Greece Clamps Down on Motorhome Wild Camping with Strict New Rules
Strict Penalties Targeting Camper Vans Enforced
So long, dream vacations on the road for motorhome enthusiasts in Greece. The country, once known for its lax wild camping regulations, is now tightening the screws. Welcome to the new era of no-nonsense camping rules!
Wild camping, whether with a tent or a motorhome, has been banned in Greece for eons. Yet, until recently, authorities and tourists alike had turned a blind eye to this antiquated law. But those days of blissful ignorance are long past. Greece's authorities have upped their enforcement game, and you better heed their warnings!
From this moment on, motorhomes are forbidden to park in residential areas for more than 24 hours, unless you're at a campsite or a designated parking area. The Greek newspaper "Ekathimerini" and ADAC, a renowned automobile association, have reported this earth-shattering revelation.
Under the newly minted law 5170/2025, setting up tents or parking caravans or motorhomes is generally prohibited at various locations, such as:
- Archaeological sites
- Coastal strips
- Beaches
- Forest edges and forests
Stamp Out the Miscreants!
Transgressions against these new regulations won't be tolerated. Prepare yourself for some hefty fines! For instance, violators face an initial fine of up to €300 per person. But the hammer doesn't stop there—if you contest the fine or flee the scene, fines can skyrocket to €3,000, and you might even find yourself spending up to three months in the slammer. Oh, and did we mention that private property owners are now barred from hosting more than one motorhome at a time?
The objective of these new regulations is several-fold:
- Protect legally operated campsites.
- Ensure public hygiene and safety.
- Prevent the misuse of public space to the detriment of the environment and historical sites.
It's worth noting that wild camping, too, is verboten in Germany, and severe fines are imposed for those who dare throw caution to the wind. Your wallet can take a massive hit, with penalties ranging from €5 to €5,000, depending on the location of the violation and any resulting damage.
So there you have it—time to pack your bags and bid adieu to the days of unbridled wild camping in Greece. Stick to the campsites and designated parking areas, or prepare to dip into that savings account!
[1] ekathimerini.com[2] adac.de[3] ntv.de[4] awi.de[5] Ministry of Tourism, Greece (Regulation 5170/2025)
- Greece, once recognized for its lenient wild camping regulations, is now enforcing stricter rules, especially for motorhome enthusiasts.
- Motorhomes are now prohibited from parking in residential areas for more than 24 hours, unless at a campsite or designated parking area, as per the new law 5170/2025.
- Setting up tents, caravans, or motorhomes is generally forbidden at various locations such as archaeological sites, coastal strips, beaches, and forest edges and forests, according to law 5170/2025.
- Violators of these new regulations in Greece could face an initial fine of up to €300 per person, which can increase to €3,000 if the offender contests the fine or flees the scene, and potential imprisonment for up to three months.
- The primary objectives of these new regulations are to protect legally operated campsites, ensure public hygiene and safety, and prevent the misuse of public space to the detriment of the environment and historical sites.
- Similar Wild camping restrictions exist in Germany, with severe fines imposed for transgressions, ranging from €5 to €5,000, depending on the location and any resulting damage.
