Gas cylinders from Repsol (orange) and Cepsa (silver-grey) are widely used in Spain. They are provided under a deposit system and come in various sizes \u2013 6 kg butane cylinders and 12.5 kg cylinders for butane or propane are common. The regulated price per refill ranges between \u20ac16 and \u20ac19, plus a deposit of \u20ac20 to \u20ac50 for the cylinder.<\/p>\n
To officially purchase a Spanish bottle, a deposit contract (“X-Poliza” or “Contrato”) is often required. This may involve a technical inspection of the gas installation, costing an additional \u20ac70 to \u20ac120. For tourists, this process is often inconvenient. In practice, many campers report that cylinders are readily available at petrol stations, gas depots or campsites \u2013 sometimes even without formal registration.<\/p>\n
One thing is crucial: Spanish bottles have different connectors from German ones. We’ll cover this in detail below, but in Spain the so-called clip-on connector is particularly common. Suffice to say: without the correct adapter, German LPG systems cannot be connected to Spanish cylinders.<\/p>\n German campers face a clear restriction: brought-along gas cylinders cannot officially be exchanged or refilled in Spain. Refilling portable cylinders is explicitly prohibited under Spanish standard UNE 60670.<\/p>\n Although some travellers report unofficial refilling options at small depots or workshops, these lie outside legal regulations. Such practices are not recommended, as they involve safety risks and could lead to problems with insurance or authorities in the event of damage.<\/p>\n The safe option is to use an LPG gas tank cylinder for the stay in Spain or to rely on a local Spanish bottle. Those travelling longer distances are better off with a permanently installed LPG tank, as it can be refilled at the numerous LPG filling stations in the country.<\/p>\n Spain has a well-developed network of autogas filling stations. More than 500 stations are available nationwide, and in coastal areas and along major travel routes they are spaced every 50 to 100 kilometres. In rural areas, however, it is advisable to plan ahead. Useful tools include apps such as “myLPG.eu” or special autogas maps showing current locations.<\/p>\n LPG is usually referred to in Spain as “GLP” or “Gas LP”, and sometimes as “Autog\u00e1s”. Campers should be familiar with these terms to recognise refuelling opportunities. The DISH system is typically used at filling pumps. If using a different connector (e.g. ACME or bayonet), a suitable adapter is needed.<\/p>\n Many campers report positive experiences in practice: filling fixed gas tanks or gas tank cylinders generally works without issues, often with assistance from filling station staff. Misunderstandings occasionally arise when staff assume LPG is only for vehicle engines. In such cases, it helps to politely explain that the gas is for heating and cooking in the motorhome \u2013 or to use a self-service station instead.<\/p>\n To ensure smooth gas supply, the right accessories are essential. In Spain, so-called clip-on connectors are standard. These differ significantly from the threaded gas cylinder valves used in Germany. Spanish bottles have a ball valve without a shut-off function that is only opened by attaching a clip-on shut-off valve. The clip fits onto a collar about 35 mm in diameter and is referred to in the standard as G.56 (“Jumbo-Clip”).<\/p>\n Standard Repsol and Cepsa bottles \u2013 both butane and propane \u2013 use this clip-on system. The difference lies only in the contents and labelling, not the connector. Butane bottles are usually orange, propane bottles often grey with a blue ring or black marking. Both types require the same adapter.<\/p>\n Technically, the valves also have internal threads (M27\u00d72 for butane, M20\u00d71.5 for propane). However, these are not directly accessible, as they are part of the valve system. What matters for campers: without a clip-on valve, no gas will flow. This valve \u2013 called “regulador salida libre” in Spain \u2013 is clipped on and locked in place, and then an adapter for the German connector can be used. The clip-on adapter<\/a> from GOK\u00a0is particularly practical. It has an outlet with the appropriate thread to screw on a pressure regulator with a German KLF connector. This allows campers to safely connect both butane and propane bottles from Spain to their system.<\/p>\n Important: Adapters and regulators should always be installed professionally. Always check that the gaskets in the adapters are present and intact. Also, remember to carry out the mandatory simple leak check:<\/p>\n![\"Spanish](\"https:\/\/www.gok-blog.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Gasflaschen-immer-stehend-betreiben-GOK-Blog.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/span>German gas cylinders in Spain: Exchange and refilling<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>LPG (GLP, Gas LP, Autog\u00e1s): Filling stations and refuelling<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/span>Adapters and connectors: What campers need in Spain<\/span><\/h2>\n