Let's start off by noting the differences between North American and European RV’s are as vast as driving city streets in Los Angeles, California and Paris, France. Because Europe is the ‘old country’, their infrastructure is quite different from North America with narrower streets and lower bridges.
American RV’s, to put it simply, blow their minds. American RV’s are homes that can support a full-time RV lifestyle while European RV’s are designed for simple camping and aren’t as grand as the rigs manufactured in the U.S.
There is also a difference in the weight of RV’s. Says Andrew Matheson, author of the blog Camper Cats: Full-Time RV Living in Europe, “Another big difference between north America and European motorhomes are the weight restrictions. In North America, our standard driver's license (Class 5) allows us to drive pretty much any vehicle (restrictions are typically based on weight of towed vehicle or number of axles, although motorhomes with more than 2 axles are frequently exempt). Motorhomes, therefore, are often big (34 ft +) and heavy (5,000 kg/11,000 lbs+).”
In Europe, the standard driver’s license (Class B) only allows a driver to operate a vehicle up to 3,500 kg (7,400lbs) and a lot of local roads are restricted to vehicles under 3.5 tons. Thus, the motorhomes in Europe tend to be smaller (21 ft/6.5 m) and lighter. You can get larger motorhomes, but you need to get a different license (Class C) and you are then restricted as to where you can go.”
Andrew and his professional photographer wife, Alison, purchased their motorhome in Europe and traveled there as both residents of Belgium. “We didn’t have the paperwork challenges that you will encounter when bringing a vehicle into Europe or getting the proper visa to stay. There are plenty of differences in motorhomes from both regions (120v vs. 240v, cartridge style black tank vs. built-in, grey tank emptying processes, etc.),” mentions Andrew.
RoRo: Roll on, Roll Off method of shipping your RV overseas.
Besides electrical considerations, dumping the black tank can be an issue in most cases because the dump stations are designed for cassette toilets when RV traveling through Europe and are not designed for the same RV sewage systems used in the U.S. where the waste hose is plugged into an outlet in the ground. Rather, you will need to dump your black water into a container and empty it by gloved hand at a grated common dump area.
Other RV differences include but are not limited to: propane fittings and frequency differences. Campsites are often rated at 16A or 10A, and even as low as 5A although many skip the electrical issues and outfit their rig with solar because there are many free areas to boondock in Europe as well as campgrounds. Another option is to wire up a separate 220/240v system. Some other conversions that may be needed to fit European standards include headlamps and headlights (as required in France).
It is not recommended to take a 40 ft. rig to Europe because not only the roads, but campsites are smaller and narrower, limiting where you can drive/park.
Considerations for Shipping Your RV to Europe
“An important consideration to international travel is the length of time you plan to stay. If you are spending anything less than the three-month maximum (per country), it kind of makes sense to rent,” says Andrew. When looking at the cost of shipping over three years ago, it was somewhere around $3,400 (3,000â¬) from Hamburg to Halifax. If you plan to return with your rig, you're looking at almost $7,000 (6,000â¬). Plus, the hassle of dropping off and picking up your rig (and any damage it may sustain during the voyage). “Plus, then you will need a 120v - 240v converter,” Andrew notes.
The six-month rule allows for ninety days in the Schengen area out of every 180 days. Consequently, if you wish to stay in Europe for longer you can, but your vehicle may not be authorized unless you travel outside of the Schengen area for the rest of the six months.
Size, weight, and distance all factor in. To make sense, you need to calculate what it will cost to get your rig aboard a ship and to the East. There are basically two routes to consider:
1. RoRo: “Roll-On, Roll Off.” This is where your RV is driven up a ramp into the hull of the ship.
2. Inside a container: If your rig is small enough, it can be shipped inside a 20 ft. or 40 ft. shipping container, however RoRo is found to be the cheaper of the two.
Example: A recent price quote to ship a 25 ft. leisure van costs $2,800 for just the base shipping. Add in insurance and documents and the total cost would be approximately $5,500 one way.
Factoring Costs:
Taxes: Import taxes can vary significantly according to the country where you’re planning on RVing. It can cost up to 50% of the value of the vehicle.
Documents: Contact the U.S. Embassy for the country you are planning on traveling to. You will need a passport, bill of lading, proof of insurance, and any other documentation required by the country.
Insurance: This charge is the hefty one that throws people off the idea of shipping their own rig altogether. The larger in total volume your rig is, the more the shipping cost. If you opt to pay for marine insurance, that tags on approximately 1.5% of the cost of your rig. European coverage will cover most countries except Eastern Europe and N. Africa. The more expensive the RV, the higher the cost. Quotes can be obtained from Thum Insurance.
Fuel: Diesel in Europe, the most economical, is running $6-$10 per gallon, so smaller RVs and vans are recommended.
International Driving Permit (IDP): Before you go, do consider obtaining an IDP although it is not required except in Austria, Bosnia, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Spain. The permit is an internationally-recognized translation of your U.S. driver’s license.
Additional fees can include security, gate, document processing, clearance, and Terminal Handling Charges (THC). Also, shipping to Germany requires you to post a bond equal to 29% of the value of the RV, in cash, which will only be returned to you when you leave the EU within six months of your initial arrival. Other ports in Europe do not have this restriction. Contacting an agent such as A1 Auto Transport is recommended and can make the process much easier.
A regular tourist Visa only allows for 90 days at a time out of 180 days in any given country.
Is it Worth the Cost to Ship Your U.S. RV to Europe?
Overall, count on a three-month booking process to ship your RV to Europe. The costs can be worth it if you plan on living and traveling there for a longer stay vs. staying in hotels. U.S. citizens can generally stay as long their visitor/tourist visas entitle them. If living in Europe for an extended period is on your bucket list, go for it!
Shipping your RV to Europe will only make sense and is cost-effective if you plan on living there long enough to break even. View some stories from others who have gone through the process or are doing it now. In particular cases, shipping your RV can wind up being cheaper than paying air/cruise fare plus the cost of renting an RV that is Europe-ready or paying for hotel stays.
“A rental in Europe will run you between $920 and $1,600 (800⬠and 1400â¬) depending on the size and brand (prices based on research in Belgium from 2014/15). So, at a minimum, you'd need to stay 6-7 weeks to at least break even. But when you get into longer term rentals, you can find savings that bring that cost down. Thus, I think it doesn't make sense if you're going to use the RV for less than 3 months,” states Andrew Matheson.
On the brighter side, there is the comfort of having your own home on wheels with all your belongings already in place. When you factor in all the hassle of doing the paperwork and all the costs involved, shipping your RV to Europe for a grand adventure of a lifetime – or years at a time – is the way to go.