Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to hire in the Netherlands, listed by private owners and local hire businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for campervan hire in Europe, then book online with insurance included.
Campervan hire in the Netherlands suits a first trip abroad: the country is small, flat and well served by campsites and dedicated motorhome pitches, so no day involves a long drive. Expect to pay roughly €55–€180 a night (about €400–€1,250 a week), with the top of that range in July and August. May to September is the most reliable weather, and the one rule to plan around is that wild camping is not allowed.
Netherlands quick facts
| Typical hire price | About €55–€180 a night, €400–€1,250 a week (peak summer sits at the top) |
|---|---|
| Best months | May to September for the warmest weather; spring for the bulb fields, early autumn for quieter campsites |
| Drive on the | Right |
| Licence | A UK photocard licence is accepted, and the UK government lists no IDP requirement; check your hire company's own rule |
| Tolls and vignettes | No motorway tolls and no vignette. A few crossings charge: the Kiltunnel and the Blankenburg tunnel (A24) |
| Low-emission zones | Milieuzones for older diesels in Amsterdam, Arnhem and Utrecht (Euro 5 or newer) and The Hague (Euro 4 or newer); petrol vehicles can always enter |
| Overnight rules | Wild camping is not allowed anywhere; use campsites or camperplaatsen |
Where you can stay overnight
There is no right to roam in the Netherlands, and no national motorhome-stop network like the French aires. You have two practical choices.
Campsites. The country has a dense spread of campsites, many with pitches for motorhomes and plenty close to cycle routes, beaches and cities.
Camperplaatsen. A camperplaats is a dedicated motorhome pitch, often on a farm, at a marina, beside a village or within an existing leisure site. Facilities range from a bare parking bay with a water point to full hook-up, and you normally pay a modest fee. Where a municipality allows them, the rules can tie them to existing tourist or recreation facilities rather than permit informal roadside stopping (Venlo's policy does exactly that). The pitches are small and fill up on summer weekends, so look at them a day ahead and have a campsite as a back-up.
What the wild camping rule actually says
Overnight stays outside proper sites are controlled by each municipality through its local ordinance (the APV), not by one national law. A typical example is Venlo, whose policy states that camping outside designated campsites is not permitted and that free-standing camper spots are not allowed. Natuurmonumenten, a major nature-reserve owner, says true wild camping is permitted nowhere in the Netherlands. Fines are set locally (one consumer programme quoted about €140 for pitching a tent on public grass). Many municipal ordinances, following the national model ordinance, also stop a camper being left on a public road for more than three consecutive days. That is parking, not sleeping in the van. In practice, treat any kerbside, car park, dune or woodland overnight as a fine waiting to happen.
Driving a campervan in the Netherlands
Tolls. There are no motorway tolls and no vignette. The exceptions are individual crossings:
- The Kiltunnel near Dordrecht charges €2 for vehicles under 2.30 m high and €5 for vehicles of 2.30 m and above, which includes most campervans and motorhomes.
- The Blankenburg tunnel on the A24 near Rotterdam charges all vehicles, and from January 2026 the fee is €1.57 a trip for campers up to 3,500 kg. The Dutch government explains how to pay by camera and number plate; ask your hire company whether it settles this for you.
- The Westerscheldetunnel in Zeeland has been toll-free for vehicles under 3 m high since 30 December 2024, which covers most campervans; taller motorhomes of 3 m or more still pay.
The Netherlands' new per-kilometre truck charge covers trucks over 3.5 tonnes (categories N2 and N3), which is a different vehicle class from a motorhome.
Low-emission zones. The official milieuzones site lists Amsterdam, Arnhem, The Hague and Utrecht as the municipalities restricting older diesel cars and vans. Petrol vehicles can always enter. Since 1 January 2025 a diesel needs at least Euro 4 for a green zone (The Hague) and Euro 5 for a blue zone (Amsterdam, Arnhem and Utrecht). Diesel campers owned by a local resident get a concession, and a visiting hire van does not. Most modern hire vans are well inside the limits, but ask the hire company to confirm the emission class and use the plate checker on that site before parking in a city centre. Separate zero-emission zones for delivery vans and trucks began in 2025 in a number of cities; they target freight, not holiday vehicles, but a van converted from a panel van could be registered as a light commercial vehicle, so ask.
Speed limits. The motorway limit is 100 km/h between 06:00 and 19:00 and 100, 120 or 130 km/h outside those hours depending on the road, with a few stretches allowing 130 km/h by day; follow the signs. A motorhome over 3,500 kg may have a lower limit, so check with the hire company. The UK government warns that speed cameras and unmarked police cars are widely used, and fines can be heavy. Cyclists have priority in many situations and are everywhere, so give them room at every junction.
Size. Many historic town centres have narrow streets, low bridges and weight limits. A 2-berth van copes far better than a six-berth motorhome in Amsterdam, Utrecht or Delft. Carry a warning triangle, which hire vans normally include, and keep your licence, the hire agreement and photo ID with you; the UK government says you must carry these.
See also how to drive a campervan for the first time.
Route ideas
- Bulb fields and coast, 4–5 days. Start near Schiphol, then tour Haarlem, the dune coast and the flower region around Lisse (spring only), ending in Leiden or The Hague.
- Cities and canals, 5–7 days. Amsterdam, Utrecht, Delft and Rotterdam. Park at a campsite or camperplaats on the edge of the city and use trams, trains and bikes for the centre, partly because of the milieuzones.
- Wadden coast and Friesland, 5–7 days. Over the Afsluitdijk to Leeuwarden, the lakes of Friesland and the ferries to the Wadden islands; check each island's vehicle rules before you cross.
- Zeeland and the south, 4–6 days. Zeeland beaches, Middelburg and the Delta works, with the option of continuing into Belgium. See Belgium or Germany for longer loops.
When to go and booking tips
July and August bring the highest prices and the fullest camperplaatsen, so book the van and the first and last nights early. May, June and September are cooler, cheaper and quieter. Winter is cold and damp, and fewer campsites are open. Compare what is included before you book: mileage, a second driver, bike racks and the excess. Our guide to how much it costs to hire a motorhome breaks the extras down, and the insurance guide explains cover. If you are flying out, check the documents you need and, for the licence rules, the licence guide.
Where to pick up
The usual starting point is the Amsterdam and Schiphol area, with other pick-ups near the main cities. Availability varies by season and by owner, so search by your dates and compare locations. A one-way hire into Belgium or Germany usually adds a fee, so ask before you book. Dog owners should read the dog-friendly campervan hire page, because pet policies differ between owners.
Netherlands campervan FAQs
Can I wild camp in a campervan in the Netherlands?
No. Natuurmonumenten says real wild camping is allowed nowhere in the country, and municipal ordinances back that up. Use a campsite or camperplaats.
Are there tolls on Dutch motorways?
No. There is no vignette and no motorway toll. Individual tunnels charge: the Kiltunnel and the Blankenburg tunnel. The Westerscheldetunnel is free for vehicles under 3 m high.
Do I need a licence beyond my UK photocard?
The UK government says you can drive in the Netherlands on a UK licence, and its IDP guidance names no general requirement for photocard holders. It suggests checking the hire company's rule. Vans up to 3,500 kg are covered by a normal car licence, as explained in our licence guide.
Will a campervan be allowed into Amsterdam?
Petrol vehicles can enter all milieuzones. Amsterdam's zone is a blue zone, so a diesel needs Euro 5 or better. Check the plate, and expect to park outside the centre.
Can I stay on a camperplaats with a hire van?
Yes, in general. Arrive early in summer and check whether electric hook-up and waste water disposal are included.
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