I would really recommend finding out which relevant regulations exist in your country. Especially regarding vehicle classification, gas, electrics and insurance.
In some countries you have to get the van checked by the authorities and if it does not comply to the standards you have to change it! This could be really expensive and demoralizing. I cannot give information for every country – but it should be easy enough for you to find out (especially as you will speak the right language!).
UK (Where I am)
In the UK there is a set of requirements for a camper van if you want to register it as such – you can find them here;
For those from other countries, this gives an insight to what you may have to consider.
Below are the DVLA minimum features to be classified as a camper (May 2019). This can make insuring it more easy and cheaper.
In order for a converted vehicle to qualify as a motor caravan it must have certain minimum features:
- a door that provides access to the living accommodation
- a bed, which has a minimum length of 1800mm or 6 feet - this can be converted from seats used for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle
- a water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle
- a seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle - the table may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It is not good enough to have a loose table
- a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe
- a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity
- at least one window on the side of the accommodation
If the vehicle has all of these features present, permanently fixed and installed properly, then it is a legal requirement to have it reclassified as a motor caravan on the V5C.
DVLA Recent Developments: The DVLA have been messing with the classification of motorhomes – now they are changing the category more based on it’s appearance.