“I am a temporary worker and I come to work in the Tena Valley. The rents are 800 euros and I am not going to share a flat. I prefer to live in the van with my cat (…) I don’t understand why they focus on me when I don’t break the regulations.”
The words are those of an indignant woman. One to which the Civil Guard demands movement when it understands that she is camping illegally. One that, if what is said in the video is true, is completely right and the regulations are on her side.
What Happened?
The video is brought to X by a social network user. In it, a woman, caught between irony and indignation, explains her situation: as a seasonal worker in the Tena Valley (Huesca), she lives in her van. The Civil Guard insists she must leave, claiming she is camping. The woman argues that she does not set up any items outside and that she has been moving regularly, points acknowledged by the agent.
“Rents are 800 euros.” She highlights the high housing costs in the Tena Valley and her unwillingness to share a flat. “I prefer to live in the van with my cat,” she states firmly.
This region is notorious for its tension around housing. Recently, initiatives like Decent Housing Viello Aragón have emerged to advocate for housing access in this part of Aragon. The area, overrun by tourism, suffers from a shortage of affordable living options partly due to the rise in second homes and financial incentives promoting tourism.
Advocates argue for a halt on new licenses for tourist accommodations, the creation of public housing, and a designation of the region as a stressed area to regulate prices and hold property owners accountable for vacant homes.
Legal Standing
The law is somewhat on her side. According to reports from Motorpassion, there are no clear regulations dictating a maximum time for overnight stays in one’s vehicle. While camping in unauthorized areas is illegal, simply spending the night is permissible.
The PROT Instruction 2023/14 outlines distinctions: “parking is not camping” if certain conditions are met:
- The vehicle remains in contact with the ground solely through its wheels.
- The vehicle does not occupy more space than its closed dimensions.
- The vehicle neither emits fluids nor makes noise to the outside.
Municipal Regulations
However, municipalities have the power to regulate these matters. Local ordinances can impose limits on where and for how long a vehicle may park. The video does not clarify whether her parking spot is allowed, nor does it specify local regulations regarding maximum parking times.
Outside town limits, the conditions might be stricter. Since the Tena Valley is a protected area, overnight stays could be restricted to designated spaces.
Key Takeaways
In many municipalities, overnight parking is generally accepted as long as vehicles are parked legally and no external belongings are set up. If items like chairs or awnings are deployed, however, one transitions from parking to camping, and that requires being in authorized areas.
Thus, residing in a van is legal as long as noise or fluids are not emitted outside. Compliance with municipal regulations is crucial, and this involves staying aware of any restrictions that dictate how long a vehicle can remain stationary.
For example, in Madrid, parking in the same place on public roads is prohibited for more than five consecutive business days, with stricter regulations for public parks where the max is 48 hours.
In summary, living in a van can offer a practical solution, but adherence to legal standards is paramount.
Photo | Silvan Schuppisser and Alberto-g-rovi
In Xataka | Sleeping in your camper wherever you want sounds great, but not in Spain: these are the expected fines.