Greece bans motorhomes from parking

CYCLOPATH · May 5, 2025

Has anybody got more news than my quick google search did.
Greece has banned motorhome parking , even in public car parks, with fines of €300 or 3 months in prison.
We were planning on going next week as it used to be very motorhome and free camping friendly.

RedWhiteMonkey · May 5, 2025

It is difficult to find clear information on this but I read it as they have banned "wild camping" so you can only legally use campsite for sleeping/camping. Annoying, but no different to many other countries. I'm sure there will be plenty of places that you can still get away with wild camping if you are discreet about it.

CYCLOPATH · May 5, 2025

Wild camping has been banned there for many years, certainly since 2012.This new law, from January25, bans parking ….parking, not camping….on beaches , by forests, municipal parking lots. Even on private property, only one van is allowed, apart from a designated campsite. I quote..

The strict restrictions for campers became public by chance, when a local police team recently fined with 300 euros each camper owner who had parked and was enjoying fair weather, sun and the sea, at a beach of Achaia, in Peloponnese.

The incident revealed that there is law 5170/2025, voted on January 16 and in force since January 20, 2025, and its specifically article 27 that prohibits:

“The installation of tents and the parking of trailers, semi-trailers and motorhomes (campers) in archaeological sites, seashores, beaches, edges of public forests and in general public areas, as well as the free hosting of more than one caravan by private individuals, without prejudice to article 34 of the Road Traffic Code (law 2696/1999, A’ 57).

RedWhiteMonkey · May 5, 2025

Wow, that seems mad and rather short-sighted from them. I guess that's Greece off the list of places I would drive to.

KevH · May 5, 2025

Much rests on the actual definition of ‘general public area, which will be set out elsewhere in the Act.
For example, is a car park within that definition or not? Certainly street parking probably is.

Hawthorn37 · May 5, 2025

Clearly some of our fellow campervanners / motorhome users have been making a nuisance of themselves. Even in the UK there are effectively no-go areas to park up, especially at the coast and popular tourist spots. It’s a shame, and maybe a lesson to all of us to always behave well when using our Cali’s - even the perception of abusing beauty spots etc can cause resentment and issues in the future.

California Dreamer · May 5, 2025

This type of rule (uk or abroad) is really frustrating for those of us whose cali doubles up as a normal family car! Also if you’re camping on a site near a beauty spot then you can’t visit using your vehicle? Doesn’t make much sense, I can understand a ban overnight but in the day it seems a bit much. Obviously there are people causing a nuisance which is a shame for those who just want to explore and enjoy places without reading all the rules for every single car park we might visit.

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Friendly_Ghost · May 17, 2025

CYCLOPATH said:
Has anybody got more news than my quick google search did.
Greece has banned motorhome parking , even in public car parks, with fines of €300 or 3 months in prison.
We were planning on going next week as it used to be very motorhome and free camping friendly.

Yes no more free camping stay€ 300,— fines. Police is surveillance.

CYCLOPATH · May 17, 2025

The greek motor home club has stood up, as have a lot of little businesses in rural areas.
And dont forget the greeks are not great rile followers.
Im pretty sure if we are as polite and discrete as we always are, we will be fine. Avoid major tourist areas, which we do.
We are goibg to give it a go

TripleBee · May 17, 2025

This isn't really a good plan.
When on holidays, I drive around with the California. Where do I have to park? I can't do everything on foot and by bike from the campsite.
That way, they are chasing away a fair amount of tourist income.
On the other hand, up to 2019, I have never needed to book a campsite. As from 2020, there have been sold too much motorhomes and caravans, meaning, if you don't book a campsite, there is likely not much space left on campsites to come without booking.

Vagophile · May 18, 2025

CYCLOPATH said:
We are goibg to give it a go

Good luck. As you say, Greeks are not good rule followers, more especially in remoter areas (which usually are the best places to visit). There always have been laws relating to motorhome/camper parking, especially near beaches, but this is the strictest and most ridiculous yet. As it has already been enforced in one location, it looks as if some authorities do intend to use it which will ultimately be extremely detrimental to their local tourism.