In Germany the "single overnight stay to RECOVER THE FITNESS TO DRIVE" is permitted, unless a ban on mobile homes is explicitly 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 - an absolute no-go. It is also advisable to "arrive" as late as possible and to continue early the next day. The respective laws of the individual federal states apply here, please observe them very carefully.
This provision for interrupting the journey also applies in principle to Belgium. Here you are allowed to park for a maximum of 24 hours, but unfortunately in reality there are many parking spaces with the corresponding prohibition signs.
Especially in France, but also in Austria, Poland, Italy and the Switzerland the law is confusing. Wild camping is only permitted there with the permission of the authorities. In addition, many regions and even places have their own regulations.
In the Austrian regions of Tyrol and Vienna, free standing with the camper is completely prohibited. This also applies to the Swiss regions of Ticino, Graubünden, Geneva and Vaud. Wild camping is strictly prohibited in nature reserves, on lake shores, in forests and in national parks.
Unfortunately in the Netherlands and also in Luxembourg the rules very strict. Since free standing is not allowed anywhere, there is actually only one officially designated parking space or campsite.
Also in Denmark and Finland free standing is only permitted on private property.
In Sweden and in Norway it looks completely different again. There, the so-called Nordic “EVERYONE’S RIGHT” applies, which states that nature belongs to everyone, including the country’s guests. How can it be otherwise, certain rules apply here as well. Staying at a place outside of official places is limited to one night here. Forest paths, pathless terrain and nature reserves may not be driven on. Even if there are restrictions here, I would describe Sweden and Norway as a camping paradise.
Also in Estonia, and Lithuania you can spend a night outside of built-up areas at any time
On Iceland Wild camping or free standing with the camper is officially forbidden. If you are not in a national park or a nature reserve, standing free for a night is tolerated.
In Great Britain there are regional differences. Basically, however: wild camping with the camper only with permission.
In Scotland an appropriate distance of at least 15 to 20 meters to a public road is mandatory. No one should be disturbed or hindered by you and you should get the landowner's okay. Then you can stay overnight.
In England and Wales the rules are stricter again. Many of the car parks have signs specifically forbidding overnight parking.
In Spain However, there is no national regulation, free standing is only permitted with permission. The safest and completely stress-free for you is to actually visit the official pitches.
In Portugal Wild camping with the camper is strictly forbidden. Here you may see surfers on beaches that are tacitly tolerated.
You can completely forget about standing freely with your camper in the following countries:
Czechia, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Hungary. Free standing is absolutely forbidden here.
Even if you have permission from the landowner, your camping itself is considered illegal.
Did you know that in Romania and Belarus Camping is permitted without restriction.
Please never endanger and disturb nature if you have the possibility of wild camping.
We think we all take it for granted that we don't leave any rubbish or leftover food behind, that we stay on the paths and avoid areas of use. Our common goal should be that the parking space looks as if we had never been there after leaving it.
