Legal situation in Europe

Wild camping: you can expect these penalties

Simply settling down somewhere with your camper van, tent etc. is prohibited almost everywhere. But we have researched what is allowed for you.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com - Georg)

Stay wherever you want, barbecue when you're hungry, spend the night wherever you like: yes, a caravan, tent, caravan and the like give you a feeling of complete freedom. But this is limited: Simply parking your vehicle somewhere and setting up camp there is prohibited - and not just in Austria. We have checked out the situation in Europe for you - and alternatives.

Vacations in a motorhome, with a tent or caravan and co. sounds adventurous and is gaining more and more fans: "Even before the pandemic, we noticed that camping in general is becoming increasingly popular," says Tomas Mehlmauer, President of the Austrian Camping Club (ÖCC). And Corona has once again acted as a "boost". The trend in new registrations is moving away from caravan trailers towards motorhomes and camper vans: no surprise, they are easier to handle in urban environments than a vehicle combination of eight, nine meters or more.