Wild camping – what does that mean exactly?
Wild camping is the overnight stay of people in mobile accommodation such as caravans, mobile homes or tents, away from designated pitches and campsites. Even if the legal situation is relatively difficult, you face really high fines.
Wild camping in Germany
The question of whether you can stay overnight in a mobile home, caravan or tent in Germany cannot be answered so clearly.
Every federal state in Germany has its own rules for wild camping.
In Germany, "single overnight stays to RESTORE PHYSICAL FITNESS TO DRIVE" is permitted unless a very explicit ban on mobile homes is signposted. In concrete terms, this means that if you feel too tired to continue driving, you can rest until you can continue driving. No longer! As a rule, a maximum service life of 10 hours is assumed here. But put the chairs out and extend the awning - no way! It is also advisable to "arrive" as late as possible and to continue early the next day.
In general, in all federal states, wild camping is prohibited in nature reserves and water protection areas, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and landscape conservation areas.
Here is an overview of the regulations of the individual federal states for you:
Baden-Württemberg
Wild camping is generally prohibited.
Bayern
In Bavaria you need the consent of the property owner. In addition, camping on federally owned waterfront properties on the Main, Main-Danube Canal and Danube is also strictly prohibited.
Berlin
Similar laws apply here as in Baden-Württemberg. Local authorities may make exceptions.
Brandenburg
Only hikers, horseback riders and water hikers are allowed to set up a tent in the open countryside for one night. However, not on private land.
Bremen
Since Bremen has hardly any undeveloped areas, there is no forest law here. But that doesn't mean that wild camping is allowed there.
Hamburg
Camping and parking vehicles and trailers in open landscaped areas or in forest areas is only permitted with the special permission of the owner.
Hessen
Here, too, the permission of the land or forest owner must be available.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Wild camping - whether with a tent or a camper van - is prohibited here.
Lower Saxony
Wild camping is also generally not permitted in Lower Saxony.
Nordrhein-Westfalen
Wild camping is also generally prohibited here. Unless you have permission from the property owner or a public authority.
Rheinland-Pfalz
With the permission of the forest owner, a tent may be set up in the forest. Wild camping is generally not permitted.
Saarland
Wild camping is generally not permitted. If you have permission from the forest owner, you can set up a tent in the forest.
Saxony
Here you also need the permission of the forest owner if you want to spend the night in the forest. Camping in the open countryside is not permitted.
Saxony-Anhalt
With the permission of the forest owner, you can camp and wild camp in the forest.
Schleswig-Holstein
Under the name "Wildes Schleswig-Holstein" you will find 20 official overnight places in nature. Wild camping is not permitted outside of these sites.
Thuringia
In Thuringia you also need the permission of the owner or the responsible authority.
In conclusion, it can be said that wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany.
Since wild camping is a misdemeanor, you could be fined if you don't follow the rules.
You can find beautiful pitches and campsites in every federal state. Look around for them in good time, especially in the summer season these can already be fully booked. There are various apps to help you find accommodation, many of which are free.
