Made in Italy campers: Europe's third-largest industry thanks to design and quality

With 8,000 direct and indirect jobs, the Made in Italy camper industry is the third-largest in Europe. This achievement highlights Italians' spirit of exploration, reflected in products renowned for their quality, comfort, and attention to design. These very characteristics have attracted the attention of international enthusiasts to motorhomes built in Italy. In fact, the industry exports more than 80% of its production, primarily to Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. These figures tell the story of a supply chain that successfully combines the automotive, furniture, technology, and tourism sectors.

An Italian industry growing faster than Europe's

Across Europe, around 20 million tourists travel by camper or caravan each year, with a total fleet of more than 6.5 million recreational vehicles. In 2025, more than 161,000 vehicles were registered, a figure that remained essentially stable. In Italy, however, new registrations reached 7,936, an increase of 10.6% compared with 2024.

A comparison with 2014 makes the change even more apparent: at that time, only 3,718 campers were registered. In just over ten years, the Italian market has grown by 113%, influencing the used vehicle market as well, which recorded a 6.05% increase.

The Italian industry's figures demonstrate that interest in these vehicles continues to grow. The Italian industry's figures demonstrate that interest in these vehicles continues to grow. The industry's international focus positions Italian companies within a European market where build quality, reliability, and adaptability are essential.

A home on the move, designed inch by inch

People who choose a camper want the comfort of a home combined with the mobility of a vehicle. Every component must be lightweight, durable, and seamlessly integrated with the others. Furnishings must adapt to the structure, while plumbing, electrical, and climate control systems must ensure autonomy and comfort under a variety of conditions.


The Italian camper industry has developed around this complexity, bringing together manufacturers, outfitters, and companies specializing in lighting, textiles, modular furniture, home automation, water management, and safety systems. Many of these solutions are also supplied to foreign manufacturers, bringing Italian expertise to vehicles built in other countries. The supply chain is strengthened by a broad range of specialized component expertise, making the industry competitive on multiple fronts.

Attention to design also plays a practical role. Fold-away tables, drop-down beds, convertible seating, and hidden storage compartments allow the same living space to be reconfigured throughout the day. Durable materials, high-quality fabrics, and adjustable lighting help create a comfortable living space without sacrificing practicality.

Campers have become part of the modern Made in Italy story—not only for their aesthetics, but also for their ability to turn technical constraints into practical, user-friendly solutions.

From compact vans to premium motorhomes

Just as camper manufacturers have introduced a wide range of solutions, the Italian market has become increasingly polarized. According to the Camper Manufacturers Association (Associazione Produttori Camper/APC), van campers are on the rise, accounting for nearly 40% of the domestic market. These agile vehicles are well suited for weekend trips, local travel, and year-round use. At the other end of the market, the premium segment is also growing, with semi-integrated and cab-over motorhomes featuring large garages, well-equipped bathrooms, and advanced smart home systems.

The range of 4x4 vehicles is also expanding, aimed at drivers who combine camper travel with outdoor activities and more adventurous routes.

The 2026 trends point toward greater flexibility, more comprehensive features, and technologies designed to simplify life on the road. Portable power stations, water filtration systems, safety devices, and solutions for transporting electric bicycles, kayaks, or electric scooters are turning campers into a base camp for exploring the surrounding area.

The Salone del Camper (the Camper Show): where industry meets new travel lifestyles

For travelers, it has become one of Italy's leading gathering places for camper enthusiasts. This is the Salone del Camper in Parma, the second-largest camper show in Europe by number of visitors. The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 12–20 and will feature approximately 110,000 square meters (1.18 million square feet) of exhibition space. In 2025, the show welcomed more than 107,000 visitors, over 310 exhibitors from 22 countries, and approximately 600 vehicles on display.

These figures confirm the event's role as a meeting place for manufacturers, industry professionals, and the public, as well as an opportunity to observe the sector's evolution, from new housing solutions to emerging mobility concepts. The industry's growth is closely linked to tourism. Italy is home to approximately 2,600 tourism businesses specializing in welcoming camper travelers, in addition to farm campgrounds and dedicated camper stopover areas.

In September 2025, the Ministry of Tourism allocated more than €25.7 million to 152 projects involving the creation or redevelopment of 1,454 camper parking spaces across 170 Italian municipalities. With average spending in Europe estimated at around €200 a day, camper tourism helps spread visitor traffic and spending across restaurants, retail businesses, services, and local producers, including areas beyond the most popular destinations.

International opportunities for manufacturers and component suppliers

Growing demand for comfort, personalization, and technology is creating new opportunities for manufacturers and specialized SMEs. Furnishings, materials, systems, accessories, and digital solutions can be integrated into both Italian vehicles and European production chains. The motorhome therefore reflects a distinctive feature of Italian expertise: designing complex products around people’s real-life experiences. It is not simply a means of reaching a destination, but an environment capable of adapting to the journey.

OpportunItaly promotes Italian motorhome manufacturers and leading players in the automotive industry. For buyers interested in developing new business opportunities with Italian industry, the Buyers Club offers tailored services and experiences to discover partners, expertise, and innovative solutions from across the supply chains. To connect with companies that combine quality with Made in Italy know-how every day, join the program.

Sources:
La Repubblica
Associazione Produttori Caravan e Camper

In summary

• Italy is Europe's third-largest producer of campers, behind Germany and France

• The industry employs more than 8,000 people and exports over 80% of its production

• In 2025, new camper registrations in Italy increased by 10.6%

• Van campers account for nearly 40% of the market, while demand for premium models continues to grow

• The Salone del Camper in Parma is the second-largest camper show in Europe by number of visitors
  
  
  

  Join the programme