The Greek Ministry of Tourism has announced that campervan and trailer owners are now restricted to parking only in officially licensed campsites facilities that comply with strict health, safety, planning, and environmental regulations.
This crackdown, aims to put an end to the rampant, unauthorised use of public lands, including forests, coastlines, archaeological zones, and other communal areas by motorhomes and trailers.
These measures reinforce long-standing laws that already prohibit the placement of tents or campervans in ecologically and culturally sensitive locations such as beaches, heritage zones, forest perimeters, and public commons. Private individuals and business owners are also barred from hosting more than one campervan unless they are officially registered as a licensed camping facility.
In cities and towns, further limitations apply. The law forbids the continuous parking of motorhomes, trailers, or boats in public areas for more than 24 hours. Any extended stay must occur within designated, enclosed spaces managed by municipalities or local authorities.
While the directive allows for the temporary free parking of a single campervan for hosting purposes, any extended or repeated use now requires formal business registration. This rule targets illicit operations that skirt regulations and threaten the viability of law-abiding campgrounds.
The ministry defended the directive, asserting that it enforces principles that should be self-evident in a well-regulated society, namely, the protection of hygiene, public safety, cultural heritage, and environmental integrity.
Officials argue the crackdown brings Greece in line with other nations, such the US, UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Czech Republic that are implementing new travel bans targeting motorhomes, that refuse to tolerate the exploitative misuse of public land, often at the expense of local communities, protected ecosystems, and historical sites.
Campers have reacted to the crackdown, advocating for a petition to ban the van.
Campers’ reaction to the campervan ban.