Vivir en una furgoneta a tiempo completo: Costos, Seguridad y Realidad

Vivir en una furgoneta a tiempo completo puede ser increíblemente liberador — o silenciosamente agotador.
Esta guía es para personas que están considerando seriamente la vida en furgoneta y quieren los costos reales, limitaciones diarias y realidades de seguridad, no la versión de Instagram.
Si solo buscas inspiración, este artículo podría sentirse incómodo — es intencional.

Esta guía es para ti si:

• estás considerando vivir en una furgoneta a tiempo completo, no solo hacer un viaje en caravana
• quieres entender los costos reales, legalidad, seguridad y logística diaria
• prefieres experiencia honesta sobre contenido estético de furgonetas

Esta guía NO es para ti si:

• solo buscas fotos de ensueño y motivación
• estás planeando una breve vacación en caravana
• no quieres lidiar con incomodidad, planificación e intercambios

De un vistazo: Costos de vida en furgoneta

• Monthly cost: ~£600–£1,200 / €700–€1,400 depending on country & lifestyle
• Wild camping: possible but legally restricted in many areas (UK vs Europe ≠ same rules)
• Showers & toilets: campsites, aires, gyms, portable solutions — no magic trick
• Income: most full-time van lifers work online (remote jobs or freelance)
• Biggest mistakes: underestimating costs, legality, water access & winter living

Los costos mensuales de vida en furgoneta suelen estar entre 400 y 2.000 euros (gasolina, comida, seguros, reparaciones).

Los costos de seguros para furgonetas están entre 200 y 600 euros al año.

• What Is Van Life and Is It Really for You
• Best Van to Live in Full Time
• What to Know Before Living in a Van Conversion
• Wild Camping vs Campsites for UK and Europe
• Water Gas Toilets and Showers
• What You Need for Van Life
• How Much Does Life in a Van Really Cost
• What to Pack for Van Life
• How Do You Make Money Living in a Van
• Safety Stealth and Common Mistakes

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you in advance!

Antes de gastar tu dinero, sé honesto contigo mismo:

¿Puedes vivir con compromisos constantes (menos espacio, menos privacidad, menos comodidades)?

¿Eres lo suficientemente versado en mecánica o tienes dinero para manejar reparaciones?

Muchas personas compran furgonetas con grandes sueños, solo para venderlas después de 6–12 meses cuando la realidad se establece.

Comienza con un viaje de prueba

Antes de gastar miles de euros, alquila una furgoneta similar durante 2–4 semanas. Esta es tu prueba realista.

Descubrirás si puedes viajar cómodamente — o si no puedes vivir constantemente en un espacio pequeño. Ambos están bien.

Nuevo vs. Usado

Furgonetas usadas: 3.000–50.000 euros

Si compras nuevo, obtienes garantía y sin problemas ocultos.

Si compras usado, ahorras dinero, pero debes tomar la inspección en serio.

Nunca compres una furgoneta usada sin inspección profesional.

Busca: daño por óxido, daño por agua, problemas del motor, defectos interiores y fugas de gas.

Una furgoneta de 20 años con 100.000 km no es igual a otra — el historial de mantenimiento es crucial.

Tamaño vs. Costos

Una furgoneta más pequeña (15–20 m²) cuesta menos comprar, menos calentar/enfriar y es más fácil de conducir.

Una furgoneta más grande (20–35 m²) es más cómoda, pero más cara de operar y más difícil de estacionar.

Sección 2: Los costos mensuales reales

Las personas mienten sobre los costos de vida en furgoneta (intencional o no). Olvidan gasolina, reparaciones y cuotas de estacionamiento.

Aquí está lo que realmente pagarás:

Gasolina/Diésel

Dependiendo de tu furgoneta y cuánto viajes, la gasolina/diésel cuesta entre 50 y 200 euros al mes.

Una furgoneta grande ineficiente podría costarte 200+ euros al mes en áreas caras.

Cocina y comida

Cocinar en una furgoneta es más barato que comer fuera, pero no tanto como piensas.

Is wild camping legal when living in a van?
Wild camping laws vary significantly by country. In England, it is largely restricted, while Scotland is far more permissive. In much of Europe, official camper areas make wild camping less necessary. Understanding local rules is essential to avoid fines, stress and unwanted attention.

Gas para cocinar: 10–20 euros al mes.

Agua e instalaciones sanitarias

El agua suele ser gratis (de campings, gasolineras o fuentes públicas), pero drenar agua gris/negra a menudo tiene una tarifa.

Cuotas de disposición: 5–15 euros por lugar.

Papel higiénico e artículos sanitarios: 15–30 euros al mes.

Electricidad y calefacción

Solar + Generador: Un buen sistema solar cuesta 500–2.000 euros por adelantado y proporciona electricidad gratuita.

Calefacción de gasoil: 50–100 euros al mes (solo en meses fríos).

Corriente de campamento: 10–20 euros por noche en un camping con servicios.

Seguro

Seguro de furgoneta: 200–600 euros al año.

Es más barato que el seguro de auto, pero varía según la edad, condición y cobertura.

Reparaciones y mantenimiento

Este es el comodín. Las furgonetas usadas pueden volverse inesperadamente costosas.

Be sure to use the helpful park4night app when wild camping. It will help you find great spots to stop for a night or two.

Una bomba de agua rota, un problema del motor o una fuga en el techo podrían costarte 500–3.000 euros.

Cuotas de camping

Esto cuesta entre 10 y 50 euros por noche, dependiendo de la región, temporada e instalaciones.

No es obligatorio — puedes acampar gratuitamente en cualquier lugar (en algunos países está permitido, en otros no).

Internet y comunicaciones

We never actually wild-camped in France because it's incredibly well set up for campervans. We used the superb All the Aires book to find a good spot and never had any issues.

WiFi en campings está a menudo incluido, a veces 5–10 euros extra.

Presupuesto mensual total

What is daily life really like when living in a van?
Daily van life revolves around basic logistics: finding water, managing waste, refilling gas and planning showers. These small, recurring tasks shape routines far more than driving or sightseeing. Once mastered, they become predictable — but they never fully disappear.

Vida de furgoneta media: 1.000–1.500 euros al mes (campings ocasionales, viaje regular, reparaciones profesionales).

Vida de furgoneta cómoda: 1.500–2.500+ euros al mes (campings frecuentes, mucho viaje, furgonetas más nuevas).

Esto es sin gastos de viaje extra, seguros de salud, médicos o dentistas.

In France and Spain, we had no such issues. Again, we used the All the Aires book to see which Aires have access to water.

Este es un gran misterio para los principiantes: ¿dónde puedes realmente dormir?

¿La respuesta? Depende de dónde estés.

Descripción general de Europa

Reglas de Alemania

En Alemania, acampar fuera de campings (acampar salvaje) es técnicamente ilegal, pero en la práctica se tolera.

Normalmente puedes acampar una noche en terrenos públicos si te mantienes discreto.

It's much easier to find it in Europe mainland. Just remember to get your LPG gas adaptors in advance. Yep, France, Spain and the rest of Europe have different connections so you'll need the right adaptor.

Hay más de 1.500 campings en Alemania, con tarifas de 15–40 euros por noche.

Mejores destinos: Selva Negra, Alpes de Baviera, Lago Constanza.

Reglas de Italia

El acampar salvaje es oficialmente ilegal en Italia, pero a menudo se ignora.

Mantente discreto, no estaciones en lugares turísticos concurridos y vete por la mañana.

Out of all the van accessories, I recommend getting a portable shower. It's not a proper shower, but you can wash your hair with it and have a semi-shower. Or even an outdoor shower when wild camping.

Mejores destinos: Toscana, Costa Amalfitana, Dolomitas.

Reglas de España

El acampar salvaje no es ilegal en España, y hay muchos lugares gratuitos o económicos.

Las 'áreas de autocaravanas' oficiales son económicas (5–15 euros por noche).

Hay aproximadamente 1.600 campings con tarifas de 20–45 euros por noche.

Mejores destinos: Costa Brava, Andalucía, País Vasco.

Reglas de Francia

El acampar salvaje es técnicamente ilegal, pero en la práctica se tolera si te mantienes discreto.

Hay aproximadamente 8.000 campings, con tarifas de 20–60 euros por noche.

Francia tiene una gran cultura de vanlife y acampada.

Mejores destinos: Provenza, Alpes Franceses, Costa Azul.

Aplicaciones y recursos

CampermateES/iEscapeArtist: Conecta viajeros con estacionamientos privados.

FreeStandplätze: Muestra estacionamientos gratuitos en Alemania y países vecinos.

Sección 4: Seguridad en la furgoneta

La vida en furgoneta no es más peligrosa que estar en casa — pero tiene riesgos diferentes.

I, for example, love reading on my Kindle reader and listening to podcasts.

Robo y vandalismo

Las furgonetas, especialmente las nuevas, son objetivos de robo.

Riesgos: neumáticos, espejos, bidones de gasolina, equipo costoso.

Soluciones:

Estaciona en áreas concurridas o campings en lugar de aislado.

Usa alarmas y rastreadores de neumáticos.

There is no fixed monthly budget for van life. Costs vary widely depending on fuel, campsites, food, insurance and travel pace. According to data compiled by Van Life Hub, many full-time van lifers in the UK report spending around £750–£1,000+ per month, while more frugal setups can cost less and comfort-oriented lifestyles more.

Salud y emergencias

We spent around £15–16k on our van conversion, including the cost of the van and insurance. While this felt like a significant investment at the time, it was still far cheaper than buying a ready-made conversion from a professional company.

Si te lesionas o enfermas, planifica dónde puedes conducir.

Before committing that kind of budget, visiting campervan shows can be extremely helpful. We went to the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham to compare layouts, materials and space optimisation. Many £40–70k conversions looked impressive but felt surprisingly cramped — a good reminder that in van life, usable space matters more than shiny features.

Informa a amigos/familia dónde estás, especialmente si viajas solo.

La vida en furgoneta puede ser solitaria, especialmente si viajas solo.

Estás dejando tu red social, rutinas normales y contacto humano regular.

Planes contra la soledad: Mantente en contacto con amigos, visita comunidades vanlife, pasa tiempo en ciudades.

Mujeres solas en la furgoneta

Las mujeres informan de mayores preocupaciones de seguridad en la vida en furgoneta.

Consejos: Confía en tus instintos, estaciona de forma segura, mantén contacto con otros mujeres vanlife.

También ten en cuenta: algunos lugares 'seguros' no lo son si estás sola.

Seguridad del vehículo

1x M&S black skinny jeans | If they ever go out of style, I'll still be wearing them. They make outfits look tidy and effortless. But it's essential to invest in a good pair for it to last for many years.

1x M&S blue jeans | Another beautiful pair of jeans from M&S. They are kind of skinny, with a shortened hem. Looks great with trainers.

1x John Lewis black culottes | Culottes are versatile. They are great for dressing up and down. I love wearing them with a T-shirt and trainers in the hot weather. Keeps me cool, plus looks stylish.

1x black tights | These are for van lounging. Great for working days and just sitting around the van.

1x black yoga pants | Love this pair so much. I wear them for my yoga stretches and also for hiking. Love the pockets too.

1x Hush's Amie Joggers | With zipped ankle cuffs and pockets they looked cool. Unfortunately, they are a little too flimsy for outdoors. However, great for van lounging. Very soft and comfortable.

Vives en 15–35 m².

2x shirts | Even though they crease a little, they look great combined with jeans.

8x t-shirts | Didn't think I had that many! Most of them are lightweight t-shirts that wear well and dry quickly.

2x tank tops | These are great for exercising. Also, double as nightwear.

Clima y estaciones

4x summer dresses | Most of my summer dresses are from Boden. I love the quality, designs and pockets. Plus they have dresses in a tall size, which is hard to come by in regular shops.

1x maxi dress | Got this one recently, but still haven't had the chance to wear it.

2x seasonal dresses | I kept these dresses in case I was travelling to any conferences or autumn destinations. Because they are slightly above my knee, I only wear these with tights and ankle boots.

1x black long skirt | Long skirt is great for hot summer days when I can't decide what to wear.

Agua negra y gestión de residuos

2x woolly jumpers| Perfect for crisp mornings and cooler evenings.

1x long woolly cardigan | A gift from my mum, therefore, this piece travels with me everywhere. Looks great with jeans and trainers. Great for city breaks.

2x cardigans | I am not into pink, but the washed-out pink cardigan is a cute little number in my van life wardrobe. I stole it from my mum. It goes well with jeans or dresses. The other one is a beige colour, very light and soft from M&S.

2x hiking jumpers | Got these two at an outdoor outlet on the way to Scotland. Soft, warm and comfortable. They are the perfect van life essentials.

1x super cosy jumper | Absolutely love this jumper with faux fur lining. It kept me warm in England and Scotland. It's also super handy for early morning and late evening photography sessions.

Es liberador para algunos, deprimente para otros.

1x M&S beige trench coat | Love my trench coat. It's great for city breaks and general travel.

1x Denim jacket | I'm such an 80s nerd. My Denim jacket is 100 years old and I'm not ready to part with it yet. So, it's staying.

Cocinas en una estufa de 3 quemadores en una cocina diminuta.

1x lightweight hiking trousers | Got these lightweight trousers on Amazon for my SE Asia trip back in 2016 and they are still as good as new.

1x waterproof jacket | Very recently purchased, this Regatta jacket is pretty stylish and looks great with jeans. Perfect for misty hikes too.

3x hiking socks | You should always have hiking socks in a van.

1x hiking boots | I walked many muddy rice fields in Vietnam in these shoes and they are still in great condition.

Necesitas acceso regular a campings o duchas públicas.

1x Adidas trainers | Love this pair. They look great. But go a size up if you are planning to get them.

1x M&S navy smart pumps | I have them in the van, just in case. You never know where you're going to end up when living in a van.

1x Dune ankle boots | Love my Dune ankle boots. They are comfy and versatile. Great with jeans and dresses.

1x flip-flops | Flip flops are essential for van life. You'll need them when using public showers or in general, hopping out of the van to take the rubbish out.

La limpieza diaria es necesaria.

2x spring/autumn scarves | I absolutely adore my scarves and wear them as soon as the weather gets crispier. They make a great accessory and keep you cosy outdoors and indoors.

1x winter scarf | Having a wool scarf or a shawl is another van life must-have item.

1x across the shoulder bag | When visiting a city, I prefer wearing a small bag to a backpack.

1x black occasion bag | Bought it in a boutique shop back when I lived in Malta. It's quite versatile and not too fancy so I kept it in the van.

Sección 6: ¿La vida en furgoneta es adecuada para ti?

5x t-shirt bras | I always stock up on bras at Debenhams whenever I'm back in the UK. They have the best stock.

7x knickers | No need to elaborate on this one.

4x invisible socks | Great for wearing with trainers.

3 x cosy socks | A pair of cosy, soft socks are a great addition to anyone's van life wardrobe.

1x woolly socks | My woolly socks are Christmas edition, and I love them.

1x nightdress | When it's cooler outside, a fun long-sleeve nightdress or PJs will keep you cosy in a van. Mine has lamas on it. Super cute.

1x bikini top | A simple black bikini top is great for mixing and matching.

2x bikini bottoms | I've got one black and one ornate for the above reason.

Buscas aventura y nuevos lugares.

1x Osprey 40l backpack | Love my epic travel backpack. Osprey bags are super comfortable and look great too. I've had it for a few years now and it still looks great.

1x Day bag | A good item to have for travelling, hiking, and exploring.

Estás solo y abierto al senderismo y contacto social.

La verdad final

La vida en furgoneta no es para Instagram. Es para personas dispuestas a intercambiar comodidad por libertad y entienden que la libertad es un desafío propio.

Some earn money as graphic designers, photographers, language teachers, writers, reviewers, social media managers, virtual assistants, you name it. The options are endless if you have the right skills.

I earned money as a ghostwriter for other bloggers, and also as a Pinterest virtual assistant.

Now I work online as a copywriter. I create SEO-targeted copy and campaigns for various online brands. The pay varies depending on the length of the copy.

Safety Stealth and Common Mistakes

Is it safe to live in a van full time?
Living in a van full time is generally safe, but safety depends far more on where and how you park than on crime itself. Most issues come from poor location choices. Staying discreet, avoiding lay-bys and parking near other campervans significantly reduces risk.

One of the most common ways van lifers reduce attention and stay safe is through stealth living.

Stealth van living is a term used for van lifers who wild camp in a stealth van. Such a van looks just like an ordinary work van from the outside. It doesn’t have any branding or attachments like bike racks or awnings.

We kept our van pretty stealthy. The only thing that gives it away is the roof vents (when open), the solar panel and the Wi-Fi signal booster. But if living in a van wasn't your thing, you probably wouldn't even notice these details.

We came across a few stealth vans in England and Scotland, but not much in France. In Spain, we are seeing quite a variety of van conversions, which are always fun to spot.