Traveling to Greece by motorhome via the Balkans: routes and new regulations

Greece has relaxed parking restrictions for motorhomes up to 7.5m in length, allowing unlimited parking in residential areas. Setting up camping equipment remains banned, with fines from €300. The change follows a decline from 50,000 motorhome tourists in 2024 to just 5,000 in 2025.

Authorities and residents in Platanias, Crete, are facing illegal camping in the bed of the Iardanos River. Campers moved their tents and motorhomes to the opposite bank after eviction attempts, which local activists call a mockery of the law in the protected Natura 2000 area. Questions are raised about the legality of the vehicles and the environmental damage from garbage and wastewater.

Almería is putting up physical barriers to keep motorhomers off its former fairground — while Turkey simply evicts them from the beach. Lightship is quadrupling its electric-caravan factory in Colorado, even as 50% of Italian motorhome renters turn out to be under 35. Plus 800 kg of hashish in a motorhome at the Spanish border, Anker's 800 W charger running off the alternator, and Carstay as the mobile HQ of a Tokyo festival — all in this issue.

In February 2026, the Greek police issued a directive clarifying rules for motorhomes. They are now treated as regular vehicles: parking is allowed anywhere unless prohibited, but wild camping remains banned. The new rules resolve uncertainty from previous strict regulations and high fines.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

All4Bus and Dammler introduce the Torsus Savage 4x4 motorhome on a MAN TGM 4x4 chassis. The 8.7-meter model features a 285 hp diesel engine, 35 cm ground clearance, and can ford 60 cm of water. Price: €550,000.