Page last updated: 19 May 2025
The campervan market in Ireland has grown from 10,000 registrations in 2014 to over 20,000 in 2024.
How many campervans are currently registered in Ireland?
Around 20,000 campervans were registered in Ireland as of 2024.
- This was a 10% increase YoY and a 44% increase from 2020.
- From the mid-2010s to 2024, the number of campervans in Ireland has roughly doubled from 10,000 to over 20,000.
How many new campervans are registered in Ireland each year?
1,427 new campervans were registered in 2021 (peak), dropping to 518 in 2023.
Annual overview:
- Between 2014 and 2018, about 300-400 new registrations occurred annually.
- A surge in registrations happened in 2019 (824 units).
- Registrations decreased to 501 in 2020 (during the pandemic) before increasing again strongly to 1,427 in 2021.
- There was a market decline in 2022. Only 236 campervans were registered (12 brand-new and 224 used imports).
- The market stabilised in 2023, with registrations increasing to 518. Supply continued to normalise in 2024, with numbers reaching 550 units.
Which regions in Ireland have the most campervan registrations?
Dublin, Cork, and Galway account for over 42% of all campervans in Ireland.
- Dublin has the highest number of registered vehicles (3,600).
- Cork: 2,800
- Galway: 2,000
- Kerry and Donegal each have 1,600 registered campervans as of 2024.
Demographics of Campervan Owners in Ireland
The average Irish campervan owner is 52 years old as of 2024.
- Age Distribution – Campervan owners show a wide age range. 32% are in the 60+ age range, 28% in 50-59, 19% in 40-49, 15% in 30-39, and 6% in the 18-29 age range.
- Income Levels – About 65% have annual household incomes over €60,000, while 27% earn above €100,000.
- Family Composition – Around 55% have no children living at home. 45% are families with children.
- Average Travel Party – 2.6 occupants per trip. 58% of all campervan journeys in Ireland are couple-based.
What types of campervans are most popular in Ireland?
Class B panel van conversions make up 56% of all campervans in Ireland as of 2024.
- Class B Motorhomes (Panel Van Conversions): These purpose-built units make up 56% of all campervans in Ireland. Popular models are Fiat Ducato-based campervans (42%), Ford Transit-based models (31%), and Renault Master-based campervans (18%).
- Class C Motorhomes (Coachbuilt): 28% of Irish campervans, mainly Swift, Hymer, and Elddis. New Class C motorhomes cost an average of €65,000.
- Pop-Top Campervans: 12% of the Irish campervan market with Volkswagen-based models (65%) and Ford Transit Custom conversions (25%).
- Class A Motorhomes: The remaining 4% of Irish campervans are luxury Class A integrated motorhomes. New models can be priced for over €110,000.
Market Overview
The second-hand market is significant in Ireland. 95% of annual registrations are used vehicles. 75% of these are imported from the UK and other European countries rather than purchased new in Ireland.
How much does it cost to own a campervan in Ireland?
Irish campervan owners pay €2,500 per year for running costs on top of the purchase price.
- Purchase Price: A brand new campervan or motorhome in Ireland will cost €45,000-€50,000, with luxury models costing over €100,000.
- Motor Tax: The annual motor tax for a private motor caravan in Ireland is €102, a flat rate as campers are not used as daily transport.
- Insurance: Insurance for a campervan in Ireland will cost €350-€500 per year for comprehensive cover, depending on the driver’s profile and vehicle value.
- Maintenance & Repairs: Owners will pay around €500 per year for vehicle mechanics and habitation equipment like fridges, heaters, and plumbing.
- Testing and Certification: Irish motor caravans must be tested for roadworthiness (CVRT) after 4 years for new vehicles, then every 2 years up to 10 years old, and annually thereafter for €40-€55 per test.
How many campervan dealers exist in Ireland?
Ireland has 16 specialised campervan dealerships as of 2024, an increase from 5 dedicated dealers in 2014.
- The dealership network now spans 10 different locations, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Donegal, and Wicklow, compared to only 4 locations in 2014.
Ireland Camping Resources
Irish Campervan Ownership – How long do people keep them and why?
Irish campervan owners tend to hold onto their vehicles for a significant period (7.5-year average). This is longer than the average car ownership in Ireland (4 years).
Breakdown:
- Long-Term Owners (8-12 years). 42% of owners. View their campervans as a long-term investment for ongoing holidays and keep them for 8 to 12 years.
- Medium-Term Owners (4-7 years). About 35% of owners. They tend to use their campervans for 4 to 7 years before upgrading, often due to changes in their family situation or financial circumstances.
- Short-Term Owners (Up to 3 years). Roughly 23% of campervan owners sell their vehicles within the first 3 years. Common reasons for this include purchasing the campervan for a specific trip or discovering that the campervan lifestyle isn’t a good fit for them.
Campervans Hold Their Value Well
Well-maintained campervans in Ireland are durable and sought after in the second-hand market. They retain their value well over time:
- After 5 years, a campervan can usually be sold for around 65% of its original purchase price.
- Even after 10 years, it can still hold approximately 50% of its initial value.
Owner Age Plays a Role
The age of the owner also correlates with how long they keep their campervan:
- Owners aged 60 and over tend to keep their campervans the longest (average ownership period 9.2 years).
- Younger owners (under 40) generally sell their campervans more quickly (average of 5.3 years).
How many campervans are produced in Ireland?
About 85 domestically converted campervans are produced in Ireland every year.
- There are 4 small-scale conversion companies dedicated to domestic production. They build fewer than 100 units annually, primarily custom conversions on imported van chassis.
- The campervan market in Ireland relies significantly on imports. 95% of campervans come from abroad, 68% from the UK, and 27% from continental Europe.
Campervan and Caravan Comparison in Ireland
Towable caravans make up 60% of all recreational vehicles in Ireland, while self-propelled campervans and motorhomes make up 40%.
- As of 2024, 20,000 campervans and 30,000 caravans were in use in Ireland (up 12% since 2019).
- The campervan market experienced a 2-3% annual growth before the pandemic and 4.5% from 2021-2022.
- 31,500 caravans are expected to be in use by 2025.
- The campervan to caravan ratio in Ireland (40:60) is different from other countries like Australia (10:90) and the UK (15:85), which reflects Ireland’s strong campervan culture.
Campervans vs Caravans Cost
Caravans
- New caravans cost around €20,000 to €50,000+ in Ireland.
- The average family caravan is priced around €25,000-€30,000.
- Used 5-year-old caravans sell for around €15,000-€18,000.
Campervans
- Campervans are priced higher. Factory-built models start at €45,000.
- Premium Class B campervans cost around €65,000 for new vehicles.
- Luxury models with high-end features are priced over €100,000.
Most Popular Campervan Routes and Travel Destinations in Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way gets 68% of all campervan tourism in Ireland. Visitors spent on average around 12 nights here in 2024.
- The 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way route sees 430,000 campervan overnight stays per year and generates €85 million in local economic impact.
- Kerry is the most popular destination with 22% of all campervan visitors, followed by Galway with 19% and Cork with 16%.
- Other popular campervan destinations by visitor numbers are Dingle (56,000), Killarney (52,000), Westport (48,000), Kinsale (45,000), and Clifden (41,000).
Campervan Statistics by Country
- Canada Campervan Statistics
- France Campervan Statistics
- Germany Campervan Statistics
- Iceland Campervan Statistics
- European Camping Statistics
References
- DoT: Irish Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics 2020-2024
- CSO: Vehicle Licensing Reports 2020-2024
- CI: Irish Caravan and Camping Council Annual Reports 2018-2024
- ITBF: Ireland Tourism Board Foundation Visitor Statistics 2022-2024
- MCUI: Motor Caravanners Union of Ireland Membership Surveys 2023
- IMIA: Irish Motorhome Industry Association Market Analysis 2024