Wild Camping in Europe: Vanlife Rules by Country

Quick comparison

Fines and details are below and on each country page. Everything was checked in October 2026; rules change, so look at the date and the sources.

The parked vs camping rule

Across Europe, the most useful rule of thumb is: stay parked, don't camp. Keep everything inside the van, don't extend levelling legs or awnings, and never empty water or waste outside a service point. That is what separates a legal overnight stop from a fine in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

Country by country

Spain

In Spain, sleeping inside a motorhome or campervan that is legally parked counts as parking, not camping (DGT instruction PROT 2023/14: "parking is not camping"). Setting up outside the vehicle is camping (acampada), which regional and municipal rules restrict, especially on the coast and in protected areas.

Full Spain guide →

France

In France you may sleep in a motorhome or campervan parked where parking is legal ("stationner"). Putting out an awning, chairs, a table or levelling wedges turns it into camping ("camper"), which can be fined, and mayors can ban motorhome parking locally with signed municipal orders.

Full France guide →

Portugal

Under Portugal's Highway Code as amended by Law 66/2021, motorhomes may stay overnight (21:00–07:00) for up to 48 hours in the same municipality outside protected zones, unless the municipality has its own rules. Overnight stays and parking in Natura 2000, protected areas and protected coastal zones are banned except at authorised places.

Full Portugal guide →

Italy

Under Article 185 of Italy's Highway Code, a motorhome parked where parking is allowed is not camping if it rests only on its wheels, emits nothing but engine exhaust and takes no more space than its footprint. Stabilisers, awnings or chairs make it camping, which towns can ban by ordinance.

Germany

Wild camping is generally not allowed in Germany, but a single overnight stay in a vehicle where parking is legal is widely tolerated "to restore fitness to drive" (about one night). Setting up chairs, an awning or a table counts as camping. Rules for nature areas are set by each federal state.

United Kingdom

In England and Wales there is no general right to wild camp, and overnight parking is controlled by council orders and car-park rules, while sleeping in a vehicle is not illegal in itself. In Scotland, access rights cover people on foot, bike or canoe but not motorised vehicles.

Full United Kingdom guide →

Norway

Norway's right to roam (allemannsretten) covers people on foot and tents, not motor vehicles. Sleeping in a motorhome is generally accepted where parking is legal and not signed otherwise, at least 150 m from houses and cabins and never on farmland or by driving off-road.

Full Norway guide →

Sweden

Sweden's right of public access (allemansrätten) does not cover driving or parking motor vehicles in nature: the Swedish EPA says motorhomes, caravans and rooftop-tent cars may not be parked in forests, on beaches or on pasture. You may stay along roads and in parking areas where it is allowed, and at rest areas usually for up to 24 hours unless signed.

Full Sweden guide →

Croatia

Croatia's Hospitality Act bans camping outside campsites and designated areas, and overnight stays in town car parks, on beaches, in forests and in national parks are commonly fined, especially in summer on the coast. A rest break at motorway rest areas is generally tolerated.

Greece

Camping outside licensed campsites has long been prohibited in Greece, especially on beaches, in forests and at archaeological sites. A 2025 law first limited motorhome parking to 24 hours and was then relaxed; as reported, motorhomes under 7.5 m may park in built-up areas without a time limit, but setting up outside campsites is still prohibited.

Netherlands

Wild camping is not allowed in the Netherlands, and each municipality sets its own rules in its local bylaw (APV). Sleeping in a vehicle on public streets and in ordinary car parks is generally prohibited, so use camperplaatsen and campsites.

Low-emission zones

Many cities restrict older vehicles: Crit'Air in France, the Umweltplakette in Germany, ZBE zones in Spanish towns over 50,000 people, ZTL zones in Italian historic centres, milieuzones in the Netherlands, ULEZ and Clean Air Zones in the UK. Check before driving into a city centre.