We have previously published articles on GoMad Nomad about motorhome travel, both in Greece and in other countries. For example, in this article, you can read about 5 ideal destinations for motorhome travel in Greece. However, the most recent law passed by the Greek government overturns everything we knew about campervanning in Greece and has caused unrest among camper enthusiasts all over Europe. Why? Let’s take a look at what’s going on with campers and motorhomes in Greece!
Table of Contents
What’s going on with Campers and Motorhomes in Greece?
The New Law
To start from the beginning, here’s what the new law (5170/2025) stipulates: According to the new law, “the installation of tents and the parking of motorhomes is prohibited in archaeological sites, seashores, beaches, the edges of public forests, and generally in public spaces, as well as the free hosting of more than one motorhome by private individuals”. Offenders face heavy fines (from €300 to €3,000), and even imprisonment in some cases. It’s worth noting that wild camping has been strictly banned in Greece since 2012.
So what does this new law actually say? In essence, it prohibits parking your motorhome just about anywhere except in organized campsites or camper stops (which do not exist in Greece), even though the vehicle registration classifies motorhomes as private vehicles, with the same rights and obligations as other private cars.
The Practical Impact on Motorhome Travelers
What does this mean in practice? That stopping at a beach, a forest, or a public area- once a dream – is now a nightmare in Greece. This attempt to tighten camping regulations has caused unrest among thousands of campervan travelers across Europe who choose to explore Greece each summer in their motorhomes. In fact, a petition has already been created to collect signatures against the new law, gathering nearly 20,000 signatures in just 20 days.
As mentioned above, there are no specially designated parking areas (camper stops) for motorhomes and caravans in Greece. The only legal option left, after the passage of this law, is to stay in campsites – raising another issue for motorhome owners who wish to visit the country outside the summer season, since very few campsites in Greece remain open during the rest of the year.
Comparison with Other European Countries
But what about other European countries? In France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, wild camping is also prohibited, just like in Greece. However, those countries allow motorhomes to park freely for up to 24 hours in public areas. In addition, unlike Greece, they have thousands of camper stops and specially equipped areas for motorhomes all across their territories.
This is what’s happening with campers and motorhomes in Greece, and it has sparked a wave of reactions among camperists, even prompting motorhome clubs from other countries to issue warnings to their members about the situation in Greece.
Author’s Point of View
If you ask the author, who is himself a fan of this lifestyle and has learned to live and vacation with a motorhome, it’s disheartening to see a country with so many beautiful places to explore, like Greece, pushing away a large group of people who want to visit with their own vehicle. And perhaps, in the end, the issue is not only legal but cultural. The country must learn to coexist with the alternative traveler, offering solutions rather than imposing restrictions. Because respect for nature can’t be enforced with fines – it must be cultivated through education.
