Wild camping in Germany: tips and regulations

Many vacationers are drawn away from typical campsites and into nature. They want to go wild camping. Unfortunately, German law opposes this desire. Wild camping in Germany is generally not possible. However, there are exceptions. We'll show them to you.

Wild camping is camping outdoors, in nature or in public places. It does not matter whether you pitch a tent or park your camper. As soon as you use a place not explicitly designated for camping for the night, this can be interpreted as wild camping.

If you are traveling with your camper, you are initially allowed to park wherever it is not explicitly prohibited. If your camper weighs more than 2.8 tons, it is not permitted to park with two wheels on the sidewalk. Parking means that you are not staying overnight in your motorhome, but rather leaving it parked to continue driving after a few hours or a few days.

You are allowed to "stay" in your motorhome or camper on public grounds for one day. This overnight break is primarily intended to ensure your fitness for driving. For example, if you have been on the road for many hours and feel tired, you are allowed to take a "restful nap" in your motorhome on a public parking lot for one night. However, this means that you are not allowed to set up camp on the spot or place items like tables and chairs outside. "Staying" is purely functional. There is a general guideline of ten hours. After this time, you should move on to avoid the risk of a fine for “wild camping.”

Infobox: Who owns forests and meadows in Germany? 

In Germany, there is no land that belongs to nobody or to everyone. Therefore, if you set up your tent or your camper without permission on a meadow, in a forest, or on a beach, you are theoretically committing a breach of public peace. For example, forests in Germany are 48 percent privately owned, while the federal states collectively own around 29 percent of the forest area in Germany, municipalities own 19 percent, and the federal government owns approximately 4 percent of the forest.

In principle, it is not allowed to camp wild in Germany. This is usually prohibited by nature conservation or forest protection laws of the federal states. You are allowed to park your motorhome or camper, for example, to go hiking in nature or to take a break, but as soon as you spend the night, the border to wild camping can be crossed. 

If you are caught wild camping in Germany, you will be fined. This can be severe depending on the region. For example, since forests in Germany are often privately owned, you may be charged with trespassing if you camp on someone else's property. 

Even if wild camping is generally not allowed in Germany, the federal states have their own regulations. The strictest regulations are in Bavaria, where you could face a fine of up to 2,500 euros if, for example, you go wild camping in a nature reserve, water reserve or wildlife sanctuary. In Brandenburg, the fine for wild camping is up to 100 euros, but also in Hamburg, the fine can be up to 2,500 euros if you park your camper without permission of the owner on other people's land for camping. In the other states like Saxony or Schleswig-Holstein, the fines range from 10 to just over 100 euros for wild camping. This may not sound so dramatic at first, but if you are caught multiple times, it can be even more expensive.

Even though wild camping is not legally favorable in Germany, there is still an alternative because:

We have tamed wild camping for you!

With our private Hinterland hosts, you can book in advance with certainty, stand amidst nature, and experience the feeling of wild camping. Start your search for private, nature-oriented camping spots in Germany right here on our website or in the Hinterland app. Download it for free from the App Store or Google Play - and let's go for the next unique nature experience!

Your benefits:

1. You can legally camp in the wild and fully enjoy nature during your camping vacation.
2. You will be staying in meadows, forests, or by the lake with kind hosts who provide the space for a small fee.
3. You have the opportunity to explore almost every region in Germany with your camper, away from crowded campsites.

Take a look at which campsite suits your wild camping experience best - here are a few "wild" spots for you:

Fans of wild camping don't have it easy in Europe. The regulations are not always clear. Here's an overview:

Wild camping is prohibited here: France, Portugal, Netherlands. The regulations here are clear, and violations can result in high fines.

It depends on the location: In Italy, Austria, Spain, or Switzerland, there are no uniform regulations. Before you park your motorhome anywhere, it's best to inquire beforehand.

Wild camping is allowed here: In Sweden and Norway, the "Allemansrätten" or "Everyman's right" applies. Camping in nature is consequently more liberal. It is crucial to treat this freedom with respect and, for example, not leave any trash.

In many other European countries, wild camping is officially forbidden, but it is often tolerated. Many municipalities make exceptions, and private individuals offer free camping spots on their properties.

Good news: Up to 30 new pitches are added to our platform every week, and our community is growing! Soon, you will be able to celebrate legal wild camping in countries other than Germany with hinterland.camp!

Wild camping is not allowed in Germany, but you can still spend the night with your camper freely on public land, if it is only for one night and for recreation. But what is possible in any case: camping on campsites of private individuals. And that's exactly why we have tamed wild camping for you and offer you many opportunities in the hinterland to go camping in solitude in nature!