For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Its all part and parcel of the buy back plan. 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! Our proven scheme is a unique, carefully researched and legally verified route to ownership which has been ratified by both our chartered accountants and legal advisors. You can rent, you can lease, or you can buy one with a contract to sell it after you've used it. If you typically rent more than one hotel room for your family, your savings could be greater. You can find them here on this government website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This may be different with. 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. Moreover we facilitate the whole Europe motorhome rental and campervan hire booking process, providing ultra-responsive customer support and a true total rental cost you can literally count on.. Mark Kahler is a budget travel expert and writer with more than 30 years' experience. Throughout this article I will mention some businesses and companies that sell motorhomes, or participate in a certain type of transaction. 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. Personally, I would not trust any stranger with my personal belongings. Fortunately, Vaughan is very handy, so he could fix most of the problems and what he couldnt fix we had done at a garage. It isnt actually the buying part that is difficult, when it comes to buying a motorhome in Europe. That might happen occasionally (usually by prior arrangement) but most nights, there are camping fees to pay. You will find everything you need for . In late summer and fall, dealers sometimes offer time-limited deals. Why can you not get it on German plates and drive around Europe for six months to make the trip worth it and get the mileage over 6000 to get rid of the VAT. Hi there, I share some tips for New Zealand in case you want to include any. Connect with us by subscribing to one of our feeds! Studies are all over the board on this important figure. 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. 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. Although you own your motorhome and it is a registered vehicle, not all insurance companies in the UK cover non residents. Simply return the motorhome and collect the discussed buyback price! We have had Matilda for a few months now and you come to know what you like and what you dont like. 1 Motorhome RV in Grand Rapids, MI. does anyone have an idiots guide with who to contact and how to import a van from europe. Contact us now on +31 (0)6 10009969. I to am planning a trip to Europe and the UK next year. COVID has put a hold on this for the time being but we still hope we can at least buy a van in 2021. The buy back percentage can be anywhere from 30-70% of the total that you paid. The biggest issue is the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which have to do with emissions. Campers and motorhomes come in all shapes and sizes and you can pay anything from 4000 to 70,000 and you get what you pay for. You can also comprehensively insure the vehicle for use anywhere in Europe. If you want to travel to Europe then you will need to purchase extended cover for Europe travel and you will need to check what countries they do cover, this can be expensive. I will just clarify here, because the vehicle is not in our name, in reality what we have done is leased the vehicle for a fixed amount and will sell it back for an agreed amount. 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. It's like an ever-improving circle of happiness. I can see no why so many people are confused. Its not a budget travellers paradise by any means although Eastern Europe and Spain/Portugal are kinder to the pocket. Families have discovered the economies of scale that come into play when you don't have to take six people into a restaurant three times a day. We can tell you now that driving a right-hand drive vehicle in Europe is easier than driving a left-hand drive vehicle in the UK as the roads are smaller and with hedges and stone walls it can be challenging, where in Europe the roads tend to be wider. If you do choose to buy a vehicle in the UK then you need to be comfortable driving a right-hand drive vehicle on the right hand side of the road. Sounds like your trip was a bucket list adventure. There are also the costs of kitting it out, if you purchase your vehicle from a dealership then its very unlikely to come filled with all the necessities to make it a home like bedding, kitchen equipment etc. But buying a used RV has its own set of traps, and you can lose your shirt here too if you're not careful. Experience this fantastic lifestyle! To me, if Im buying something, that idea of ownership is important. Youll need to fill out the necessary paperwork. There are two companies offer buy back schemes in the Netherlands, but with both of them, the vehicle remains titled to the company itself. 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 a lot of regulations for importing a road vehicle into Australia. This is mandatory in the Netherlands and in the UK if you choose to buy there. 7. If however, you do trust the company, then you have eyes on the ground which is helpful. What are the benefits of buying a motorhome to travel Europe? 9am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm We'll help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs . Quality studies factor in a variety of other costs you might not think about right away, such as interest charges on the purchase of an RV or RV insurance. Whether purchasing or renting, whether caravan or mobile home, whether new or used, you will find your dream mobile home in the Free State! 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. I searched Germany as well but found nothing. Gas prices can be a burden or a bargain within the same calendar year. I'll start with the good news: for the price, you're getting a brand new, squeaky clean RV loaded with features. Youre required to transfer large sums of money, often to unknown people and places. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. As a non-European resident without an address you can not register your vehicle in your name. Feeling the love? Having a raised bed to make space for a large garage is a great design. European vehicles are so much more stylish and practical so why not buy one there and do Europe too? There may need to be some modifications made to meet compliance regulations and youll obviously have to pay for these. Of all the countries, exporting your motorhome from the UK to New Zealand actually seems to be the easiest. In short, if you're the type of traveler who likes all-inclusive resorts, and eating in restaurants and staying in interesting hotels are highlights of a road trip for you, think long and hard about this option before making a serious commitment. VW Kombi campers, although they are vintage and small, are quite expensive as they are iconic and that is what you are paying for. Compact camper vans and luxurious liners. Moving To Europe VII Shipping Your RV From USA to Europe, Polly 3 Weeks Post-TPLO (2nd Leg) in France . The obvious benefit is that you own it and everything is in your name. There are multiple options, multiple degrees of ownership and multiple ways to lose your money. We are interested in buying from Europe as we keep reading second hand motorhomes are cheaper abroad! How can you buy and register a vehicle when you dont have an address. Would I buy again through Camperfun or Europe-Roadtrip? You can find plenty of markets, mosques and activities, even for a long stay, and the rest of Turkey is cheaper. Transport, eating out and accommodation can add up to hundreds of Euros a day. AAA office with a filled-out application, US Citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days out of every 180, https://perrysineurope.wordpress.com/2018/03/29/day-11-florence/, https://vroomdroomadventures.blogspot.com/2020/10/bellingwolde-to-zeeland-netherlands.html, Moving To Europe VII Shipping Your RV From USA to Europe Wheeling It, RVing In Europe: Blogs, Links & Useful Resources Wheeling It, Moving To Europe V - Pet Transport Options (By Sea, By Air, Pet Carriers & More), SP Campground Review - Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, FL, RV Solar Part IV - Panel Tilting & Winter Solar Optimization, NP Campground Review - Gros Ventre Campground, Teton National Park, WY. As with other New Zealand and Australia, the motorhome will need to meet certain requirements. My Car Check is a service that will give you information on the vehicle such as number of previous owners, outstanding unpaid loans, written off or even stolen. May 11, 2015 #1 Hi All, We have decided to buy a motorhome again after not having one for 2 years. This is about 65 (US $74). The guaranteed buy back and buy back price are included in purchase contract. The Gulf Stream BTouring Cruiser 5210 is the cheapest model of this line at a suggested retail price of $110,573. If youre dealing with agents and middle men there is a certain amount of trust that you need to invest into these people. The excess though is quite high at 720 euro. Key Renting Tips: Prices for 1 week mid-November in Madrid, Spain. Savings also grow with the length of your trip. As part [] Read more, I bought a motorhome and I especially bought peace of mind by doing business with Phill and his team. If the company goes bankrupt, the motorhome could be considered an asset and could be seized. Unlike when you hire a motorhome or campervan. The contracts will include clauses for good condition and normal wear and tear anything above this and youll need to have it fixed or expect to get less when you return the motorhome. 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. The other thing Im looking into is rent out my house while Im gone to help fund this. With each, you are buying a list of advantages and disadvantages. Comes with basic 2-month warranty covering the engine. I also mention a few insurance companies. It's a no brainer. MSRP $110,573. 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. Then I thought hey why not do both? There is quite a lot to say about this topic, so I will write a separate post on this in due course with more detail. 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. The advantage of buying in the UK is there is no language barrier although we never had issues with this in the Netherlands! When we did our first world trip in 2013/2014 for 12 months we rented our house out and put all our stuff in storage. Unfortunately we were not told about it until after the event so transferred to Camperfuns Dutch account using HiFx. Low-profile motorhomes vary in length from around 5.5 metres to over 8m. Do read on. US Motorhomes seem to be massive with dated decor so the thinking is (and this changes every day) to buy in Europe, travel there, then ship it over to the US and carry on there! The disadvantage of this scheme is you may get much less for it as opposed to trying to sell it privately. I'd certainly look at buying overseas in the future, but what about selling it? At the time of writing, this blog a company called. As for language Google 'English-german' and use the translation service there. The Knaus BoxStar XL is built on a Fiat Ducato chassis's, a reliable vehicle which makes a great campervan base. In the same way that it is in a rental agreement when you a hire motorhome. You have a purchase contract which says that you have ownership for a short period of time. Unless of course you want to export, and well talk about that soon. Youll lose money in exchange rates and fees. We spent a week in the Netherlands looking at vehicles at both Bosma (based in Emmen) and Camperfun (based in Hoogeveen) before making our decision. It is built into a Ford E350 chassis and measures 22 feet 6 inches long. This is one of the biggest advantages of this method in the UK. Thank you for your very informative article. If you are buying online, from your own country, youre buying sight unseen. Also in the UK you can not purchase Insurance or Road Tax without a valid MOT certificate. No one questions whether it would be seized when they hire their vehicle. On average, a motorhome will depreciate around 4000 a year (up to a certain point) and around 1000 per 10,000km (6213 mi). Before choosing your insurance make a list of the countries you intend to visit and make sure your insurance covers those countries. 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. The sleek design of a low-profile makes it more aerodynamic and so offers better fuel economy. You can organize people to do the inspection for you, but you of course youre relying on them to do a good job. If that is their country of residence, then they can sort it out like they would their personal vehicle. But, be careful, the accommodation is more expensive than you think. If you dont have an EU licence, then its a good idea to have an IDP as some countries may ask for it. This method relies on a trusted friend or family member buying, registering and insuring the vehicle for you. When you have finished your holiday, youre able to sell the campervan or motorhome, as the titled owner, to anyone you wish. In the end, we bought our vehicle from Camperfun as they seem to have more experience with sell and buyback to foreigners. For me this was the Read more Im now part of the family, Just the other day, parked up in our camping car at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain, Read more Dreams Do Come True!. After you purchase a vehicle using the Personal Export Scheme, you own it. What I hope to do was give you a push in the right direction so you have a good starting point. 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. Lots are winterised for example so you can use all year round. Your email address will not be published. Fifth Wheel Camper - 2019 Keystone RV Montana 3120RL. 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. Youll also receive a registration certificate. These guys would be my choice if we were able to buy the vehicle and put it in a friends/family name as they had a large range of vehicles. Eurocampingcars was established to service the growing demand from overseas visitors who wish to own a motorhome or campervan to travel in Europe. 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. 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. Can be rude and unhelpful if you challenge them when things go wrong. 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. Keep in mind that a new RV can cost as much as a small house. This is because they have the title. Camperfun have a Australian bank account so you have the option of transferring the amount into that account to save on conversion fees. Are you aware of this and do you have any thoughts. There is no maid knocking on the door, intent on cleaning the room. Try using suchen.de to have a browse on the web (has an English version). You cant be completely sure that everything is fine until you arrive and pick up your motorhome. I can see that if you do some research and compare hire prices to buy back schemes, you may be able to get a nice motorhome for cheaper than you would if you were to try and hire one. One such company is Happy Camper/Europe Road Trips. It is also a great deal for people who want to strictly stick to their low budget since the majority of these cheap travel trailers cost you only $6,000. As you wont be able to see it in advance, they can go and inspect it and give you an experienced opinion on whether or not you should go ahead and purchase the motorhome. Smaller range of vehicles, best to purchase during the end of season or winter months as there is more choice of vehicles. The difficulty of purchasing a motorhome/camper is not in the actual purchase but the registration, you need to be a European resident with an address to be able to own a vehicle. 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. Ive written an article on the differences between campervans and motorhome is youre unsure of which option you really want. They had 3 young kids they were world schooling as they travelled through Europe. Why should you consider buying a campervan or motorhome in Europe? Ill outline the different ways and give you as much information as I can to point you in the right direction but in the end the decision is yours. I guess one of the biggest advantages is the ease of the transaction. I have zero affiliation with any of these companies. Not only is that a problem for you because you paid for the motorhome, its a problem for the person who registered and insured it, because theyre now legally liable. . Especially when theres stress involved. Once this is done youll receive a letter giving you the final date that you have to have the motorhome exported. We got caught out with this when the water pump packed in only 3 weeks after collecting the vehicle. Loads cheaper than here. Last but not least, on our list of the best motorhomes we have the Swift Kon-Tiki Sport. On the Green Card form will be country codes and check boxes, make sure that a country you plan to visit is not checked if it is it means it is not covered. 1 Motorhome RV in Mesquite, NV. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If your driving in the UK youll also need to pay road taxes. If it serves the purpose and is the right price and condition, then you dont need to be too fussy. 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. Very interesting reading. 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. Here's an example: Notice that the savings on meals that you'd prepare yourself if you take an RV trip more than offsets the higher cost of fuel. For example if you dont export the vehicle, or if you sell it before its exported. Head over here for more.. As you can see the European size range is TIGHT! If you are fortunate to have a relative or friend in the country of purchase who can register it in their name or yours using their address, then its all easy. A motorhome cannot be bought or sold without it. Im here to help you get started on the road to having your own little house on wheels to roam a continent packed with culture, language diversity, history, beautiful landscapes, incredible food and wine the list goes on From the romance of Italy to the Fjords of Norway, its a motorhome/campervan paradise and it is easier than you think! Although some customers complained about receiving vehicles in badly need of service and fixes so thoroughly check your vehicle before handing over any money. Newer models also need to meet the Australian Design Requirements (ADR). JavaScript is disabled. The rabbit hole of trying to find out how to buy your own motorhome in Europe. You have complete ownership so youre able to sell it however and whenever you want to whomever you want. 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. If you use a facilitator and it turns out the motorhome is not compliant, its still your responsibility. Buying a motorhome is more cost effective for long term travel. Subscribers do not see these advertisements, To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun. By having a Motorhome/Campervan you have your transport, bed and kitchen all in one thus saving money on public transport, accommodation and eating out. In some cases, you might work harder on the road than you do around the house. You really need to do your research, read reviews and find reputable businesses to handle your transaction. Contact them direct, compare them all, compare reviews and reputation and finally make your decision. IdeaMerge recommends starting your rental in Germany: "even if the bulk of your itinerary lies outside Germany." This can apparently be done through EuroCampingCars.com in France. It does mean that if we have an accident or breakdown then we must call Camperfun as the vehicle is in their name which could take more time for resolution and leave you stranded a little longer. When I contacted Dutch Campervans they didnt respond at all, so I gave them a miss. I hope Ive given you enough information to steer you in the right direction. Your itinerary makes a difference, too. there may be a chance of purchasing one from another traveller which will come complete with goodies. Not only do you get far more choice on the continent they are by and large better built vehicles and better spec'd. Sourcing, inspection and purchase on your behalf, You choose the motorhome, we inspect it for you, Chauffeured transfers from Paris to our depot, I bought a motorhome and peace of mind, our solution in France for overseas buyers, Take in the Vende Globe yacht race on your French motorhome trip, Podcast Episode #004 with Sebastien from Movera, Motorhomes, Campervans and RVs for sale in France & Europe, Popular examples from the 2020 Knaus Range, Popular examples from the 2020 Weinsberg Range, Second-hand campervans for sale in Europe, Second-hand campervans for sale in France, Sourcing, inspection and purchase of a second-hand motorhome on your behalf, Tarif for the services we offer in addition to vehicle sales. As you compare costs between RV travel and hotel arrangements, keep in mind that costs vary widely, and circumstances can dictate with choice is the most . COPYRIGHT INFO 2021 Wheeling It. Since the Pandemic things would have changed and some operators I have mentioned may no longer be operating or have changed hands so you will need to do your own research and follow ups. Thanks Gary. Meals must be cooked. When we started doing our research, we found the amount of information on how to buy a motorhome in Europe as a non-resident somewhat lacking. We had access to tools and equipment to do improvements and help with repairs. For us we could go a much shorter vehicle, we only ever use the second bench seat at the dining table for meals, but this could be easily omitted and substituted for the driver or passenger seat swivelling around to face the table (many motorhomes/campers have this design). 12. In order to register a motor vehicle you need a local residential address. And that, my friend, is the catch. You are legitimately and legally the motorhome owner. Delivery comes as is, warranty and checks at extra cost (package) This is not necessarily a bad thing as you know for sure the vehicle has been thoroughly checked. You can get 3rd party insurance via the German registration system and plenty of companies will insure on the chassis number for 28 days. Larger families that need two hotel rooms each night have discovered RV travel and the beauty of visiting national parks. Where to Get a Motorhome in Europe. Eurocampingcars was established to service the growing demand from overseas visitors who wish to own a motorhome or campervan to travel in Europe. Youre an Aussie or a Kiwi or from another non European country and dont reside in Europe and you dont know where to start? Anything less than 6 months and I just dont think its worth it (unless youre exporting, but well cover that in a bit). This is called different things in different countries but its basically a test of road worthiness. I have found a site where you are able to have ownership of the MH by setting up a company. Delivered to you having been fully serviced and MOT but at an extra cost Once again not necessarily a bad thing. Using this method you set up a 100% legal company structure called a Sociele Civile. Looks like this French outfit run by a British couple are worth contacting. Details: The Fiat Ducato rules the roadways in Europe, as a huge number of camper vans use it as their base.A front-wheel drive Ducato van first debuted in 1981, but now Fiat has made the vans tougher with a 4x4 version that . When Read more I bought a motorhome and peace of mind, Do you want to own and store an RV near Paris? Share it with a contribution towards the Wheelingit beer fund (or rum fund, depending on weather & other random factors). New motorhomes available to order. Oregon Trailer Do Drop. There are certain circumstances where the VAT that you didnt pay, under the scheme, can come due. But if you're not interested in such work during your limited vacation days, you should take careful note of this aspect of RV travel. That's pretty awesome. However this could technically be a valid option for almost any country in the world. If you want help, Euro Camping Cars can assist you with this as well. Buying and registering a campervan in Europe. The motorhomes are often stolen. We use Google Analytics The short answer is yes, absolutely. Fuel prices, for example, are never constant. You dont have to worry about getting it registered, or insured because the company will help you. The funny thing was it started as a plan to drive through the US, but after looking at US motorhomes, they are all big behemoth vehicles with terrible interiors, all timber and marble, brown and beige etc like straight out of the 80s. Key question: Will the benefits of renting or buying an RVbe outweighed by the drawbacks that cut into your precious vacation time?