Greece is practically banning campervans

Hi everyone, A new Greek law has just restricted the parking of caravans and campervans to campsites or designated areas. It's no longer possible to stay in a simple parking lot, let alone "wild camping" (I don’t like that term—I prefer free camping!!!). Greek tourism professionals have launched a petition. You can join them by signing it here: https://www.change.org/p/%CF%8C%CF%87%CE%B9-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CE%BB%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B7-%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AC%CE%B8%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%BC%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%87%CF%8C%CF%83%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1?signed=true

Marie Paule

Thanks,

Louis Marie

Hi Marie-Paule,

Given the general outcry over this law, the government has backtracked a bit, and parking in parking lots is now tolerated.

The law was mainly to prevent abuses, like motorhomes setting up chairs, tables, and awnings in parking lots, leaving trash behind, or worse, making fires. It’s a bit silly because, generally, motorhome travelers are the most respectful of nature and never leave anything behind.

Elenitsa

Hi,

Yes, it seems possible to park in a parking lot, but that’s not enough because it doesn’t allow stopping in spots that aren’t officially listed as parking—like where regular cars park. We need to clear this up because Europeans are going to cancel their ferries and turn to countries that are more motorhome-friendly.

Take care, Marie Paule

Anyway, wild camping has always been banned in Greece. So, even in a camper van, you’re not allowed to park—let alone spend the night on a beach, for example.

Hi,

We need to agree on what "wild camping" actually means. Does it mean being inside a campervan? Or setting up accessories like tables and chairs? Every country has its own definition. Spending the night on a beach and spending the night in your campervan in a beach parking lot are two very different things. Either way, the damage is done. Campervan travelers are starting to cancel their ferry bookings and signing the petition. Cheers,

Marie Paule

Hi,

This new law has been in effect for a few weeks now. Has anyone had any firsthand experience with it? Have motorhomes been stopped or fined for not complying with the legislation? We were told there’d be some leniency, so… what’s the reality? Cheers,

Marie Paule

Hi there,

After the widespread outcry caused by this law, the government backtracked.

Campervans and vans are allowed to park IN PARKING LOTS, but not by the beach, at archaeological sites, etc. Basically, no wild camping—but that’s been banned for years anyway.

After that, a police officer really has to come by to give you a fine. So don’t worry—if you don’t wild camp by parking anywhere you shouldn’t, you won’t have any problems.

Have a great day! Elenitsa