scheme, can come due. For example, if you were to purchase a vehicle in the UK then you need to know the following: In short, UK insurance companies are restrictive and expensive in comparison to European Insurances and even more of a pain if you are not a UK resident. Obviously as a non resident, someone coming from overseas, you dont have a local address. Loads cheaper than here. From this dealer, youll need to buy either a new or a used motorhome. If you dont have an EU licence, then its a good idea to have an IDP as some countries may ask for it. My partner is FROM the Netherlands, he is a Dutch citizen, and we had this problem on our first trip because he wanted to register a car, but we were technically residents of Australia! This is the cheapest option for long-term traveling in Europe and you can. However non residents of the USA, can apply for an exemption if you plan to use the motorhome for personal use of up to 1 year. To join in you must be a valid option for long-term traveling in Europe as we reading... Could technically be a member of MotorhomeFun valid option for almost any country the... Are some of these cookies may have an IDP as some countries may for... Mid-November in Madrid, Spain too fussy ratified, trusted route to motorhome ownership many Australians New! Almost any country in the UK Google 'English-german ' and use the translation service.!, motorhomes depreciate in value over time these cookies may have an EU licence then. Be to sell it privately things, motorhomes depreciate in value over.! Uk if you write off the motorhome and sometimes how many kilometers you drove it during your trip., it does come at a suggested retail price of $ 110,573 of straight.! Plenty of markets, mosques and activities, even for a family four! Say and they seem to have excellent reviews us a heap of extra.... Trusted route to motorhome ownership many Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans are now enjoying.. Depending on weather & other random factors ) you didnt pay, under the Scheme can! You will enjoy your ride because the Sunseeker motorhome presents multiple luxury facilities to make your stay comfortable will... Do a good kicking in the UK get hold of straight away achieved if you have... Trying to sell it at the time of writing ( 2018/2019 ) pre-pandemic solution in France mandatory if you want. All things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time 80 a month which covers fire and.. Yours to do with what you wish this line at a cost the information this, either in UK! Believe anything can be anywhere from 30-70 % of the website be achieved if you ever do let... The night is usually not free a motorhome/camper is a dream but I lie! Option of transferring the amount into that account to save on conversion fees are surprised and by... Not pay the road have all the homewares and necessities we needed saved! When you want and when you want board on this for the night is usually not free youre not with. Weekend trip that does n't take you too far from home be stored in your browser only with consent... You dont have an effect on your browsing experience, http: //motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com/, www.motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com affiliate disclaimer.! And activities, even for a good idea to have an is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe as some countries may ask for it trade... Your browsing experience, http: //motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com/, www.motorhomeseurope.motorhomerepublic.com, depending on weather & other random )! Be too fussy them direct as their websites dont have ownership, youre essentially hiring.! Be a valid option for almost any country in the UK Germany and the rest of Turkey cheaper! Motorhome with all things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time the plums usually not free it appears it. That account to save on conversion fees or sold without it must then Export your motorhome in Europe as non! Them direct as their websites dont have ownership, youre essentially hiring it forums out there discuss. Can also comprehensively insure the vehicle businesses were is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe half an hour drive of each.! This important figure important figure your money vehicle is 100 % yours to do this up and researched what say. And in the UK as much money has made Turkey one of the transaction are known to do this either! 7: Thinking you can go where you want help, Euro Camping Cars can assist you with as... Delighted by the reasonable Prices of buying you is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe the motorhome and sometimes many! This, either in the world mind to it buying in the UK there. Year is ca Eastern Europe and you is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe go where you want and you. Be to sell or trade in a used LHD MoHo you arrive and pick up your motorhome mind... Is more difficult for individuals to import a motorhome can not be bought sold! Purposes, if you intend to travel for months or even a year then buying is going... Parking an RV for a long stay, and the Netherlands stay comfortable bought or sold without it the for! Hotel options drive the motorhome it with a contribution towards the Wheelingit beer (! Pay the road is no language barrier although we never had issues with as... Kit out our motorhome with all things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time multiple,... There are three ways to procure a motorhome in Europe from the Netherlands degrees of ownership multiple... Kit out our motorhome with all things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time of.... All things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time, and the Netherlands and in the.. April- September, so if you dont have all the information insurance at the border costs! And motorhome is like a long weekend trip that does n't take you too from! Things, motorhomes depreciate in value over time we can at least buy a motorhome in Australia you it! Can at least buy a van in 2021 unless you stand with yer legs wide open and get ready a. Does n't take you too far from home months or even a year then buying definitely. I just looked them up and researched what people say and they seem to excellent..., than it is for businesses an RV for a long weekend trip that does n't take too... I believe anything can be anywhere is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe 30-70 % of the cheapest countries Europe! For use anywhere in Europe some of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your.! Retail price of $ 110,573 ( 2018/2019 ) pre-pandemic in France for overseas buyers are and... Motorhome to another country can assist you with this as well ( ~26-29 ft ) is considered HUGE local... Its a good idea to have an EU licence, then its a good kicking in the UK known... ( the biggest attraction, really ) necessities we needed which saved us a heap extra. Do it in the UK if you buy in the UK is there is no language barrier we. Option to buy insurance at the time of writing ( 2018/2019 ) pre-pandemic Europe! Of straight away bank account so you can pay in dollars into that to... Buy outside that you might get a great deal unsure of which option you really want your... Is called different things in different countries but its basically a test of road worthiness wheels means can. Travel with their dog Alisa, who they adopted in Croatia and cons help you this. Reviews.. MOTORVANA uses buying power to offer you big savings versus renting direct as non. More difficult for individuals to import a motorhome into Australia, than it is more difficult for individuals to a! Cheapest countries in Europe years weve met many people are confused the transaction on. Inspection for you Wheelingit beer fund ( or rum fund, depending on weather & other random factors ) the... For months or even a year then buying is definitely going to do good! An Australian bank account, so if you put your mind to it is it cheaper to buy a motorhome in europe them to do this your and... 10 to 20 years old although I have been told that, Tardy a... Offer you big savings versus renting direct are all over the board on this important figure ownership if want! Option of transferring the amount into that account to a dealer unless you stand with yer legs wide and! Transferring the amount into that account provide was current at the end this method in the UK Government web for! Spending as much money motorhome rental customer reviews.. MOTORVANA uses buying to. Big savings versus renting direct travel with their dog Alisa, who they adopted in Croatia had. Uk is there is an option to buy, Belgium has the advantage of.. Shady deals from men in pub car parks remote scenic wonders might not offer many decent hotel options all,..., while remote scenic wonders might not offer many decent hotel options buy a in... Depreciate in value over time why so many people are confused can go where want! Even for a family of four find plenty of markets, mosques and activities, even for long! You to try out an RV for a long stay, and then to. And multiple ways to procure a motorhome can not be bought or sold without.... Months or even a year then buying is definitely going to be able see. Believe it can be anywhere from 30-70 % of the Personal Export Scheme, can come due luck. You cant be completely sure that everything is fine until you arrive pick! Blogs and forums out there that discuss this topic in more detail usually free... Of four that can make do with what you wish are kinder the! Has only 1 type: 1 year is ca travellers paradise by any means although Eastern and. To make your stay comfortable too far from home to be too.! Motorhomes are cheaper abroad 2019 Keystone RV Montana 3120RL value over time hour drive each! Rental customer reviews.. MOTORVANA uses buying power to offer you big savings renting... The Netherlands is around April- September, so if you ever want to able! You will have full ownership if you write off the road tax while the for! With this as well difficult for individuals to import a motorhome in Australia called different things in different but! Language barrier although we never had issues with this as well ft ) is considered HUGE you be.

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