Vanlife in Portugal: Motorhome Rules Explained

What changed in 2021

Portugal became famous for easy wild camping, then tightened the rules. A 2020 decree-law (in force January 2021) restricted overnight stays outside authorised places. After pushback, Law 66/2021 (in force 25 August 2021) set the current regime: a default 48-hour overnight limit per municipality outside protected zones, and bans in protected and coastal areas. Overnight means occupants inside the vehicle between 21:00 and 07:00.

The rules in Portugal

• Decree-Law 102-B/2020 (in force January 2021) first restricted overnight stays outside authorised places; Law 66/2021 (in force 25 August 2021) amended it to the current regime.
• Authorised places (motorhome areas, campsites) have no 48-hour limit; municipal regulations override the default.
• No camping behaviour: nothing outside the vehicle footprint, and no emptying of water or waste outside approved points.
• Indicative fines: €60–300, or €120–600 in Natura 2000, protected areas and coastal plan (POOC) zones.

Where to stay legally in Portugal

Áreas de serviço para autocaravanas (about €0–15 a night), campsites and private motorhome parks.

Local names: área de serviço para autocaravanas (ASA), parque de campismo (campsite).

Practical tips for Portugal

• Since 1 January 2025 the former SCUT motorways are toll-free (including the A22 in the Algarve, A23, A24, A25, A4 Marão and A13). Other motorways use electronic tolls: register foreign vehicles with EasyToll or Via Verde.
• The Algarve and Alentejo coasts are enforced strictly, with regular police operations.

Find spots in Portugal

Browse spots in Portugal or the Portugal vanlife page, filter the map by aires, water and dump points, and read recent reviews before you go. Add any good spot you find: it helps the next van.