Greece Joins US, UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Czech Republic in Cracking Down on Motorhomes With Tough New Travel Bans

Published on May 3, 2025

Greece has officially joined a growing list of countries—including the US, UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Czech Republic—that are implementing tough new travel bans targeting motorhomes. Driven by rising concerns over environmental impact, overcrowding, and unauthorized camping, these nations are introducing sweeping national prohibitions, regional overnight parking bans, and future sales restrictions that collectively mark a global clampdown on freeform motorhome travel.

Greece’s Nationwide Motorhome Ban

Greece’s move to implement a comprehensive national ban on motorhomes in public areas marks one of the most aggressive crackdowns to date. Under the new law, motorhomes and caravans are now prohibited from parking in public spaces such as beaches, parks, forests, and even standard car parks. The regulation also curtails private hosting, forbidding landowners from accommodating more than one motorhome on their property, regardless of consent.

Offenders face steep penalties, including fines reaching €300 and the possibility of serving up to three months in jail. Officials cite environmental degradation, traffic congestion, and pressure on public services as key justifications for the ban. However, the law has sparked widespread concern among rural communities that rely heavily on camper tourism to sustain local economies, particularly during Greece’s long summer season.

Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland: No Tolerance for Wild Camping

Before Greece’s law came into effect, several European countries had already laid the groundwork for strict regulation of motorhome travel.

Across the Netherlands, wild camping and parking motorhomes outside designated areas are completely forbidden under national law. Travelers are required to use designated motorhome sites or licensed campsites. Hefty penalties are imposed on those who park outside permitted areas, making spontaneous overnight stays virtually impossible.

Luxembourg mirrors the Dutch model with a total ban on wild camping. Motorhomes must stay in official areas, and local enforcement often patrols rural zones to ensure compliance. Despite its small size, Luxembourg has adopted one of the most regulated approaches to motorhome travel in Europe.

In Switzerland, the rules are equally tight. Free standing is generally banned, and overnight parking in public areas is forbidden unless clearly marked as allowed. Though the country offers numerous official motorhome spaces, the flexibility often associated with campervan travel is absent, with strict signage and enforcement prevalent across cantons.

Czech Republic: De Facto Ban on Wild Camping

Although the Czech Republic has no formal law explicitly banning motorhomes, wild camping is effectively restricted, with authorities discouraging overnight stays outside authorized camping sites. Travelers are only permitted to stay overnight at designated campsites or authorized pitches. Local police often intervene if motorhomes attempt to park or camp outside these boundaries. The lack of ambiguity in enforcement has led many to consider the Czech Republic as another jurisdiction with de facto bans in place.

United Kingdom: Localized Restrictions Intensify

The United Kingdom has stopped short of imposing a national ban, but local authorities are ramping up enforcement in popular destinations.

In Lancashire, overnight parking between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. is banned along the St Annes promenade and other adjacent roads. Drivers who violate these restrictions can face fines of up to £70. The move was made to address visual pollution, overcrowded streets, and improper waste disposal linked to increased motorhome traffic.

North Yorkshire, covering hotspots like Scarborough, Whitby, and Cayton, is in the midst of an 18-month trial ban. This restricts overnight motorhome parking between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in selected areas. If the trial is deemed successful, the ban may be made permanent. Authorities cite fire hazards, littering, and public nuisance as their primary concerns.

United States: Environmental Rules Signal a Paradigm Shift

Unlike the European bans, the United States has taken a regulatory approach aimed at the future of motorhome travel. While no federal or state authority has enacted a blanket ban on motorhome usage, ten states are leading the charge toward restricting the sale and registration of new internal combustion engine (ICE) motorhomes.

These states include:

• California
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Washington
• Vermont
• Colorado
• Maryland
• New Mexico
• Rhode Island

Under laws like the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, these states are poised to limit ICE motorhome sales starting from 2025 through 2027, depending on the jurisdiction. The goal is to shift toward electric-powered recreational vehicles in line with emissions targets. While current owners can still use and register their vehicles, the rules significantly limit future access to traditional motorhomes in these regions.

Italy: Tourist Regions Enforce Selective Bans

Though Italy does not feature a national ban, multiple regions popular with tourists have rolled out local prohibitions. In areas such as Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast, signage barring overnight stays for motorhomes is becoming increasingly common. These restrictions, enforced by local municipalities, target over-tourism and environmental degradation in heritage zones. Motorhome travelers must now carefully plan routes around officially sanctioned parking areas and avoid spontaneous stops in these iconic locales.

Why the Global Clampdown?

The international tightening of motorhome regulations stems from a convergence of factors:

• Overtourism: Popular destinations face strain on infrastructure, sanitation, and traffic due to high motorhome volumes.
• Environmental Concerns: Waste disposal, pollution, and off-grid camping in fragile ecosystems have prompted stronger rules.
• Resident Pushback: Local communities have expressed frustration with noise, overcrowding, and unauthorized stays.
• Policy Shifts: Many countries are aligning with long-term climate goals, indirectly targeting ICE motorhomes through policy.

Despite their popularity, motorhomes are increasingly being viewed not just as symbols of freedom and mobility, but also as logistical and ecological challenges in heavily trafficked regions.

What It Means for Motorhome Travelers

For motorhome enthusiasts, the shift toward regulation marks a significant departure from the open-road ethos that has traditionally defined the lifestyle. Travelers planning trips through Europe or parts of North America will now need to:

• Rely on official campgrounds and designated sites
• Check local bylaws and signage before parking
• Plan routes carefully to avoid banned areas
• Adapt to electric vehicle transitions in the U.S. market

In Greece, for example, travelers can no longer rely on pulling over near scenic beaches or remote villages. Similarly, in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, motorhomes outside registered parks face stiff penalties. Even in the United States, the transition to electric recreational vehicles may upend the market in less than a decade.

Greece has joined the US, UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Czech Republic in enforcing tough new motorhome travel bans, citing environmental concerns, over-tourism, and the need to regulate wild camping and public space usage.

Looking Ahead

The global landscape for motorhome tourism is shifting toward stricter regulation and more structured travel. Greece’s 2025 legislation underscores a rising global trend, signaling that motorhome tourism must evolve to meet emerging environmental, societal, and regulatory challenges.
As countries join ranks—each with varying levels of restriction—travelers will need to be more mindful, compliant, and strategic in planning future journeys.

Though spontaneity may be on the decline, the allure of the road remains. But the days of unfettered vanlife across scenic coastlines and alpine trails are gradually giving way to a more regulated—and sustainable—model of travel.