Wild camping in a camper van in Europe: everything you need to know
What is wild camping?
Wild camping is when you spend the night in the wilderness without staying at official camping or caravan sites. You simply set up camp wherever you fancy.
Cool:
When you camp in the wild, you can enjoy the beauty of unspoiled nature without being disturbed by noisy neighbours. And you also save on the costs for a camp site.
The only disadvantage? You have to forego a few home comforts. Toilets and kiosks are hard to come by in the wilderness. If you appreciate comforts like this, then you might fare better at a camp site.
Wild camping in a camper van
Wild camping is particularly attractive if you’re in a camper van. Simply load up your vehicle, drive wherever the road takes you and stop at whatever location takes your fancy. In the new California, you’re pretty self-sufficient. You don’t need to spend hours setting things up and packing them away again. The only thing missing is a toilet. And in the Grand California, you even have your own fully-fledged bathroom with a shower and toilet on board. What more could you want?
But watch out: camping isn’t always allowed anywhere and everywhere. The rules differ from country to country and you may also find differences at regional and local level, too.
We can show you whether and where wild camping in a camper van is permitted. We can explain the rules in place in Europe’s most popular destinations: to make sure you have all the information you need before you hit the road. However, because rules can change every now and then, we also recommend researching everything yourself before your departure – just to make sure you’re on the safe side and don’t encounter any nasty surprises when you arrive.
Where you shouldn’t park
Whether you’re in a camper van or not: wild camping is generally banned....
....in national parks/conservation areas.
...on private property without the owner’s permission. You should always get permission from the owner if you want to camp on private property.
...on farm land.
Where is wild camping permitted in Europe?
Scandinavia is a popular destination for campers. This isn’t surprising because something known as “Everyman’s Right” prevails here. This means that camping is permitted in public areas. However, restrictions apply to caravans and camper vans to prevent damage to nature.
In Sweden, Norway or Finland, you normally can’t just park your camper van in the middle of a forest, but you can park it overnight in public parking spaces, at the end of roads or directly next to the beach.
You need to keep a reasonable distance away from houses and respect residents’ privacy. In Finland, keeping away from houses is not just a courtesy but a requirement. Use your own eye line for guidance: there should be no houses in your direct line of sight.
And of course, you always need to leave the area in the same state you found it. So, make sure you take your rubbish with you and dispose of it correctly.
Can you camp freely in your camper van in other European countries as well?
Scandinavia isn’t the only place that allows wild camping. Other countries are open to it, too.
In Scotland, you can park your camper van up overnight provided you are an appropriate distance (15–20 metres) away from public roads. And you need to comply with the rules in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. If you are parked on private property, you need to get the owner’s permission in advance.
In Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, “Everyman’s Right” is not an official rule. However, many places allow you to park your camper van on public property for at least one night.
Is wild camping in a camper van permitted in Germany?
Unfortunately not. Wild camping is not permitted in Germany. The exact rules vary from state to state. As such, what is allowed and what is not allowed also differs.
For instance, the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein make exceptions for campers who aren’t in caravan. If you’re travelling by foot or on your bike, you’re allowed to wild camp in a tent for one night. However, this rule does not apply to conservation areas. Ideally, you should research the rules in advance. Some German states also have hiking camp sites – but only for campers in a tent.
The general rule for camper van drivers is: you cannot simply park your vehicle anywhere or out in nature and spend the night there. However, the exception confirms the rule here as well: if you stop to repair your van after a breakdown or similar problem, you can park for up to ten hours outside of camp sites or parking spaces. But normal camping behaviour is a definite no-no.
Why wild camping is banned in Germany
Wild camping often contravenes state conservation laws or the Federal Nature Conservation Act. While being quiet and calm and disposing of your own rubbish are always well received, they are not enough when it comes to wild camping. Campers destroy nature. In particular, animals are known to run away when people are around. In their urgency, they then seek out somewhere else to live – and no one wants this to happen, which is why certain rules are in place.
But if don’t pick a sleeping spot that is out in nature and instead opt for a residential area, you may disturb local residents with your presence. So, doing everything right can be pretty tricky. So if you are going to upset people or animals by wild camping, we recommend taking your camper van to a camp site if you are in Germany.
Austria and Switzerland
While wild camping is not officially allowed in Austria and Switzerland, it is often tolerated. Before you end up in an unpleasant situation, we recommend seeking out a camp site.
Better safe than sorry.
Countries where wild camping in a camper van is generally banned:
- Italy
- Spain
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Hungary
However, fines in these countries can differ greatly: in Belgium, they are relatively low at around €150. In contrast, Hungary has the highest penalty at up to €1,100. The rest of the countries on the list are somewhere in between.
Other alternatives to camp sites
With camping becoming increasingly popular, a new trend is emerging across Europe. Lots of cities and regions in a number of countries are creating parking spaces for campers, where you can legally stay overnight. The locations are often very good and some spaces even offer amenities such as power, water and washroom facilities. In some countries, these public parking spaces are even much cheaper than a camp site.
If you’re journeying to a particular destination, you can also stop overnight at a motorway service station. However, make sure you do your research in advance to make sure this is permitted in the country where you’re travelling.
Our tip: are you a people person? Then why not play to your strengths and speak directly to the owners of private areas of land. If you get their permission, then you can park up your camper there overnight.
Good planning is key:
avoid any nasty surprises
If you plan your journey well and stay alert while you’re out on the open road, you can save yourself any nasty surprises. Before setting off, research the rules in your country of destination. For instance, check whether there are other legal parking spaces for campers away from camp sites even if the country has a ban on wild camping. You’ll often find this information on websites belonging to national parks or local councils.
While you are travelling, keep your eyes peeled for appropriate information signs.
