CANARY ISLANDS APPROVES NEW CAMPERVAN AND MOTORHOME OVERNIGHT RULES
The Canary Islands is introducing its first specific regional framework for outdoor tourist accommodation, bringing new clarity for campsites, campervan areas and motorhome overnight facilities. The decree was approved by the Canary Islands Government on 30 October 2026 and is intended to organise a growing sector while setting standards for safety, services and environmental care.
For visitors planning a campervan holiday in Lanzarote or elsewhere in the archipelago, the headline is a maximum stay of 72 hours in designated overnight areas. But this is not a blanket 72-hour limit on every place a motorhome can park.
A 72-hour limit in designated overnight areas
Under the new framework, areas specifically designated for overnight stays by motorhomes, caravans and similar vehicles will be intended for occupants to rest, with stays limited to 72 hours. The distinction matters: ordinary parking remains governed by traffic rules and any local restrictions that apply at the particular location.
That means travellers should not assume the new rule automatically allows—or prohibits—overnight parking everywhere. Always check road signs, local council rules and the conditions of the area where you intend to stop.
Five types of outdoor tourist accommodation
The decree covers five categories:
• Campsites
• Camping areas for motorhomes, caravans and similar vehicles
• Overnight areas for these vehicles
• Camping areas associated with isolated rural buildings
• Special outdoor tourist accommodation, including options such as yurts and treehouses
Each category will have requirements suited to its use. The rules address matters such as hygiene, water supply, waste management, safety and accessibility. Classification systems will also apply to campsites and motorhome camping areas.
Will new campervan sites open in Lanzarote?
The new regulation creates a framework for developing outdoor accommodation, but it does not automatically turn any plot of land into a legal campsite or motorhome stop. Operators will need to submit the required responsible declaration to the relevant island council and obtain the planning, environmental and safety permissions that apply.
This is particularly relevant for Lanzarote, where protected landscapes and local planning rules are important considerations. Any new facility must comply with the rules for its location; the decree is not permission to camp freely in rural or protected areas.
What about existing campsites?
Businesses already operating will have five years to adapt their facilities and services to the new requirements. Municipalities that do not yet have this type of accommodation may also be able to establish temporary areas, provided they meet the conditions set out in the regulation.
When do the new rules come into force?
The decree is due to take effect three months after its publication in the Boletín Oficial de Canarias (BOC). Approval by the regional government does not, by itself, mean the rules are already in force. The publication date will determine the start of the implementation period.
The Tourism and Employment department has said it plans to explain the regulation to local authorities and businesses during the period before it takes effect.
What campervan travellers should do now
If you are planning a motorhome or campervan trip to Lanzarote, check the latest official guidance before travelling, use authorised facilities for overnight stays and waste disposal, and follow local parking signs. Rules can vary by municipality and location, so confirm the position for the exact place you plan to visit.
The new framework is intended to make outdoor tourism more organised and predictable. For visitors, the practical takeaway is simple: designated overnight areas will have a 72-hour maximum stay, while ordinary parking remains a separate matter governed by traffic rules and local restrictions.
