It seems like yesterday that I stepped onto a plane and headed out to Ibiza to start my next adventure in life. What a fantastic 3 months it has been too. Lots of fun times in the sun and through the night and I've made a host of great new friends on the island, and from around the world. Ibiza does seem to bring the warmth out of people.
As you may recall it was my intention to set up a BraziBay rental company on the island. I've always thought it was the perfect location to tour in a Kombi, beautiful scenery, smooth road surfaces (mainly) and as the island isn't that big, you can do so at a relaxed pace.
Unfortunately the Balearic Government disagree! It was only once I'd started to meet people on the island and discuss my plans that I became aware of how Spanish Law can make life quite difficult. At the beginning of this year a new law was implemented (but not substantiated in writing it seems - which is the norm) that regulates the use of all Spanish registered campervans to having just 2 persons onboard whilst travelling. The reason for this is they claim that the folding rear seat (having not been designed by Volkswagen) is not safe for use when the camper is on the move. This information has been cascaded to the local Police and if they see more than 2 people in a camper travelling, they have the authority to stop it, fine the driver and immediately seize the vehicle. From a renting point of view this is a disaster as it instantly cuts down the market to hire to families and groups.
Aside from that clanger, the lack of European Certificate of Conformity for the Kombis was going to make things difficult. There were potential ways around it but there were no guarantees.
Further, I was going to import the 2 Kombis I have via what's known as Change of Residence. This is significantly cheaper than via the Unitaria (IVA) process. The only criteria was that I needed to have owned the vehicles for 6 months prior to import. Which wouldn't have been an issue. However what I hadn't been told until very recently was that should I import the vehicles under Change of Residence, then I would not be allowed to use them for a commercial enterprise for 2 years. Should I want to use them prior to that, then they would have to go in via Unitaria at a cost of around 3500 Euros each plus I would have to pay 16% of their value in import duty.
So I thought I'd tackle this another way and run the rental company as a British business and simply have the campers in Ibiza for the summer season. That way they'd not have to comply with the new occupant laws and I'd save myself a load of cash by keeping them British registered. I'd simply run them down to the island at the end of May and bring them back in October. However a meeting I had last week with a car specialist, who is based on the island, and with no vested interest in protecting any of the current businesses in Ibiza, reckoned this would run into problems very swiftly. Essentially I would be running a commercial operation but without the Spanish authorities gaining from it. They don't like that. The last thing I want is to wreck someone's holiday after they've paid me their hard earned and then it all gets stopped half way due to regulations.
So I've returned to the UK for now obviously disappointed that the hire business won't work out, but optimistic that a new venture is out there for me. Hopefully one that will enable me to spend more time on the island that I do regard as a second home. I met so many folk out there that have a job that they can do remotely, or one that they do throughout the winter here in the UK that it enables them to live in Ibiza for a good proportion of the year, it was very encouraging.
With 2 campers to my name I've decided that they ought to earn their keep anyway. There will be a new BraziBay Rental Company on the scene from the new year: vwbusforhire.co.uk - Max and Tango will be the pioneering Kombis. I'm still having a Spaceroof fitted to Tango to make him a 4 berth and he'll stay LHD as that will enable him to be suitable for continental rental.
Right now I'm enjoying some time away from shift work. I haven't been off for both Christmas and New Year for many years and I'm looking forward to enjoying the festive season to the 'Max.'
Also I've decided to make my experience with BraziBays work for me. If you're reading this as a prospective owner and would like my assistance in sourcing and scrutinizing a Kombi, then drop me an email tim@brazilianvwbay.com
