Motorhome parking and overnight stay law takes effect in Portugal

At around 1:00 pm on Friday the 18th, a motorhome was completely destroyed by fire on the A13 in Portugal, near the Alvaiázere exit. Flames spread to nearby brush, but firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. Traffic in the northbound direction was restricted to one lane. The Alvaiázere fire brigade and the National Republican Guard (GNR) attended the scene.

Fernando and Ana, retirees in Spain, have lived for about three years in a 27-year-old Fiat Ducato Maxi motorhome they call “La Vaca”. According to their account, leaving their house eliminated fixed costs for water, electricity, condominium fees, garage and home internet. They carried out a wall repair themselves over five months at a cost of 1,631 euros, including exterior painting; Fernando said professional painting alone would have cost more than 3,000 euros. The couple admitted they had never calculated their expenses in detail but say they now have money left at the end of the month. According to INE, the median rent for new lease contracts in Portugal reached 9.46 euros per square metre in the first quarter of 2026, while the median price of transacted homes was 2,337 euros per square metre.

Law 66/2021, amending the rules on parking, overnight stays and stopping of motorhomes, was published in Diário da República and enters into force on Wednesday. Outside protected areas, overnight stays are allowed for motorhomes certified by IMT for a maximum of 48 hours in the same municipality. Overnight stays and parking are prohibited in Natura 2000 areas, protected areas and coastal management plan zones, except at expressly authorised locations. Where municipal regulations exist, they apply.

Portugal offers opportunities for motorhome travel in September and October, particularly in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. The country has official motorhome stops and campsites with electricity, drinking water and waste disposal. Wild camping is prohibited in Natura 2000 areas and certain coastal zones; outside such areas, without stricter municipal rules, a maximum stay of 48 hours in the same municipality applies.

At a Leiria municipal council meeting, PSD councilwoman Luísa Gonçalves raised the future of the Praia do Pedrógão campsite and highlighted issues with maintenance, cleaning, lighting and security. After visiting the site, she acknowledged storm damage but said that several months later problems affecting usability remain.

A road accident involving two passenger cars and a motorhome occurred on National Road 18 (EN18) at kilometre 273 in the Beja–Évora direction. Seven people were injured; five were taken to Espírito Santo Hospital in Évora, while two were treated at the scene. The response involved 27 personnel and 12 vehicles from Évora firefighters and the National Republican Guard. Traffic on that section of the EN18 was restricted and later resumed.