Germany remains a nation of campers. Over 1.8 million caravans and motorhomes are now registered. In 2025, campsites recorded a new record with 44.7 million guest overnight stays. Meanwhile, the number of tourist parking spots is also growing.
Despite declining new registrations in some vehicle segments, demand for camping vacations remains high. However, the market is changing: alongside classic caravans and motorhomes, compact campervans, private parking offers, and comfortable rental accommodations are gaining importance.
But how many campsites are there now? Does the supply meet the growing number of recreational vehicles? And are mobile homes and tiny houses really replacing traditional parking spaces? We’ve reviewed the latest figures.
Over 1.8 million caravans and motorhomes in Germany
The stock of recreational vehicles has grown significantly in recent years.
According to the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), there were over 1.8 million caravans and campervans registered in Germany in 2025.
This is a remarkable development, as the number of vehicles was considerably lower just a few years ago.
Motorhomes have seen particularly strong growth. Many people discovered individual travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Classic caravans, however, remain popular. They allow travelers to park the caravan at the holiday destination while keeping the towing vehicle available for excursions and shopping.
Campervans like the VW California, Mercedes Marco Polo, or converted vans complement the offerings.
As a result, the number of people traveling with their own recreational vehicle has increased significantly in the long term.
94,134 new recreational vehicles registered in 2025
In 2025, Germany registered a total of 94,134 new caravans and motorhomes.
The two vehicle categories developed differently.
Motorhomes saw 75,368 new registrations, a slight increase of nearly one percent compared to the previous year.
For caravans, however, there were 18,766 new registrations, marking a decline of 13.4 percent.
Overall, the market thus fell 2.3 percent below the previous year’s results.
This does not mean there are fewer recreational vehicles on the road, however.
New registrations only reflect the sale or first registration of new vehicles. The total number of existing caravans and motorhomes is what matters for the actual count.
And this total has grown significantly over the long term.
Used caravans and motorhomes are also in demand
Another interesting indicator is the used vehicle market.
In 2025, a total of 192,239 used recreational vehicles changed hands.
Of these, 111,034 were motorhomes and 81,205 were caravans.
This marked a new high for the used vehicle market.
Used vehicles enable many people to start camping vacations without immediately purchasing a new motorhome or caravan.
While vehicle transfers do not increase the total number of vehicles, they do show how active the market remains.
Campsites hit new overnight record in 2025
The high demand is also evident on German campsites.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were 44.7 million camping overnight stays in 2025.
This represents a 4.2 percent increase compared to 2024.
Compared to 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number rose by 24.9 percent.
The long-term trend is even more striking.
In 2005, there were 21.7 million overnight stays on German campsites.
Twenty years later, that number had more than doubled.
Thus, camping is one of the most rapidly growing segments of German tourism.
In 2025, around nine percent of all tourist overnight stays in Germany were on campsites.
North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Southern Germany remain top destinations
The most popular camping regions in 2025 were again the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein, the Black Forest, and the North Sea coast in Lower Saxony.
The Allgäu region and the Bodensee area were also highly popular.
Foreign camping guests particularly favored the Black Forest, the Moselle region, and the Eifel.
As a result, it can be difficult to find a free spot during peak season in these popular holiday regions.
A nationwide camping boom does not mean that free spots are always available everywhere.
Are there really more campsites?
Yes. The official numbers confirm a long-term increase.
For the years 2023 to 2025, the development can be tracked using data from the Federal Statistical Office.
| Year | Opened Campsites | Tourist Parking Spots Offered |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,124 | 231,520 |
| 2024 | 3,143 | 233,570 |
| 2025 | 3,157 | 235,661 |
The values are derived from the published state data of the official tourism statistics.
Between 2023 and 2025, there were 33 additional campsites and 4,141 more tourist parking spots.
This is not explosive growth, but a steady increase.
It is important to note the statistical distinction: The data capture the corresponding tourist camping offerings from the official survey. Smaller operations and standalone motorhome parking lots outside this survey are not fully included.
Long-term parking spots are also not represented in the same way.
Nevertheless, the numbers refute the blanket claim that camping spots in Germany are becoming fewer.
Mobile homes and tiny houses complement the offerings
Over the past few years, the appearance of many campsites has changed.
In addition to classic parking spots, modern mobile homes, tiny houses, chalets, or glamping accommodations are now frequently available.
These options are aimed primarily at travelers who enjoy the camping atmosphere but do not own their own caravan or motorhome.
An ADAC study from 2026 shows that interest in such rental accommodations is growing.
While 28 percent of surveyed campers had used such accommodations on previous trips, 38 percent planned to do so on future trips.
This indicates a changing demand, but it does not yet prove a corresponding increase in actual bookings.
Are traditional caravan spots being eliminated?
This question cannot be answered definitively.
Some campsites may convert existing parking areas into rental accommodations, while others expand their grounds or add new offerings.
The key factor is the development of each individual operation.
Nationwide, there is currently no reliable evidence that mobile homes and tiny houses are displacing traditional tourist parking spots on a large scale.
On the contrary, the official numbers show that the total number of recorded tourist parking spots has increased recently.
However, this does not mean that every single campsite has more parking spaces.
Are mobile homes really more profitable for campsite operators?
At first glance, mobile homes may appear economically attractive.
The overnight rates are often significantly higher than those for a basic caravan parking spot.
However, operators must invest considerably more.
A mobile home requires not only a suitable location but also full furnishings, technical connections, and regular maintenance.
Additional costs include cleaning, repairs, and possibly higher financing expenses.
A classic parking spot, on the other hand, usually involves lower investment and operating costs.
Whether mobile homes are actually more profitable depends on several factors:
- Purchase costs and financing
- Utilization during the season
- Overnight rates
- Cleaning and maintenance costs
- Duration of use of the accommodation
- Available space and permitting situation
A mobile home can generate higher revenue, but it does not automatically mean higher profits.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to assume that campsite operators should replace traditional parking spots with mobile homes simply because of the higher rental prices.
Classic caravans remain an important part of the camping market
Especially with caravans, it becomes clear that classic camping forms still have their place.
A caravan can be parked for longer stays at a campsite, while the towing vehicle remains available for excursions, shopping, and sightseeing.
For families or campers who want to spend several weeks at a holiday destination, this is a practical advantage.
Additionally, many caravans are used for decades.
This distinguishes the vehicle stock significantly from the annual new car market.
Even with declining new registrations, the existing caravans continue to be part of the camping demand.
Therefore, parking spaces for towing vehicles remain relevant for campsite operators.
Especially important are sufficiently large plots, good maneuvering space, and appropriate infrastructure.
Motorhome parking lots develop into their own market
The situation is somewhat different with motorhomes.
Many motorhome travelers do not necessarily need a fully equipped campsite.
For one or two nights, a simple parking spot with utilities is often sufficient.
As a result, municipal and private motorhome parking lots have established themselves as a separate offering.
Even smaller parking lots on farms, vineyards, or other private properties are increasingly being used.
According to the ADAC Camper Study 2026, 29 percent of respondents had already used what is known as microcamping.
Such offerings can complement traditional campsites.
However, they are not always suitable for caravans. Some parking lots allow only motorhomes or do not have enough space for towing vehicles.
Those traveling with a caravan should therefore pay particular attention to the specific parking conditions.
Camping is also becoming more expensive
While demand is rising, overnight rates have also changed.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, campsite fees in 2025 were on average 28.7 percent higher than in 2020.
Overnight stays on motorhome parking lots even increased by 32.2 percent in the same period.
For comparison, general consumer prices rose by 21.9 percent over these five years.
Camping remains a flexible vacation option, but it is not automatically affordable.
Especially for families with caravans, in addition to campsite fees, there are costs for the towing vehicle, fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
For motorhomes, there are also purchase, maintenance, and possibly additional costs for a daily-use vehicle.
The actual vacation costs therefore depend heavily on how frequently and for how long the camping vehicle is used.
First signs of slowing growth in 2026
Despite the positive long-term trend, there are also signs of normalization.
The German Camping Association reported for the first half of 2026 that guest and overnight numbers were slightly declining compared to the same period the previous year.
Individual months showed very different developments.
This indicates that the camping market does not automatically achieve new records every year.
Weather conditions, school holidays, economic frameworks, and travel behavior influence the results.
A weaker first half of the year does not yet indicate a lasting decline in camping demand.
The final annual balance for 2026 remains to be seen.
Conclusion: Camping is growing, but the market is changing
The current figures speak clearly.
Germany has a historically high number of caravans and motorhomes. Camping overnight stays reached a new record in 2025, and the number of tourist parking spots has also increased.
A nationwide disappearance of classic parking spaces cannot be inferred from this.
Mobile homes, tiny houses, and glamping accommodations are expanding the camping industry’s offerings.
Whether this development comes at the expense of existing caravan parking spaces must be examined individually for each campsite.
For the future, it will be crucial for campsites to consider the diverse needs of their guests.
Caravan travelers need suitable plots for longer stays, while motorhome travelers prefer flexible overnight options. Others prefer comfortable rental accommodations.
The camping market is becoming more diverse.
And one thing the numbers make especially clear: The classic camping vacation with your own caravan or motorhome is far from obsolete.
Sources: Federal Statistical Office, Camping Record 2025, March 30, 2026; Destatis GENESIS, Campsites and Parking Spots up to 2025; CIVD, Annual Review 2025, January 19, 2026; CIVD, New Registrations and Vehicle Stock, as of 2025; BVCD, Facts and Figures on the Camping Industry, 2026; ADAC, Camping Preferences Study 2026, August 2026.