The Canary Islands government is finalising new regulations for camping areas and campervan sites across the archipelago. Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León told parliament this week that the regulation responds to “a long-overdue need,” as the activity has often generated unnecessary territorial disputes, legal uncertainty and missed opportunities for sustainable tourism.

The government expects the regulations to come into force during the first quarter of 2026. According to official figures, more than 13,000 people use caravans or campervans in the Canary Islands, generating an estimated €200 million (£175 million) annually. Until now, however, the sector has lacked a proper regulatory framework. The new rules, which have been developed with the help of a dozen camping and caravan associations, will set standards for overnight areas, campsites and transit areas, as well as defining plot sizes. 

Maximum stays of 72 hours will be implemented, while special focus will be placed on rural areas, where existing buildings could host up to 12 pitches.

Minister De León said that parking and overnight stays in vehicles will remain permitted unless a local council prohibits them, while camping itself will continue to only be allowed in designated areas. The regional government is offering island cabildos (town halls) a clear framework to manage, plan and supervise these activities more effectively, rather than take their powers away, she added.

This news comes as authorities in Tenerife revealed they will introduce restrictions for private cars to the islands popular Teide National Park. Following the change, access at certain times would be reserved for just buses and coaches, as officials want to regulate tourist flows to the beauty spot.

Authorities are keen to address overcrowding and environmental pressures in one of Spain’s most visited natural spaces, while still guaranteeing public access.

Elsewhere, a travel platform sparked anger in Tenerife last month after recommending a viewpoint as one of the six most photogenic places in Spain, heightening concerns about overcrowding. The company, CamperDays, listed Chipeque, in Tenerife’s Corona Forestal, in its ranking despite ongoing concerns about overcrowding, safety risks and environmental damage in the area. 

The promotion of Chipeque as a campervan destination is particularly controversial because of the strict regulations for motorhomes and campervans within Teide National Park and the Corona Forestal.