🇬🇷 Greece — OpenVan.camp

Staying inside a legally parked motorhome, including overnight, does not by itself violate the camping ban. This is stated in a letter from the Greek police headquarters dated 7 July 2026, issued in response to a request from the Greek motorhome association. Additional signs of camping or use of public space outside the vehicle are decisive. The clarification follows the 2025 amendment to camping legislation, which had caused uncertainty among motorhomers.

Greece has updated rules for motorhomes and caravans since 2025. Parking and camping are treated separately: on a legal parking space, awnings, tables and chairs must stay inside the vehicle, and violations of camping rules can incur a fine of 300 euro. Motorhomes longer than 7.50 metres may not park continuously in the same place within built-up areas for more than 24 hours. In May 2025 the Greek Ministry of Tourism clarified that motorhomes may park where the traffic code allows.

A motorhome carrying a family of three, including a young boy, overturned on the Athens to Lamia national road. The crash happened on Saturday shortly after 11am at the 155.5 kilometre mark near the Livanates interchange, in the direction of Lamia. The 59-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle under unclear circumstances, and the motorhome left its lane and overturned on the carriageway. The driver and the two passengers got out of the vehicle without serious injury and declined hospital treatment. A special crane vehicle was needed to remove the motorhome, and traffic towards Lamia was temporarily diverted through the Livanates side road and back onto the motorway via the Arkitsa interchange. The authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident.

A motorhome carrying a family of three, including a young boy, overturned on the Athens to Lamia national road. The accident occurred shortly after 11:00 on Saturday at kilometre 155.5 near the Livanates interchange, in the direction of Lamia. The 59-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle under unclear circumstances, and the motorhome veered off course and overturned on the carriageway. All three occupants managed to exit the vehicle without serious injury and declined hospital treatment, although an ambulance attended the scene.

A motorhome overturned at the 155th kilometre of the Athens to Lamia motorway near Atalanti. Everyone on board, including a 10-year-old child, was unharmed, but traffic was disrupted.

A motorhome carrying a family of three, including a 10-year-old girl, overturned at the 155.5 kilometre mark of the Athens to Lamia motorway. All three got out without serious injury and traffic was diverted.

Eugene Braidel has lived since 2018 in a motorhome about 4 meters long that folds flat. He installed four flexible solar panels with a total capacity of up to 400 watts, each weighing less than 2 kg, and since September 2019 has visited 48 states and 284 national parks. Braidel notes that knee and back problems make him question how much longer he can continue the nomadic lifestyle.

TrailerHome by NIKITAS has introduced a caravan designed for autumn and winter operation. The model features advanced thermal insulation panels, double energy-efficient glazing and enhanced sealing, maintaining a stable interior temperature with minimal energy consumption. The caravan is positioned for year-round living or tourist rental.

On Wednesday, a fire broke out in the engine compartment of a motorhome traveling on Egnatia Odos toward Ioannina while inside the Agia Anastasia tunnel. The fire was out before firefighters arrived; no injuries.

Karavania, founded in 1987, showcased its activities at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair. Owner Nikos Chatzidimitrakis said the city's tourism growth has positively impacted the motorhome and caravan market, increasing interest and activity. The company deals in sales, rentals, accessories, and spare parts, and operates a service center on the road to Chalkidiki.

Greek TV presenter Sakis Tanimanidis shared his experience of living in a motorhome during a trip to Canada. He highlighted practical challenges such as waste management, water conservation, and limited space, as well as difficulties finding parking in popular spots. He rated the comfort of this lifestyle 4 out of 10 and noted that the total cost was higher than traveling by car and staying in hotels. Nevertheless, he gave the overall experience 8 out of 10 due to the connection with nature.

A foreign couple traveling in a motorhome has been staying for several days at Anavros, one of the busiest spots in Volos. They parked their motorhome in the area, swam in the Pagasetic Gulf, and used local shower facilities. Residents and beachgoers noticed the unusual choice of accommodation within the city.

A gathering of motorhomes at the coastal site “Metaxas Columns” near Fanari in Rhodope has sparked complaints from residents and bathers about prolonged stays, beach occupation, and use of shared showers with detergents. Police clarifications state that simple parking and overnight stays inside the vehicle without external equipment are legal, while violations involve setting up awnings, furniture, or connecting to external utilities. The legality of the stay depends on the zoning of the dirt strip: if it falls within the beach zone, parking is prohibited. The lack of organized camper stops with electricity, water, and waste disposal is also highlighted.

An illegal campsite was set up in early July in the forest near the village of Seli in Imathia, where campers used gas cylinders for cooking and lit fires. According to the president of the Seli community, Giorgos Farsarotos, there were over 50 tents and makeshift structures, with more than 300 people, and no sanitary facilities, running water, or lighting. Most campers left after warnings from the forestry service and the municipality of Naousa, but the president calls for the area to be cleaned and measures taken to prevent a recurrence.

Authorities in Veroia and the local forestry service dismantled an illegal campsite in the mountainous area of Seli, Imathia. Motorhomes and tents were removed from the site, which had been used for several years without permission. The operation followed complaints from residents about noise and unauthorized structures, including cooking facilities and cleared land.

Bulgarian reality TV stars Sami Hosny and Mila Savova spent the summer in a caravan in Greece, at a campsite near the resort of Nea Iraklitsa, close to Kavala. Hosny, a fitness instructor of Egyptian descent, and his wife, known from the show 'Survivor', chose this type of vacation for its simplicity and family time. They emphasize that the caravan is their home, not a compromise.

In 2025, overnight stays at campsites and motorhome pitches in the EU reached 413 million, up 28.5% from 2015, compared to 23.4% growth for hotels. Greece, despite its natural potential, underuses this segment: Law 5170/2025, while expanding opportunities for glamping, simultaneously imposes bans on motorhome parking and tent pitching in certain public areas with a fine of 300 euros, creating a lack of legal infrastructure.

EU camping nights hit 413 million in 2025 (+28.5% vs 2015), while Greece accounts for under 1% of tourist flow. Authorities lack a dedicated camping strategy.

On Monday afternoon, on the Pyrgos–Kyparissia national road in Ilia, after Krestena, heading towards Zacharo, an SUV towing a caravan veered off the road and overturned on an embankment. Firefighters from the Krestena unit freed the couple, who were then taken by ambulance to Krestena General Hospital.

On Monday afternoon in Kato Samiko (Ilia), a car towing a caravan left the road and overturned. Tourists were trapped, at least one person injured.