Τhe Greek Ministry of Tourism issued a public announcement on Saturday, May 3, regarding new regulatory rules for campervans and motorhomes, reinforcing existing legislation aimed at preserving public and protected areas across the country.
According to the ministry, campervan owners are permitted to park only in officially designated camping sites—licensed businesses that meet all health, safety, urban planning, and environmental standards. This move seeks to curb the widespread, unauthorized occupation of forests, coastal zones, archaeological sites, and other shared public spaces by motorhomes and trailers.
The measures fall in line with long-standing laws, which prohibit the installation of tents or parking of campervans in sensitive areas. These include archaeological zones, beaches, shorelines, the edges of public forests, and communal spaces. The law also bans the hosting of more than one campervan by private individuals or business owners unless officially registered as a camping operation.
In urban areas, additional restrictions apply. The continuous parking of trailers, motorhomes, or boats is prohibited beyond a 24-hour period. Longer-term parking must take place in enclosed and designated spaces, as determined by local municipalities or communities.
The announcement also clarifies that free parking of a single campervan (for temporary hosting) is permitted, but any additional use of space for this purpose requires formal registration as a business. This provision is designed to prevent illegal operations that undermine licensed campgrounds operating in compliance with regulations.
The ministry emphasized that the new directive enforces what should be considered a given in any well-governed society: the protection of public goods, such as hygiene, safety, and the natural and cultural environment.
It aligns Greece’s approach with that of other countries that prohibit the exploitative use of public spaces to the detriment of both local heritage and environmental integrity.
