Campsites in the 27 EU countries recorded nearly 136 million overnight stays in the first half of 2026. That is 72 percent more than ten years ago. The Netherlands reached slightly more than 10 million camping nights, placing it fifth in Europe. The development outside the traditional high season is particularly interesting for Dutch campsite entrepreneurs.
The European camping market reached a new record in the first six months of 2026. An analysis of Eurostat data by Kampeer & Caravan Industrie (KCI) and BOVAG Caravan- en Camperbedrijven shows that 135.750.659 overnight stays at campsites were registered in the 27 EU countries.
In the same period of 2016, that was slightly more than 79 million nights. This means that the European volume is more than 72 percent higher ten years later.
Growth despite sharp corona-related dip
The development also shows how quickly the camping market recovered after the pandemic.
In 2019, the number of camping overnight stays in the first half of the year amounted to over 103 million. In 2020, this fell back to approximately 41 million. A year later, an increase of 66 percent followed, and in 2022, the European figure, at over 112 million, was once again above pre-corona levels.
Subsequently, the market continued to grow. In the first six months of 2025, 135,4 million camping nights were recorded. In 2026, a small increase was added, bringing the total to nearly 135,8 million.
The strong long-term growth is thus clear, but the difference between 2025 and 2026 is limited. For entrepreneurs, that is an important distinction: the market is at a record level, but current growth is much more moderate than the comparison with ten years ago suggests.
The Netherlands once again exceeds 10 million nights
Dutch campsites recorded slightly more than 10 million overnight stays in the first half of 2026. That is nearly one percent more than in the same period of 2025.
According to the analysis, after 2023, it is only the second time that the Netherlands exceeds 10 million camping nights in the first six months.
Ten years ago, that number was still below 6,5 million. This means the Dutch volume has grown by approximately 55 percent since 2016.
It is striking that the Netherlands recovered faster after the coronavirus slump than the European market as a whole. In 2021, the number of Dutch camping overnight stays already exceeded the 2019 level.
Two-thirds of the guests come from the Netherlands
The composition of the visit changed again after the pandemic.
According to the analysis, in 2021, 94 percent of camping overnight stays in the Netherlands were accounted for by Dutch guests. This was partly due to international travel restrictions.
In 2026, the Dutch share in the first half of the year stands at approximately 67,5 percent. This means that about a third of overnight stays are now once again accounted for by foreign guests.
For entrepreneurs, this underscores the importance of both markets. Domestic guests remain dominant, but international demand once again provides a substantial share of the pre-season and early summer season.
The Netherlands is the fifth-largest camping country in the first half of the year.
In absolute numbers, France remains by far the largest European camping market in the first half of 2026, with approximately 43 million overnight stays.
Next come Italy with approximately 19,5 million, Spain with 18 million, and Germany with 17 million. The Netherlands ranks fifth with slightly more than 10 million camping nights.
That is striking given the size of the country and the relatively short distances. It confirms the strong position of camping within the Dutch leisure sector.
Owning more and more camping equipment
In addition to the overnight stay figures, KCI and BOVAG point to the growing ownership of caravans and motorhomes.
According to KCI President Roel Reineman, 635.000 caravans and motorhomes were registered in the Netherlands on September 1, 2026. That is about 8.500 more than a year earlier.
Our data shows that they are therefore not only used during the summer holidays.
Roel Reineman, President KCI
BOVAG chair Marjolijn Wegkamp also sees a change in the market.
The Dutch camp in all shapes and sizes, and in all seasons. Moreover, it is remarkable that the caravan has made a real comeback in recent years. We are seeing new target groups in showrooms, and young families in particular are choosing the caravan more often again.
Marjolijn Wegkamp, Chair of BOVAG
Chance is not only in July and August
The figures cover exclusively January through June. This is precisely why they are interesting for campsite owners.
The record is reached before the Dutch summer holidays have well and truly begun. This indicates that campsite operations can increasingly no longer be viewed solely around July and August.
For entrepreneurs, this may be a reason to take a closer look at the spring, holiday packages, camper guests, short stays, and target groups traveling outside of school holidays.
The figures do not indicate that every campsite automatically benefits. Regional differences, the type of campsite, and the ratio between tourist and permanent pitches remain significant. However, they do show that the European camping market is structurally at a higher level than ten years ago.
More information
Source: KCI and BOVAG Caravan and Camper Companies, analysis of Eurostat data, provided on 30 September 2026.
More information: BOVAG and Camping & Caravan Fair.