Camping: Are you allowed to live in a caravan permanently?

Camping is a paradox: You're on the road and at home at the same time. As soon as the caravan arrives at the pitch, the trappings of settled life are unpacked: the grill, the fence, the garden gnome. It's only logical to make yourself at home. After all, you're using a caravan . Or a mobile home . But what are the legal implications? Is this mobile home perhaps even a real residence, with all the trimmings, from a registered address to the obligation to pay the broadcasting license fee?

In terms of size, many camping vehicles now easily rival a permanent residence: A bus-sized vehicle with 36 square meters of living space, four extendable bay windows, a mini spa, and a garage for a second car was recently unveiled at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf . However, the price, depending on the location, could easily buy a couple of apartments: just under three million euros.

Well, anyone who can afford such sums is unlikely to use the luxury mobile home as their primary residence, despite the generous living space, but will likely have one or two properties to fall back on. But even beyond luxury liners, the question remains: Is it even permissible to make a caravan your primary residence? "As a general rule," according to the German Camping Association (BVCD), this is not permitted in Germany.

Children love to romp around on them, and adults use them as fitness equipment: trampolines are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are a few legal considerations to keep in mind.

According to the Federal Registration Act, a "caravan" – just like a "houseboat" – can be considered a residence "if it is not moved or only occasionally." But there are a whole host of other factors to consider. For example, there are the building regulations, which vary from federal state to federal state. And the location of the campsite: In a residential or mixed-use area, living is – logically – permitted. But many campsites are located in recreational or special areas that are not even designated for permanent residence under zoning law. So anyone who wants to make their caravan their center of life must specifically inquire at the campsite of their choice whether this is even legally possible.

Conversely, anyone who regularly moves their mobile home cannot declare it their official residence. Therefore, even modern vanlife nomads need a registered address to be reachable by post for authorities – or they must deregister from Germany altogether.

However, such a caravan is sometimes declared a second home much more quickly than the owner would like. Some municipalities categorize permanent campers as holiday home owners and collect a second home tax. The Schleswig-Holstein Higher Administrative Court ruled that this is generally possible, but only if the relevant statutes regulate it in detail – right down to the furnishings of the mobile home. Mobile homes cannot be categorized as apartments because of their significantly more spartan furnishings ( case no. 2 LB 97/17 ).

Incidentally, if a caravan remains permanently parked on its pitch, the broadcasting fee may also be due, regardless of whether a television and radio are on board. The decisive factor is "whether the consumer is registered at the campsite," says Elisabeth Graml of the Bavarian Consumer Center. In that case, a caravan is considered a residence, which entails a fee obligation. While you can be exempted from this fee if you already pay for your primary residence, you must submit an application within three months of moving in.

You'll also be on the safe side if you regularly let your motorhome or caravan do what the mini-home has its wheels for - namely, driving around.