Greece Clarifies Motorhome Parking Rules: New Limits and Bans

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.