Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about mobile homes — from types and prices to transport, installation, and financing.
The Product
A mobile home is a prefabricated dwelling built in a factory and transported to the installation site. Unlike a traditional building, it is produced in a controlled environment, ensuring consistent quality and much shorter delivery times. They can be installed on private land, caravan parks, agricultural estates or holiday resorts.
Green Village sells several types: static caravans (popular British-style park homes), timber lodges (premium finish, ideal for glamping), chalets and cabins (Scandinavian or alpine aesthetic), container homes (modular builds) and capsule homes (minimalist, futuristic design). Each type differs in size, finish and price.
A new mobile home comes with a manufacturer warranty, modern finishes and no wear. It is more expensive but carries less risk of surprises. A used unit is significantly cheaper and is available immediately. Green Village carries out a technical inspection on all used units before sale and provides a condition report with detailed photographs.
New mobile homes carry a 2-year manufacturer warranty on construction and materials. The steel chassis typically has a 10-year warranty. Some manufacturers offer optional extended warranties. For used units, Green Village offers a 3-month commercial warranty on condition issues not identified in the inspection report.
Yes, for new units you can customise exterior cladding, colour scheme, interior layout, kitchen type, bathroom, heating system and extras such as solar panels or a timber deck. For second-hand units, customisation is more limited but improvements can always be made after delivery. Explore the options on our personalisation page.
Prices and Financing
It depends on type, size, condition and country of origin. In our catalogue right now, used mobile homes start at £6,450 (median £33,750) and new ones at £27,700 (median £110,325); premium lodges and custom models sit above the median. The price listed for your country is the delivered price: transport, installation, customs and import duties are included, and VAT is shown separately on each listing.
Yes. Financing is arranged as consumer credit for home purposes through a credit intermediary registered with Banco de Portugal. Terms vary by installation country, unit value and client profile. Visit our credit page to simulate your financing or contact our team for a personalised proposal.
VAT varies by country: Portugal 23%, France 20%, Spain 21%, Netherlands 21%, Germany 19%, Italy 22%. In some countries, reduced rates may apply for a primary residence — check with your tax adviser. On units imported from the UK, any import duty is already included in the delivered price. Green Village provides full documentary support.
Delivery and Transport
Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price shown for the destination you choose. We handle customs clearance, and transport is insured at 100% of the unit's value, from collection to installation on site.
Units in stock are the fastest to deliver; an imported used unit adds transport and customs clearance, and a new unit built to order adds the build time. The delivery date is confirmed in writing, and Green Village keeps the customer updated at every stage.
We deliver to the destinations listed under "Import to" on the site, including mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, and other European countries and Brazil. For destinations outside continental Europe, transport and customs clearance are organised by Mobile Home Logistic and included in the delivered price. Contact us to confirm your destination.
Installation and Regulation
Rules vary by country and municipality. In Portugal, you can install on licensed campsites, tourist or rural-tourism developments, or land whose PDM (municipal master plan) admits the use — with a licence or prior communication (comunicação prévia) from the council. Spain and France have specific frameworks for leisure residences. We always recommend checking with your local council before purchasing.
For the purchase: identification document (ID card or passport) and tax number. For import: Green Village handles all customs documentation. For site installation: confirm in writing with the local council, before buying, whether the use is allowed on that plot and which licence or permit applies. For financing: proof of income and tax return.
Practical Information
Yes. We have physical showrooms in Maia/Porto (Portugal), Ribeirinha (Azores), Vigo (Spain), La Séguinière (France, by appointment) and Jundiaí (Brazil). Some units have a 3D virtual tour available on the website. To book a visit, use the form at /fale-conosco.
Mobile homes can be insured as removable dwellings or as high-value movable property, depending on the insurer and country. In Portugal, several insurers offer specific policies covering fire, storm, third-party liability and theft. We recommend getting quotes from at least 3 insurers before delivery.
Mobile homes require simple periodic maintenance: annual check of seals and joints (to prevent leaks), painting or treatment of exterior timber cladding every 2–3 years, heating and gas system check before winter, cleaning of drainage and gutters. Steel structures should be inspected annually for corrosion in coastal environments.
More questions
Prices vary by country, age, size and condition: used UK-origin units in good condition are the most affordable, new entry-level models come next and new premium lodges sit at the top of the range. Each listing on the Green Village catalogue shows the delivered price for the destination you choose, with transport, customs and installation included and VAT shown separately; for a firm figure, request a written quote at /fale-conosco.
A mobile home is a larger prefabricated dwelling (typically 6–20 m long) built on a steel chassis, while a tiny house is generally smaller (under 6 m), often on wheels with a more rustic aesthetic. Mobile homes offer more living space (1–4 bedrooms), cost less per square metre and have clearer planning regulations across most European countries.
Yes, modern mobile homes are designed for permanent residential use. Current models feature wall insulation of 40–100 mm, double or triple glazing, and central heating (gas or electric). Many units meet BS 3632 (UK residential standard) or EN 1647 (habitation standard). In southern Europe (Portugal, Spain), year-round living is especially comfortable given the mild climate.
A mobile home loses value fastest in its first years and more slowly after that, and a well-maintained unit keeps a good share of its value. Key factors affecting resale are condition, manufacturer brand (ABI, Willerby, Atlas command premium), location and size.
Requirements vary by country. In the UK, mobile homes on licensed caravan sites generally do not need planning permission. In Portugal, on a licensed campsite, check with the park how the installation fits within the park's licence; on your own land, a mobile home installed on a permanent basis needs a licence or a prior communication (comunicação prévia) under the RJUE, depending on the zone and the PDM — being removable does not exempt it. In France, a mobile home on wheels may only be sited on an authorised campsite, PRL or classified holiday village; on private land the wheels must be removed and a déclaration préalable (up to 20 m²) or a permis de construire (above) obtained. In Spain, installing one requires an urban-planning licence (STS 1917/2024). Always check with your local authority.
Modern mobile homes include 50–100 mm EPS wall insulation, argon-filled double glazing and gas central heating with radiators. Annual heating costs range from €600 to €1,500 depending on climate and size. Adding solar panels (2–4 kW) can reduce energy bills by 50–70%. Some manufacturers now offer EPC-rated units achieving C or B ratings.
In most European countries, placing a mobile home on agricultural land is subject to conditions. In Portugal, it depends on the PDM: only where the land class admits the use (rural tourism, campsite, tourist development) and always with a licence or prior communication; on RAN land construction is prohibited except for the uses listed in article 22 of Decree-Law 73/2009, with a binding prior opinion from the regional RAN body (article 23), and on REN land except for the compatible uses in annex II (article 20 of Decree-Law 166/2008). In France, agricultural or natural zones only allow it through a STECAL defined by the commune in its PLU for demountable residences used as a main dwelling, or on an authorised campsite; without a STECAL it is an infraction. In the UK, agricultural workers' dwellings may qualify under planning rules. We recommend consulting your local planning authority.
Mobile homes come in three main categories: Single (one-section, 3–4 m wide × 6–12 m long, 1–2 bedrooms), Twin (two-section, 6–7 m wide × 10–20 m long, 2–4 bedrooms) and Special (over 20 m, with delivery planned case by case). Green Village has over 1,000 models in the catalogue at /catalogo, filterable by size, bedrooms and price.
Choose new if you want full customisation, the manufacturer's warranty and latest finishes. Choose used if you have a tighter budget, need quick delivery and accept some cosmetic wear. Green Village inspects all used units and provides a condition report with photographs — view each unit's status in the catalogue.
Glamping (glamorous camping) combines outdoor living with the comfort of a fully equipped dwelling. Mobile homes are ideal for glamping businesses, offering full kitchens, private bathrooms and climate control. Green Village supplies units to tourism operators and quotes multi-unit orders at /fale-conosco.
Costs vary by unit dimensions, origin and season. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic and included in the delivered price shown on each product page, with transport insured at 100% of the unit's value from collection to installation; the exact figure is confirmed in the written quote. Green Village quotes transport per unit and includes it in the final price — request a written quote at /fale-conosco.
Yes, provided you comply with local short-term rental regulations. In Portugal, register the unit as Alojamento Local (AL) with the câmara municipal, which notifies Turismo de Portugal. In France, registration with the Mairie is required. Income depends on location, season and occupancy. Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com and Glamping Hub accept mobile home listings.
Mobile homes can be installed on: concrete blocks (€500–€2,000, most common), reinforced concrete slab (€2,000–€5,000, more permanent), piles or stilts (€3,000–€8,000, ideal for sloped sites) or directly on the steel chassis with levelling jacks (temporary). Green Village advises on the best solution for your site; placing, levelling and connecting the home are included in the delivered price.
Modern mobile homes are designed to withstand wind, rain and snow, and many recent chassis are hot-dip galvanised for corrosion resistance. For windy or coastal locations, ground anchoring systems with steel tie-downs are available. In southern Europe, the climate is generally favourable, but anchoring is recommended in Atlantic-exposed areas.
Typical annual costs include: electricity and gas €600–€1,500, insurance €200–€500, preventive maintenance €300–€600, site fees (if applicable) €1,200–€3,600, and water/sewage €200–€400. Total annual costs range from €2,500 to €6,600, significantly lower than an equivalent conventional dwelling.
A mobile home is built on a steel chassis with wheels (transportable intact), while a modular home is assembled from individual modules on site. Mobile homes are faster to install, easier to relocate and more affordable. Modular homes offer greater architectural flexibility and can be classified as permanent construction.
Traditional mortgage lending generally does not apply to mobile homes as they are classified as movable property. Financing is arranged as consumer credit for home purposes through a credit intermediary registered with Banco de Portugal: the reference simulation uses 10% nominal (11.8% APR) and terms of 24 to 120 months; the deposit and final conditions are set by the credit institution. Simulate your options on the Green Village credit page or contact the team for a tailored proposal.
Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price, as are customs clearance and installation on your plot (placement, levelling and connection to the existing water, power and sewer points). The delivery date is confirmed in writing.
A thorough inspection should cover: steel chassis (corrosion, deformation, weld quality), floor structure (walk every room for soft spots), roof (leaks, stains, gutter condition), plumbing (test all taps, check pressure), electrics (sockets and consumer unit), gas system (certification and leak check) and windows/doors (seals and operation). Green Village provides a professional condition report with all used units.
Yes, factory production generates up to 50% less material waste and up to 35% fewer CO₂ emissions compared with traditional construction. Many manufacturers use FSC-certified timber, recycled insulation and low-VOC paints. The option to install solar panels, rainwater harvesting and low-flow fixtures makes them compatible with off-grid or low-impact living.
Green Village Mobile Homes is an online marketplace for mobile homes in Europe — over 1,000 listings across 17 delivery destinations, with the site available in 8 main languages. Delivery and installation are included in the price shown for your destination. Browse the full catalogue at /catalogo or request a free quote at /fale-conosco.
Importing a static caravan from the UK to Europe involves: selecting a unit (Green Village has over 1,000 listings), transport (organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and included in the delivered price), customs clearance (any import duty on units from the UK is already included in the price) and installation on your plot. Green Village handles the entire process, from collection to installation.
Delivered prices in our catalogue currently start at £6,450 for inspected used units in good condition, with transport, installation, customs and import costs already included. A static caravan advertised below €10,000 elsewhere usually leaves those costs out, so compare delivered prices. Browse affordable options in the catalogue at /catalogo and filter by price.
The total cost includes the unit price, transport (included in the delivered price), customs clearance (any import duty on units from the UK is already included) and installation. VAT applies at the destination country rate (Portugal 23%, Spain 21%, France 20%, Netherlands 21%). Each listing shows the delivered price for the destination you choose; for an exact figure, request a written quote at /fale-conosco.
Did not find what you were looking for?
Our team responds in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and Dutch. We are available Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 6 PM.