From a legal point of view, you cannot pitch your tent anywhere you like. Join us on a trip around Europe to find out where you can and cannot camp.
We would first like to point out the differences between ‘camping’ and ‘bivouacking’, as different rules apply to these two types of holiday. The main difference between camping and bivouacking is the type of equipment used:
Camping
Location: Camping generally takes place on organised campsites with dedicated pitches. However, you can also go wild camping.
Equipment: Campers often use tents, caravans or motorhomes. Campsites provide amenities such as toilet blocks, showers, water points and sometimes shops or restaurants.
Duration: A stay at a campsite can last from several days to a few weeks.
Comfort: The infrastructure of a campsite offers a certain level of comfort.
Bivouacking
Location: Holidaymakers usually bivouac in the great outdoors, often in the mountains or forests, far away from any infrastructure.
Equipment: Travellers use minimalist, lightweight equipment such as lightweight tents, sleeping bags and camping mats.
Duration: As a rule, stays when bivouacking are rather short and often last only one or two nights.
Comfort: Bivouacking is rudimentary and a certain degree of autonomy is required due to the lack of amenities.
Conclusion: camping is more comfortable and is often done at organised sites. Bivouacking is wilder and more minimalist. Only a few pieces of equipment are used. The holiday location is in the great outdoors. When bivouacking, you usually pitch your tent in one place for one night as soon as the sun goes down. When wild camping, you stay in the great outdoors for several days and often have a vehicle available.
In Luxembourg
For a trip on your doorstep, Luxembourg has 69 campsites with space for 38,000 people. The Ardennes alone has 39 campsites. This means that more than half of the campsites in the country are in this region. There are 20 campsites in the Mullerthal region. The remaining ten sites are spread across the country’s other tourist regions. In 2023, 1.3 million overnight stays were booked at Luxembourg campsites. This represented 37 per cent of all tourist overnight stays.
In Luxembourg, wild camping and bivouacking are prohibited nationwide. Camping is only allowed on the official campsites. However, you can also camp on private property with the owner’s consent.
Guide to wild camping and bivouacking in Europe
Wild camping and bivouacking are very popular with nature lovers and adventurers. However, the rules and regulations for these activities vary widely across Europe. We provide an overview of the regulations in force in each country.
Countries where wild camping and bivouacking are generally allowed
- Norway
Camping in the great outdoors is allowed under the ‘allemannsretten’ (right of access to nature). Campers must simply behave in an environmentally friendly manner and pitch their tents at least 150 metres from residential buildings. - Sweden
The ‘allemansrätt’ allows wild camping for those who behave in an environmentally friendly manner and respect private property. - Finland
According to common law, wild camping is allowed. However, in national parks, pitching tents without a special permit is prohibited. - Estonia
Wild camping is allowed in forests and on public lands. - Scotland
Wild camping is allowed, especially outside urban areas. However, every camper must follow the basic ‘Leave No Trace’ rules.
Countries where wild camping is prohibited but bivouacking is generally allowed
- France
Wild camping is prohibited in national parks and certain nature reserves. Bivouacking is generally permitted for one night between 7pm and 9am, but campers are not allowed to set up camp too close to a residential building. - Germany
Wild camping is prohibited, but hikers’ bivouacs are tolerated in some regions. - Austria
Wild camping is prohibited, except at high altitudes above the treeline. Bivouacking is tolerated in some places with the approval of the local authorities. - Italy
Wild camping is prohibited. Bivouacking is allowed outside of nature reserves if campers only pitch their tent for one night and far away from roads. - Spain
Different rules apply in different regions. Bivouacking is usually tolerated 200 metres from a road and outside of nature reserves. - Portugal
Wild camping is prohibited. Bivouacking is tolerated outside of the high season, especially in rural areas.
Countries where wild camping and bivouacking are generally prohibited
- Belgium
Wild camping is prohibited, but in some regions, such as the Ardennes, there are official zones for bivouacking. - Netherlands
Wild camping is prohibited, but there are some places where you are allowed to camp wild (paalkamperen). - Croatia
Wild camping and bivouacking are not allowed and violators are subject to penalties. - Switzerland
Wild camping is prohibited in numerous nature reserves, but tolerated in the high mountains above the tree line. - Greece
Wild camping is strictly forbidden and campers face heavy fines. - Hungary
Wild camping is not allowed outside of official campsites. - Denmark
Wild camping is forbidden. Bivouacking is allowed in some public forests.
General recommendations for camping or bivouacking in Europe
- Find out locally: different rules apply in different regions.
- Protect the environment: Leave no trace.
- Ask for permission: If you want to camp on private property, you must first obtain the consent of the owner.
- Opt for bivouacking: It is tolerated in several countries rather than wild camping.
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