ITV for campervans in 2026: intervals and what is checked inside

In March 2026 the DGT issued instruction PROT 2026/04, and by summer every motoring outlet in Spain had written about it. The headlines sounded alarming: "ITV every six months". In fact the main point of the instruction is something else: it fixes which group your vehicle belongs to, and the schedule depends on the group.

This article is for information only. It does not replace advice from an engineer or the text of the regulations.

What has changed

Instruction PROT 2026/04 of 11 March 2026 replaced the earlier PROT 2023/14. It draws a clear line between two types of "home on wheels":

• motorhomes, registered in category M;
• vans converted for living (furgón vivienda), which remain in category N on paper.

The inspection intervals themselves come from Real Decreto 920/2017. The instruction clarifies which schedule applies to each group.

ITV intervals for a converted van

According to the specialist press, the schedule for a category N van is as follows:

Category M motorhomes have a gentler schedule with no six-monthly interval. The exact intervals for your vehicle are determined by the entry on the tarjeta ITV, so check against that.

The main takeaway: two campers that look identical can have different schedules, because one is registered in category M and the other in N.

Who is affected most

Owners of vans over 10 years old that were converted by the owner or in a workshop. There are many of them in Spain: campers were built on used vans in large numbers.

The market, meanwhile, keeps growing. According to the association ASEICAR, registrations of new motorhomes and campervans in August 2026 were up 14.1 % on the previous year, and the used market grew by 16.2 %.

An unregistered conversion: what you risk

If a cargo van has fixed furniture and the documents say nothing about it, that is an unregistered modification. Possible consequences:

• a failed ITV until the conversion is registered or removed;
• a fine at a roadside check;
• a dispute with your insurer after an accident.

What counts as a modification

The procedure is set by Real Decreto 866/2010 and the Manual de Reformas de Vehículos. The seventh edition of the manual is currently in force; its second amendment took effect on 6 February 2026.

Modifications that normally have to be registered include:

• fixed furniture, a bed, a kitchen unit;
• additional or altered seats and seat belts;
• windows and roof lights cut into the body;
• a gas installation;
• the electrical system for the living area, solar panels;
• an awning and other fixed external elements.

Anything that is not fixed and can be removed without tools is not usually treated as a modification. The list for your project is determined by the engineer, and it should be discussed before work starts, including the make-up of the finishes and the total weight.

What is checked inside

According to the specialist press and workshop recommendations, the inspector looks at the following:

• how the furniture is fixed. Cupboards, kitchen and bed are securely anchored to the floor and walls;
• agreement with the documents. What is installed matches what the project describes;
• seats and belts. The number of seats matches the documents;
• gas and electrics. There are certificates for the installations;
• mass. The vehicle does not exceed its MMA.

The registration process

1. Before work starts: a consultation with the engineer, a list of modifications and a list of documents for the components.
2. The work, following the agreed list. Keep receipts and certificates.
3. A technical project from the engineer and a workshop certificate.
4. ITV: inspection and entry of the modifications on the tarjeta ITV.

The most common mistake: build first, then go for the paperwork. A missing document for a single component can mean replacing it and going back to the ITV.

The cost depends on the region and the scope of work. Published figures mention €400–600 for a conversion project.

What to do now

• Find the vehicle's category and classification on the tarjeta ITV.
• If the van is over 10 years old and in category N, plan for two ITV visits a year.
• If the conversion is not registered, start with a consultation with an engineer, not with the build.
• Weigh the vehicle in running order (for how the floor affects weight, see the article on campervan floor weight).
• Tell your insurer about the changes.

FAQ

Is it true that all campervans now have an ITV every six months? No. The six-monthly schedule applies to category N vehicles over 10 years old. It does not affect category M motorhomes.

Can a converted van be moved to a different classification? That depends on the specific vehicle and the extent of the conversion. A homologation engineer can answer that.

Does a removable bed module have to be registered? If the module is not permanently fixed and can be removed without tools, it is usually treated as cargo. Check with the engineer, and secure the load when travelling.

Where can I read the original sources? Instrucción PROT 2026/04 on the DGT website, Real Decreto 920/2017 and Real Decreto 866/2010 in the BOE, and the Manual de Reformas de Vehículos on the website of the Ministry of Industry.

On choosing a covering for the interior: which floor to choose for a campervan.