Buy a Mobile Home — The Complete Guide [2026]

By Matheus Agueda · 18 September 2026

Last updated: 2 October 2026

What is a mobile home and why buy one?

A mobile home is a factory-built dwelling constructed on a steel chassis and transported to a prepared site. Unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar construction, a mobile home can be installed in days rather than months, moved to a different location if needed, and purchased at a fraction of the cost of a conventional house.

In 2026 the European mobile home market is at its most dynamic in a decade. Rising traditional property prices, more favourable legislation for recreational and residential use, and dedicated financing products have made mobile homes an increasingly mainstream choice — whether as a permanent residence, a holiday home, a tourism investment (glamping, holiday lets) or a flexible housing solution.

Green Village is a European end-to-end operator: we source the unit, transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, manage customs clearance and deliver to your site, fully installed — with a delivered price that includes transport, customs clearance and installation; VAT is shown separately on each listing. No hidden costs.

What types of mobile homes are available?

The umbrella term "mobile home" covers several distinct product types, each with different sizes, insulation levels, intended use and price points:

• Static caravan — the most common type in the UK second-hand market. Built on a single chassis (10–12 m long, 3.0–3.7 m wide) or as a twin unit (up to 20 m × 6.1 m). Designed primarily for seasonal use (April–October). Two to three bedrooms, open-plan living/kitchen. The best value-for-space option for a holiday home. Used units from the UK start from EUR 12,000.

• Park home — a residential-grade evolution of the static caravan, built to BS 3632 standards for year-round habitation. Thicker insulation (100–150 mm vs 50–75 mm), double glazing, central heating with radiators or heat pump. Twin units up to 120 m² with 3–4 bedrooms. The choice for permanent living.

• Lodge / chalet — premium units, often timber-framed with high-end exterior cladding (cedar, thermowood, composite). Generous glazing, integrated verandas, contemporary design. Ideal for glamping and premium holiday lets where nightly rates of EUR 100–250 justify the higher investment.

• Glamping pod / capsule — compact, design-forward units (15–30 m²) for tourism. Lower capital outlay, higher per-m² nightly return. Popular in Portugal's Algarve and Alentejo, France's PRL parks and Italy's agritourism sector.

• Modular / container home — factory-built modules that can be combined. Larger footprint possible, but heavier and more complex to transport. A different product category that overlaps with prefabricated construction.

How much does a mobile home cost in 2026?

Indicative price ranges across the European market in Q3 2026:

Prices depend on age, condition, brand, size, insulation level and specification. UK-manufactured brands (Willerby, ABI, Swift, Carnaby, Pemberton) dominate the European second-hand market. Green Village catalogue prices are final delivered prices — transport and customs clearance included; VAT is shown separately on each listing.

Average price appreciation in 2026: 6–8% for new units, 10–14% for used (driven by limited supply in the entry segment and lower transport costs).

How to buy a used mobile home: advantages and what to check

Buying used saves 40–60% compared to a new equivalent — a 10-year-old Willerby or ABI in good condition offers excellent value. Key inspection points:

• Chassis — check for rust, deformation, broken cross-members. The chassis is the structural backbone; serious corrosion = walk away.
• Floor — soft spots indicate water damage or delamination. Walk every room.
• Roof — sagging, water stains on ceiling panels, state of gutters and flashings.
• Windows and doors — do they seal properly? Condensation between double-glazed panes = failed seals.
• Damp — use a moisture meter on all external walls and around windows. Readings above 20% need investigation.
• Gas and electrical systems — last inspection certificate date. UK units use Gas Safe certificates.
• Plumbing — run all taps, check water heater, inspect under sinks for leaks.

Brand quality hierarchy (UK): Pemberton and Carnaby (premium) > ABI and Swift (mid-to-upper) > Willerby (volume, good value) > Atlas, Cosalt (entry level). Brand significantly affects resale value — a Pemberton retains value 15–20% better than a same-age Willerby.

Green Village offers an inspection service: detailed photographic report, moisture readings and structural assessment before purchase — so you can buy with confidence without travelling to the UK.

Where to buy a mobile home: dealers, parks and import

Three main sourcing channels:

1. Specialist dealers — the UK has the largest stock of used mobile homes in Europe. Dealers in Yorkshire, the Midlands, East Anglia and the South-West hold hundreds of units. Green Village sources directly from UK dealer networks and private parks.

1. Holiday parks — parks in France, the Netherlands and the UK periodically sell units when upgrading. These can be excellent value: well-maintained but cosmetically dated.

1. Direct import via an end-to-end operator — the most practical option for buyers in Portugal, Spain, France or Italy. Green Village handles sourcing, inspection, transport, customs and delivery. You choose from the catalogue; we deliver to your site.

The advantage of an end-to-end operator: one contract, one price, one point of contact. No coordinating between multiple providers.

Transport and delivery: how does your mobile home get to you?

Transport organised by Mobile Home Logistic — Green Village's logistics division organises transport between the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France and destinations across Portugal, Spain and the rest of Europe.

Green Village catalogue prices include transport and installation to your site. See prices in the catalogue.

Legal requirements and regulations by country

Mobile homes are moveable structures, but in the main European markets that does not exempt a unit installed to stay from planning control; even on a licensed park, check what the park's licence actually covers (in Spain it does not replace the municipal licence, STS 1917/2024):

• Portugal — a licence or a prior communication (comunicação prévia) to the local câmara under the RJUE, depending on the zone and the PDM; being removable does not exempt it. No IMI while the unit is not entered in the matriz predial, but one lived in permanently can be registered and taxed (CIMI art. 2.º, n.º 3). Rural land (terreno rústico) is more restricted: on RAN (National Agricultural Reserve) land, construction works are prohibited except for the uses listed in article 22 of Decree-Law 73/2009 (for example a farmer's own permanent home on the farm, or rural-tourism developments complementary to farming), and any non-agricultural use that needs a licence or prior communication requires a binding prior opinion from the regional RAN body (article 23); on REN (National Ecological Reserve) land, construction and extension works are prohibited (article 20 of Decree-Law 166/2008) except for the compatible uses in annex II, which are exempt or subject to prior communication to the CCDR.

• France — the most detailed regulation in Europe (2M+ units installed). A mobile home that keeps its wheels is a résidence mobile de loisirs: it may only be sited in an authorised camping, PRL or classified holiday village, with no individual permit needed there. On private land, even buildable land, the wheels must be removed and a declaration prealable (<20 m²) or a permis de construire (>20 m²) obtained; on non-buildable land it is prohibited whatever the duration.

• Spain — since the Supreme Court ruling STS 1917/2024 (5 December 2024), a mobile home is equated to a prefabricated house under art. 11.4.c of the Ley de Suelo (Real Decreto Legislativo 7/2015) and needs an urban-planning licence in every Comunidad Autonoma, including inside a licensed campsite (whose activity licence does not cover it). Contact the local ayuntamiento before buying. IVA 21%.

• Netherlands — recreatieparken are the simplest route, but permanent habitation of a recreation home is only allowed if the gemeente's omgevingsplan permits it. On a residentially zoned plot, a chalet used as a dwelling needs an omgevingsvergunning from the gemeente; check the omgevingsplan via the Omgevingsloket before buying.

• Germany — varies by Bundesland. A Mobilheim connected to utilities is a building under the Bauordnung: a Baugenehmigung is required on own land in practically all Länder (§§34/35 BauGB). On an approved Campingplatz it is usually verfahrensfrei within the site approval, but using it as a main residence (Dauerwohnen) there is not permitted unless the Bebauungsplan expressly allows it.

• Italy — Testo Unico Edilizia governs. Camping areas most straightforward. Private land requires SCIA or permesso di costruire depending on municipality. IVA 22%.

• UK — well-established park home system. Site licensing follows the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, with residents' rights under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 as amended in 2013. Planning permission is needed on separate or bare land; a static caravan in your own garden as ancillary accommodation needs neither permission nor a site licence. Council tax applies.

Financing a mobile home: what are the options?

Mobile home financing is typically a personal loan (not a mortgage), because the unit is a moveable structure, not real estate. Key parameters:

• Interest rates: set by the credit institution
• Terms: 24 to 120 months (10 years maximum is standard)
• Minimum amount: typically EUR 5,000
• Down payment: 10–30% recommended; some lenders finance 100%

Alternatives to bank loans: dealer financing (Green Village offers payment plans on selected units), private lending, peer-to-peer platforms, or leasing arrangements for tourism investments.

For tourism projects (holiday lets, glamping, AL in Portugal), some banks offer dedicated investment finance with the projected rental income supporting the application. Calculate your monthly payment with our budget tool.

Installing a mobile home on your site

Once delivered, installation involves:

1. Site preparation — level the ground, compact the base. Options: gravel bed (cheapest), concrete pads/blocks, steel pile foundations (for slopes or soft ground).
2. Positioning — the unit is positioned by Green Village's team. Access must be wide enough (minimum 4 m for a single unit).
3. Utility connections — water supply, electrical connection (typically 32A single-phase for a standard unit), sewage/drainage, gas (if applicable).
4. Skirting — enclose the base for aesthetics and to prevent animals nesting underneath while maintaining ventilation.

With Green Village, positioning and connection to the utility points already on the plot are included in the delivered price shown in the catalogue. What stays the owner's responsibility, organised with a local contractor, is land preparation where the plot needs it (platform, access road, supply points up to the connection point) plus optional extras such as skirting and a deck or veranda — costs vary by plot and are confirmed in your written quote.

Checklist: 10 steps to buying a mobile home

1. Define your purpose — holiday home, permanent residence, tourism investment or rental?
2. Set your budget — the catalogue price already includes transport and installation; add any owner land works and optional extras. See prices in the catalogue.
3. Choose your site — check zoning, access (minimum 4 m wide), utility availability, orientation.
4. Select the type — static caravan, park home, lodge or pod based on your purpose and budget.
5. Choose the unit — browse the Green Village catalogue or request a custom sourcing brief.
6. Inspect — use our inspection service or visit in person. Check chassis, floor, roof, damp, systems.
7. Confirm financing — personal loan, payment plan or own funds. Get pre-approval before committing.
8. Sign and pay deposit — Green Village holds the unit and begins transport planning. Typical deposit: EUR 2,000–5,000.
9. Transport and customs — we handle transport booking, customs clearance and delivery. You receive tracking updates.
10. Delivery and installation — unit arrives, is positioned and connected to utilities. Walk-through inspection. Move in.

The time from selection to installation depends on origin, destination and transport route.

Ready to start? Browse our catalogue or contact us for personalised advice.