A new Greek law regulating motorhome use has ignited strong reactions from camper enthusiasts, as the Tourism Ministry defends its stance as “necessary to safeguard public space and tourism infrastructure”. Under Law 5170/2025, the Greek government has imposed stricter restrictions on where motorhomes and campers can park or be hosted. The legislation explicitly bans overnight parking on beaches, forests, archaeological sites, and other public areas, as well as in public or municipal parking lots. Even private landowners are now prohibited from hosting more than one motorhome without a formal business license. Violators face fines of 300 euros per vehicle or person, and repeat or serious offenses may lead to jail time of up to three months. Fines can reportedly escalate to 3,000 euros when prosecuted in court. The Tourism Ministry recently responded to growing public debate with a statement asserting that the new law “simply enforces” what is already “common practice” in other law-abiding countries. “We are protecting public interest and upholding legality,” the ministry stated, highlighting the need to preserve hygiene, safety, and the integrity of Greece’s natural and cultural heritage. According to the ministry, motorhome travelers remain welcome – provided they use licensed campsites that meet health, safety, and environmental standards. It also cited alignment with previous legal frameworks, including provisions from laws passed in 1976 and 2014, which already barred camping and caravan parking in protected or public-use areas. Parking of trailers, motorhomes, and similar vehicles is further restricted by Article 34 of Greece’s Road Traffic Code, which prohibits such vehicles from remaining in residential areas for more than 24 consecutive hours unless parked in designated, fenced areas.A notable clause in the new law allows for the free parking of a single camper on private property, but anything beyond that requires formal business registration – an attempt to curb unlicensed operations that compete with regulated camping businesses. Hellenic Motorhome Club to challenge the law The Hellenic Motorhome Club (HMC), however, has strongly opposed the new measures. The group argues that the rules “unfairly penalize a lifestyle and form of travel embraced by thousands across Europe”. Following a recent incident in Akrata where several motorhome travelers were fined, the HMC called an emergency meeting and is pursuing legal avenues to challenge the law.

A new Greek law regulating motorhome use has ignited strong reactions from camper enthusiasts, as the Tourism Ministry defends its stance as “necessary to safeguard public space and tourism infrastructure”.

Under Law 5170/2025, the Greek government has imposed stricter restrictions on where motorhomes and campers can park or be hosted. The legislation explicitly bans overnight parking on beaches, forests, archaeological sites, and other public areas, as well as in public or municipal parking lots. Even private landowners are now prohibited from hosting more than one motorhome without a formal business license.

Violators face fines of 300 euros per vehicle or person, and repeat or serious offenses may lead to jail time of up to three months. Fines can reportedly escalate to 3,000 euros when prosecuted in court.

The Tourism Ministry recently responded to growing public debate with a statement asserting that the new law “simply enforces” what is already “common practice” in other law-abiding countries.

“We are protecting public interest and upholding legality,” the ministry stated, highlighting the need to preserve hygiene, safety, and the integrity of Greece’s natural and cultural heritage.

According to the ministry, motorhome travelers remain welcome – provided they use licensed campsites that meet health, safety, and environmental standards. It also cited alignment with previous legal frameworks, including provisions from laws passed in 1976 and 2014, which already barred camping and caravan parking in protected or public-use areas.

Parking of trailers, motorhomes, and similar vehicles is further restricted by Article 34 of Greece’s Road Traffic Code, which prohibits such vehicles from remaining in residential areas for more than 24 consecutive hours unless parked in designated, fenced areas.A notable clause in the new law allows for the free parking of a single camper on private property, but anything beyond that requires formal business registration – an attempt to curb unlicensed operations that compete with regulated camping businesses.

Hellenic Motorhome Club to challenge the law

The Hellenic Motorhome Club (HMC), however, has strongly opposed the new measures. The group argues that the rules “unfairly penalize a lifestyle and form of travel embraced by thousands across Europe”. Following a recent incident in Akrata where several motorhome travelers were fined, the HMC called an emergency meeting and is pursuing legal avenues to challenge the law.