RoamLife
How Much Does Van Life Cost? Complete Budget Breakdown 2026
TL;DR:
- Solo travelers can live comfortably in Europe for €800-1,500/month; couples typically spend €1,500-2,500/month
- Your biggest variables are accommodation (€0-500/month) and fuel (€150-600/month depending on how much you drive)
- Portugal and Spain are the most affordable; Scandinavia and Switzerland cost roughly double
- Using free overnight spots and cooking in your van saves €500-800/month compared to campsites and restaurants
- The initial van purchase (€15,000-80,000) is the largest upfront cost—budget €100-200/month for maintenance
Van life costs between €800 and €2,500 per month in Europe, depending on your travel style, vehicle, and which countries you visit. That's the short answer. The longer answer involves spreadsheets, fuel receipts, and the uncomfortable realization that your "cheap" lifestyle somehow costs more than you expected.
I've tracked every euro we've spent over the past 18 months on the road. Some months we lived on €900. Others hit €2,200 when the van needed new tyres in Norway and we decided Swiss cheese was worth the markup. Here's what van life actually costs—and how to make it work for your budget.
Monthly Cost Breakdown by Travel Style
These figures are based on real spending data from travelers across Europe, including our own expenses.
| Expense | Budget (€/month) | Moderate (€/month) | Comfortable (€/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | 100-200 | 200-350 | 350-600 |
| Food & Groceries | 200-350 | 350-500 | 500-800 |
| Accommodation | 0-100 | 100-250 | 250-500 |
| Insurance | 50-80 | 80-120 | 120-180 |
| Mobile/Internet | 20-40 | 40-80 | 80-150 |
| Maintenance | 50-100 | 100-150 | 150-250 |
| Entertainment | 50-100 | 100-200 | 200-400 |
| Total | €470-970 | €970-1,650 | €1,650-2,880 |
Budget style: Mostly free camping, cooking every meal, slow travel (moving every 3-5 days), shopping at Lidl/Aldi.
Moderate style: Mix of free spots and paid aires/stellplätze, eating out once or twice a week, regular travel.
Comfortable style: Campsites with facilities, restaurants, faster-paced travel, premium groceries.
The Big Variables: What Actually Moves Your Budget
Accommodation: €0 to €500/month
This is where budgets diverge most dramatically.
Free overnight parking—legal in many European countries—costs nothing. Wild camping laws vary by country, but Sweden, Norway, and Scotland allow it almost anywhere. Germany's 4,300+ stellplätze typically charge €5-15/night. France's aires are similar.
We spent exactly €127 on accommodation last October, mostly on aires with electrical hookups when we needed to work. Compare that to a couple we met in the Algarve who averaged €45/night at campsites with pools—€1,350/month on accommodation alone.
| Option | Typical Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Wild camping | €0 | Solitude, nature, no facilities |
| Aires/Stellplätze | €5-20/night | Water, waste disposal, sometimes electric |
| Basic campsites | €20-35/night | Showers, toilets, laundry |
| Premium campsites | €40-70/night | Pool, wifi, entertainment, restaurant |
Pro Tip: Mix free camping with paid sites every 3-4 days. You get the savings of wild camping while still having regular access to showers and laundry.
Fuel: €150 to €600/month
Fuel is your second-largest variable, and it's entirely within your control—drive less, spend less.
The 3-3-3 rule changed our budget: arrive by 3pm, stay at least 3 nights, drive maximum 3 hours. Before adopting this, we burned through €400/month in diesel. After? Closer to €200.
| Country | Diesel (€/litre) | Full Tank (80L) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1.38-1.50 | €110-120 |
| Portugal | 1.45-1.55 | €116-124 |
| France | 1.55-1.70 | €124-136 |
| Germany | 1.50-1.65 | €120-132 |
| Italy | 1.65-1.80 | €132-144 |
| Norway | 1.90-2.10 | €152-168 |
Our Sprinter gets 9-10 km/L. A 300km drive day costs roughly €45-50 in diesel. Do that twice a week, and you're at €400/month. Once a week? €200.
Food: €250 to €800/month
Cooking in your van is where the savings stack up. We spend about €60/week on groceries for two people—mostly from Lidl, Aldi, or local markets.
Eating out changes everything. A simple lunch in France runs €12-18 per person. Dinner with wine? €30-50. Do that daily and you're looking at €1,500/month on food alone.
Our actual food breakdown (couple, October 2025):
- Groceries: €247
- Eating out: €86 (4 meals)
- Coffee shops: €34
- Total: €367
That's with one nice meal out per week and occasional cafe stops for wifi. Entirely doable without feeling deprived.
Country-by-Country: Where Your Money Goes Further
The same lifestyle costs dramatically different amounts depending on where you are.
| Country | Monthly Cost (Couple) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €1,200-1,800 | Cheapest in Western Europe, new rules apply |
| Spain | €1,300-1,900 | Great value, excellent infrastructure |
| France | €1,500-2,200 | Best aire network, moderate costs |
| Germany | €1,400-2,000 | Efficient stellplatz system, reasonable fuel |
| Italy | €1,600-2,400 | Higher campsite costs, worth every euro |
| UK | €1,800-2,600 | More expensive, Britstops help |
| Scandinavia | €2,200-3,500 | Beautiful but budget-breaking |
| Switzerland | €2,500-4,000 | Eye-watering prices, stunning scenery |
We spent €1,580 total in Portugal last March. The following month in Norway? €3,240. Same lifestyle, same van, same two people—Norway simply costs twice as much.
One-Time and Annual Costs
Monthly expenses are only part of the picture. Here's what hits your budget less frequently.
The Van Itself
| Type | Price Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used campervan | €15,000-35,000 | Affordable, proven | Unknown history, older tech |
| New panel van + DIY build | €30,000-50,000 | Customised, warranty on base | Time investment, skill needed |
| Professional conversion | €50,000-80,000 | Turnkey, quality finish | Expensive, long wait times |
| New motorhome | €60,000-120,000+ | Full facilities, warranty | Depreciation, size limits |
If you're considering a professional build, read our guide on mistakes to avoid when choosing a van builder first.
Annual Costs
| Expense | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | €600-2,000 | Depends on age, country, no-claims |
| Road tax | €200-800 | Varies wildly by country |
| MOT/TÜV | €50-150 | Annual inspection |
| Vignettes | €100-300 | If traveling through Austria, Switzerland—see our tolls guide |
| Major maintenance | €500-1,500 | Tyres, brakes, services |
10 Ways to Cut Your Van Life Costs
1. Master Free Overnight Spots
This single skill saves more money than anything else. Apps like RoamLife surface verified free spots based on recent reviews. We aim for 60-70% free nights.
2. Embrace Slow Travel
Every kilometre costs money. Staying put for a week instead of moving daily cuts fuel by 75% and lets you actually experience a place.
3. Cook Everything
A camp stove and basic supplies transform your food budget. We make pasta, stir-fries, and even fresh bread. Restaurant meals become treats, not necessities.
4. Shop at Discount Supermarkets
Lidl and Aldi are 30-40% cheaper than regular supermarkets across Europe. Their quality is excellent.
5. Use Gym Memberships
Basic Fit (€20/month) operates across Europe with hot showers, toilets, and actual gym equipment. Pays for itself versus campsite fees.
6. Travel in Shoulder Seasons
May-June and September-October offer better weather than you'd expect, fewer crowds, and lower campsite prices. High season premium is real—expect 30-50% higher costs July-August.
7. Fill Up in Cheaper Countries
Crossing from France to Spain? Fill your tank in Spain. From Germany to Switzerland? Fill in Germany. These small decisions add up.
8. Get the Right LPG Setup
Refillable LPG is 60-70% cheaper than exchange bottles in the long run. Worth the initial investment.
9. Avoid Toll Roads When Practical
French autoroutes can cost €50+ for a single journey. The national roads take longer but cost nothing. Check our tolls and vignettes guide for country-specific advice.
10. Track Every Euro
You can't optimise what you don't measure. We use a simple spreadsheet—date, category, amount. Patterns emerge fast.
Is Van Life Actually Cheaper Than Renting?
Depends where you'd be renting.
A modest apartment in Amsterdam runs €1,800-2,200/month. In Lisbon, €1,200-1,500. Rural Spain? €600-800.
Van life at €1,500/month is cheaper than Amsterdam, comparable to Lisbon, and more expensive than rural Spain. The difference is what you get: wake up to a different view whenever you want, access to multiple countries, no utility bills, no commute.
The honest answer: van life isn't a money-saving hack. It's a lifestyle trade-off. Some months it's cheaper than renting. Some months—especially when repairs hit—it's not.
Sample Monthly Budgets
Budget Solo Traveler: €850/month
- Fuel: €120 (slow travel, 800km/month)
- Food: €220 (all home-cooked)
- Accommodation: €45 (90% free camping)
- Insurance: €65
- Phone: €25
- Maintenance: €75
- Other: €50
Moderate Couple: €1,650/month
- Fuel: €250 (1,500km/month)
- Food: €420 (mostly cooking, occasional meals out)
- Accommodation: €180 (mix of free and paid)
- Insurance: €110
- Phone/Internet: €60
- Maintenance: €130
- Entertainment: €150
- Other: €100
Comfortable Retirees: €2,400/month
- Fuel: €350 (2,000km/month)
- Food: €600 (quality ingredients, regular restaurants)
- Accommodation: €400 (mostly campsites with facilities)
- Insurance: €150
- Phone/Internet: €100
- Maintenance: €180
- Entertainment: €300
- Health/Medical: €120
For retirees considering this lifestyle, our motorhome retirement guide covers the practical details beyond just costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does van life cost per month in Europe? Expect €800-1,500/month for solo budget travelers, €1,500-2,500/month for couples living moderately. These figures assume cooking most meals and mixing free camping with paid sites.
Is van life cheaper than renting an apartment? It can be, depending on location. Van life at €1,500/month is cheaper than renting in Amsterdam (€2,000+) but comparable to Lisbon and more expensive than rural areas. The value is flexibility and lifestyle, not necessarily savings.
What's the biggest expense in van life? Accommodation and fuel are the biggest variables. Choosing free camping over campsites saves €300-500/month. Driving less by staying longer in each location cuts fuel costs significantly.
How much should I budget for van maintenance? Budget €100-200/month for ongoing maintenance, plus €500-1,500/year for major items like tyres, brakes, and services. Older vans and higher mileage mean higher costs.
Can I do van life on €1,000 per month? Yes, but it requires discipline. Stick to budget-friendly countries (Portugal, Spain), use free camping almost exclusively, cook every meal, and travel slowly. It's doable but leaves little room for unexpected costs.
Last verified: January 2026
