Greece restricts vanlife and bans wild camping with new law

Greece has long been seen as a top destination for vanlifers and travelers exploring by motorhome, campervan, or caravan. With its mild climate, diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, it offers everything from coastal routes to mountain escapes. For years, vandwellers enjoyed a relatively relaxed environment in Greece, where overnight parking outside campsites was often tolerated.

However, that landscape changed significantly in January 2025, when the Greek Parliament passed Law 5170/2025, a wide-ranging tourism reform bill that introduced new regulations affecting motorhome and caravan owners. Central to this was Article 27, which explicitly prohibits parking or setting up motorhomes and caravans in most public spaces and adds new restrictions on private property hosting.

The bill, which passed with little public consultation, only began drawing widespread attention in April 2025. That's when three members of the Hellenic Motorhome Club (ELAT) were fined by police while parked in Kato Akrata, a coastal town in the Peloponnese, under Article 27. Their citations, €300 each, were among the first known cases and served as a wake-up call to the whole camper community.

The new rules are a major shift for those used to the freedom of traveling by camper. At the same time, supporters of the law argue that these measures were necessary to address concerns about uncontrolled camping, environmental protection, and urban order.

According to Law 5170/2025, parking or "installing" motorhomes, caravans, and campervans in public spaces is now explicitly prohibited. This includes beaches, forests, parks, archaeological sites, and public parking lots, among other areas. The law makes no distinction between overnight stays and brief daytime stops. In practice, any activity resembling camping or extended parking could be considered a violation.

Restrictions also extend to private property. More than one camper or motorhome is prohibited on private land unless it is part of a licensed camping facility. As a result, informal gatherings or hosting multiple friends with vans are no longer allowed.

The law applies uniformly to all recreational vehicles, from large motorhomes to compact campervans. There are no exemptions based on vehicle size or nationality. Both Greek residents and international visitors are subject to the new regulations.

Penalties are steep. Violators face on-the-spot fines of €300 per vehicle or per person involved. Additionally, infractions are classified as misdemeanors under Greek law, which means they may lead to court proceedings and, in more serious cases, fines or imprisonment for up to three months.

Greece introduced Law 5170/2025 as part of broader efforts to update and regulate its tourism industry. The government cited a number of reasons for adding these strict new rules concerning motorhomes and caravans. According to lawmakers and officials, uncontrolled parking and camping by motorhomes had become a challenge in recent years, especially during peak tourist seasons. Some public areas and protected environments experienced increased pressure from campers staying for long periods, leading to concerns about waste management, environmental damage, and overcrowding.

In addition, local authorities noted the need to support licensed campsites and accommodation providers, who argued that free overnight stays in public areas created unfair competition.

Officials have stated that the goal of the new law is to create clearer rules, ensure better control of tourism flows, and protect sensitive locations. They have emphasized that Greece continues to welcome visitors in motorhomes, provided they use official camping facilities.

The changes brought by Article 27 are highly relevant for various groups of travelers. Owners of traditional motorhomes are clearly affected, but so too are those who travel with converted vans or towable caravans. Anyone who uses a vehicle as a temporary living space falls within the scope of the law.

For vanlifers, who often rely on flexibility and informal overnight parking, this shift represents a major change. Travelers can no longer expect to park overnight by the beach or on the roadside, even without displaying camping behavior such as setting out chairs or awnings. Greek authorities now expect all overnight stays to take place at licensed camping facilities.

Private property offers limited alternatives. It is still allowed for a camper to park at a private home or land plot, but only one vehicle may be hosted. Any gathering of two or more campers on private land is prohibited unless the location is a licensed campground.

While daytime stops in places like supermarket parking lots or rest areas may still occur, the law's language leaves little room for gray areas. Travelers should be aware that even brief stops could potentially be questioned, depending on how local authorities interpret the rules.

As mentioned earlier, the new rules began to be enforced almost immediately. In early 2025, several motorhome owners, including members of the Hellenic Motorhome Club (ELAT), were fined €300 each while parked by the sea in the Peloponnese. Their experience made clear that police and local authorities would actively apply the law, especially in tourist areas.

Reaction to the law has been mixed. The Hellenic Motorhome Club, which represents Greek motorhome owners, expressed concern over the lack of consultation and the severity of the restrictions. The organization has argued that the law threatens a form of tourism that brings benefits to local economies, particularly in rural areas that rely on independent travelers. ELAT has called for the government to reconsider parts of Article 27 and has launched efforts to raise awareness, engage in political dialogue, and potentially pursue legal challenges.

Beyond Greece, European motorhome and camping associations have also taken notice. Some groups have warned that the new rules could deter international visitors and lead to a decline in Greece's attractiveness as a destination for touring vehicles. A petition has been launched calling for revisions to the law, with demands for clearer rules distinguishing simple parking from camping and the creation of more official camper stop areas. On the other hand, some voices in Greece support the regulation. They argue that the uncontrolled parking of motorhomes in public spaces had reached unsustainable levels, especially in popular beach destinations during the summer months. Local residents and tourism businesses have expressed support for measures to reduce congestion and encourage visitors to use formal accommodation options.

For those planning to visit Greece with a motorhome, campervan or caravan, it is important to understand the practical implications of the new law. Staying overnight in public spaces is no longer legally permitted and may result in fines and other penalties. Travelers should plan routes carefully, ensuring that they use licensed campgrounds for overnight stays.

When parking temporarily in public areas during the day, visitors should avoid any behavior that could be interpreted as camping. This includes avoiding setting up tables, chairs or other living arrangements outside the vehicle.

Private property may still offer a legal option for overnight stops, but travelers should remember that only one camper is allowed per property. Gathering with fellow travelers, even on private land, is no longer a safe or legal option unless the location has official camping authorization.

The new law may lead some travelers to reconsider or adapt their plans. Greece remains an attractive and welcoming destination for many, but vanlifers and overlanders should be aware that the legal environment has changed significantly.

Discussions between camper groups and government officials are ongoing, and it remains possible that future adjustments or clarifications may be introduced to address some of the more controversial elements.

Greece's decision to regulate campervan and caravan parking more strictly reflects broader trends seen across Europe. As tourism grows and pressures on public spaces mount, questions of access, sustainability, and regulation are becoming increasingly central. For vanlifers and overlanders, the challenge will be to adapt to these new realities while continuing to enjoy the freedom and adventure that drew them to the road in the first place.

At the same time, the global camper community has an important role to play. Practicing responsible and environmentally conscious behavior, such as avoiding overcrowded spots, minimizing waste, respecting local communities, and staying only where permitted, can help demonstrate that self-contained travel does not have to come at the expense of nature or public order. By setting a positive example, travelers can help protect the right to roam and discourage other countries from adopting similarly restrictive measures in the future.

Greek Government Gazette ΦΕΚ A’ 6/2025 – Law 5170/2025 (Full Text - Greek)

Hellenic Motorhome Club (ELAT) – Official statement on Law 5170/2025 (Greek)

Ekathimerini – “Crackdown on camper van parking stirs summer storm” (English)

Greek Reporter – “Greece Bans Caravan Parking in Public Spaces Under Controversial New Law” (English)