What is Campervan Relocation? The Secret to €1/Day Road Trips Across Europe
Campervan relocation in Europe is one of the best-kept secrets in budget travel. Every year, thousands of campervans and motorhomes need to be moved between cities. Rental companies can't afford to hire drivers or use transport trucks for all of them — so they let travellers do it for almost nothing. If you've got a valid driving license and a few days to spare, you could be driving a fully equipped campervan across Europe for as little as €1 per day.
How campervan relocation works in Europe
The concept is straightforward. Rental companies like Roadsurfer, Indie Campers, and Imoova have fleets spread across dozens of locations. After peak season, vehicles tend to pile up in popular destinations — southern Spain, Portugal, the south of France — while the depots up north run empty.
Hiring professional drivers to move them would cost hundreds of euros per vehicle. Shipping them on flatbed trucks costs even more. So instead, companies offer their vehicles to travellers at massively reduced rates. You pick up the campervan at point A, drive it to point B within a set timeframe, and drop it off. That's it.
The deal usually includes basic insurance and a set number of free kilometres. Some deals even include a fuel allowance to sweeten the pot. In return, the company gets their vehicle where it needs to be.
What you actually pay
Most relocation deals cost between €1 and €5 per day. Some are completely free. Here's what's typically included and what's not:
Usually included: the vehicle, basic insurance, a set number of kilometres (often 200–400km per day), and sometimes a fuel credit of €50–150.
Usually not included: toll roads, food, extra fuel beyond the allowance, premium insurance upgrades, and any detours beyond the agreed route.
On a typical 3-day relocation from Munich to Lisbon, you might pay €3 for the rental, €80–120 in fuel (depending on the vehicle and route), and €30–50 in tolls through France and Spain.
That's a multi-country road trip for under €200 total — in a vehicle that would normally rent for €100–150 per day. Want to cut costs even further? Read our 10 tips to save money on campervan relocation.
Where to find relocation deals in Europe
Here's the catch: there's no single marketplace for campervan relocations. Deals are scattered across five different provider websites, each with their own search interface, different route listings, and varying availability. A deal from Munich to Lisbon might appear on Imoova but not on Roadsurfer, or vice versa. Checking them all manually every day is tedious — and the best deals disappear within hours.
That's exactly why we built Movacamper. It searches all five providers in real time and shows every available deal on one page. No signups, no fees — just search a city and see what's available right now.
Search all 5 providers at once — free, no signup required.
Browse live relocation deals →Chain multiple trips together
Here's where it gets interesting. A single relocation is a cheap road trip. But string several together and you've got a multi-week European tour for almost nothing.
Say there's a Munich → Lisbon deal available next week, and a Lisbon → Barcelona deal starting two days after you'd arrive. Book both, spend a day exploring Lisbon in between, and you've just driven across three countries for under €10 in vehicle costs. Some travellers chain four or five relocations in a row, zigzagging across Europe for weeks.
Try Relocamp — our interactive trip planner that lets you chain legs together visually on a map. Search a city, add a deal to your trip, then search from your new destination to find connecting deals. It shows you the full route, dates, and total cost across all legs.
Getting to the pickup point
The one question everyone asks: "The deal starts in Munich, but I'm in Amsterdam — how do I get there?" This is the hidden cost that can make or break a relocation deal. A €1/day campervan isn't much of a bargain if you're spending €150 on a flight to pick it up.
The smart approach is to search for deals that start near you, or to use budget transport to reach the pickup city. A €19 FlixBus or a €29 Ryanair flight can get you across Europe cheaply. Some travellers time it so their previous relocation drop-off is close to their next pickup — that's the beauty of chaining.
Movacamper shows deals starting from any city you search, sorted by distance. So if you're in Amsterdam, you'll see deals from nearby hubs first — no need to manually check if there's something starting within driving distance.
The providers Movacamper searches
For transparency, here are the five providers we aggregate. You can visit them individually if you prefer, but Movacamper checks them all in one go:
| Provider | Coverage | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imoova | Europe-wide + Australia, NZ, USA | €1/day | Largest selection, most routes |
| Roadsurfer | Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy | €1–5/day | Premium fleet, newer vehicles |
| Indie Campers | Southern & Western Europe | €1–5/day | Good fleet variety |
| Bunk Campers | UK & Ireland | Free–€5/day | UK specialists |
| Movacar | Europe-wide | €1/day | Aggregator, multiple fleets |
Popular campervan relocation routes in Europe
The most common camper relocation routes in Europe reflect seasonal demand patterns. In autumn, vehicles flow south to north as the summer season winds down in the Mediterranean. In spring, it's the reverse. For a detailed breakdown of the best routes with distances, drive times, and highlight stops, see our guide to the top 5 campervan relocation routes in Europe.
Autumn favourites (Sep–Nov): Lisbon → Munich, Barcelona → Hamburg, Rome → Amsterdam, Faro → Paris. These are the busiest months for relocation deals — companies need vehicles back at their northern hubs before winter.
Spring routes (Mar–May): Munich → Barcelona, Amsterdam → Lisbon, Hamburg → Rome. Fewer deals than autumn, but still available as companies position vehicles south for summer.
Year-round: Routes within Germany (Munich → Berlin, Hamburg → Munich) and UK routes tend to be available most of the year, though availability fluctuates weekly.
What to expect on a camper relocation trip
A relocation trip isn't quite the same as a regular campervan holiday. There are some trade-offs to be aware of:
Fixed timeframe. You'll typically have 2–5 days to complete the drive. This is enough for the journey plus a day or two of sightseeing, but you won't have weeks to meander. Plan your route before you go.
One-way only. You're driving from A to B. There's no return trip included — you'll need to arrange your own travel back, or chain together multiple relocations (which some travellers do to create extended trips).
Vehicle condition varies. Some vehicles are brand new; others have been on the road for a season. You'll get a walkthrough at pickup. Document any existing damage before you leave.
Kilometre limits. Most deals include enough kilometres for the direct route plus a small buffer. Going significantly off-route can incur extra charges, so check the terms.
Who is campervan relocation for?
Anyone with a driving license and a few days of flexibility. You don't need to be a backpacker or on a tight budget — relocation appeals to anyone who enjoys a road trip and doesn't mind driving a set route within a timeframe. Whether you're a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group of friends, if you can be flexible on dates and destinations, relocation deals open up a completely different way to travel Europe.
The only real requirement is flexibility. You're not choosing where to go — you're seeing what's available and saying "that looks good, let's do it." For a lot of people, that spontaneity is part of the appeal.
Requirements
Each provider has slightly different requirements, but generally you'll need:
A valid driving license — a standard B license works for campervans under 3,500 kg, which covers most of the fleet. Larger motorhomes may require a C1 license. You typically need to have held your license for at least 2 years.
A minimum age of 21–25 depending on the provider (some charge a young driver supplement for under-25s).
A credit card for the security deposit — usually €500–1,500, which is held (not charged) and released after the vehicle is returned undamaged.
Some providers require you to be a resident of the EU/EEA, while others accept international licences with an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Frequently asked questions
How much does campervan relocation cost?
Most deals cost between €1 and €5 per day. Some are completely free, and a few include a fuel allowance. Your main costs are fuel, tolls, and food.
Is campervan relocation a scam?
No. It's a well-established arrangement used by major rental companies across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Professional vehicle transport is far more expensive, so letting travellers drive is a genuine win-win.
How far in advance should I book?
Deals are posted 1–4 weeks before the pickup date. The best deals go quickly, so check frequently or set up email alerts. Autumn (September–November) has the most availability.
Can I bring passengers?
Yes — most providers allow passengers at no extra cost. Check the vehicle's seat count, as some campervans seat 2 while others seat 4–5.
Can I sleep in the campervan during the relocation?
Usually yes — the vehicle is fully equipped with a bed, kitchen, and sometimes a bathroom. You're expected to return it clean, but you can use the facilities during your trip. This saves you accommodation costs on top of the cheap rental.
What happens if I'm late?
Late returns typically incur a penalty fee. If you think you'll be delayed, contact the provider immediately — many will work with you to find a solution. Build a buffer day into your plan just in case.
Ready to find a deal? Search all European relocation deals in one place.
Search deals on Movacamper →Related articles
🗺️ Top 5 Campervan Relocation Routes in Europe (2026) — The best routes with distances, drive times, and scenic highlights for each leg.
💰 How to Save Money on Campervan Relocation — 10 practical tips to cut costs on fuel, tolls, food, and transport to the pickup city.
📅 Best Time for Campervan Relocation Deals in Europe — Month-by-month guide to when the most deals appear and which routes open up each season.