Wild camping in Germany: there is a risk of high fines

Especially in the summer months, when parking and camping sites are almost fully booked everywhere, it may seem tempting to camp in the great outdoors. Whether you park your caravan on the beach, spend the night in the forest with your motorhome, or make yourself comfortable on an open meadow by a lake: wild camping , or "free camping" outside of designated camping or parking spaces, is strictly prohibited. It is therefore always advisable to spend the night at a parking space or campsite.

We provide information about the background, detailed regulations in the federal states and fines for wild camping .

Wild camping: The regulations in detail

Wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany. The main reason for this is the disruption it causes to nature. Camping with a motorhome or caravan in the forest can be particularly damaging to the delicate ecosystem . This applies not only to camping in the forest or in a parking lot, but also to camping by a lake.

Caution : Illegal camping on private property is also prohibited. It's not always immediately clear whether the spot you're aiming for is private property. You risk not only a hefty fine, but also charges of trespassing and a prison sentence of up to one year.

Small exceptions : In some federal states, wild camping is permitted if you obtain permission from the forest owner. However, determining the forest owner is a complex matter. Therefore, it's better to avoid wild camping and book a campsite or parking space instead.

This will be expensive: Fines for wild camping

The amount of the fines for wild camping depends on the respective federal state and whether you're just setting up a caravan or a tent, or whether you're parking or camping with a motorhome. The length of time you're wild camping also plays a role. If you park a motorhome or a tent outside of protected areas, you can face fines of between €10 and €250 , depending on the federal state.

It becomes significantly more expensive if you wild camp in a landscape conservation area or nature reserve. If you are caught and asked to leave your spot, you will often get away with a warning and a small fine. However, if you refuse to leave, it can be very expensive. In some federal states, fines of up to €5,000 are possible. The amount of the fines is regulated in the individual federal states' fine catalogs.

It's therefore much cheaper and less stressful to legally book a pitch at a motorhome or campsite . Heavy fines apply, especially if you not only park your motorhome or camp, but also light an open fire in nature. Here, too, the penalties vary depending on the federal state.

Restoration of driving ability: One night is allowed

While you're allowed to park your motorhome anywhere where there's no explicit ban, you're not allowed to spend the night there. However, there's an exception to this rule if you're able to drive again.

If you're tired from driving, you can rest for a while. However, you can't stay longer than ten hours. A night to recover your ability to drive means you stay in the motorhome, don't unpack your camping furniture, and don't eat a meal outside the motorhome in the parking lot.

Otherwise, an overnight stay can quickly become a special use requiring a permit. Spending several nights in a public parking lot is considered a special use requiring a permit. You are then using the parking space for residential purposes. If you park your motorhome on private property, you need the permission of the property owner .

Overnight stays in Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein for non-motorized campers

In the federal states of Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein, it is permitted to spend a night in nature – however, not with a motorhome or caravan, but only as a non-motorized hiker. The following areas are exempt from this:

- Nature reserves

- National Parks

- National Natural Monuments

You must be legally authorized to do so. There must be no legal regulations that prevent you from spending the night in nature.

The situation is similar in Schleswig-Holstein. There are approximately 20 outdoor camping sites that you can use for one night. The prerequisite here, too, is that you don't have a motor vehicle.

Difference between wild camping and bivouacking

Permitted overnight stays outside of public campsites in the federal states of Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein are not strictly speaking wild camping. You are not allowed to use a motor vehicle there, but only on foot or by bicycle. This is considered bivouacking .

Conclusion: Better to book a pitch

You should avoid wild camping . While some federal states have strict bans on wild camping, the regulations in others are more vague. Either way, wild camping always leaves you in a legal gray area and could potentially result in a hefty fine .

In any case, you'll be on the safe side and certainly more relaxed if you book a pitch well in advance. Stellplatz.info now offers nearly 17,000 pitches across Europe with genuine camper reviews. You can even book many of them directly.