Aires, Stellplätze and aree di sosta: overnighting in Europe

Anyone touring Europe in a motorhome will sooner or later see signs with a motorhome symbol: aires de camping-car in France, Wohnmobilstellplätze in Germany, aree di sosta in Italy, áreas de autocaravanas in Spain. The idea is similar everywhere, but rules, facilities and legal status differ from country to country. This overview explains the basic idea and what to check before you go.

Stellplatz, campsite, wild camping

A designated motorhome stopover is a marked place where motorhomes may stay overnight for a short time without it being a campsite. According to the guide by Utopia, German Stellplätze are often free or cheap, sometimes offer toilets, water, power or waste bins, and are meant for short stays; for longer stays a campsite is better. A campsite, by contrast, has pitches, sanitary blocks and a reception and normally allows the usual camping life. Wild camping means staying outside designated places, which is banned or heavily restricted in many countries and regions. Between the two lies ordinary parking: in many places a motorhome may stand like a car as long as it is only parked and not “camping”.

Facilities, filling and emptying

Facilities range from a bare space in a car park to well-kept sites with power, fresh water and disposal. Filling and emptying deserve their own attention: take on fresh water, drain grey water and empty the cassette toilet only at stations meant for it. In Italy a trade-press article gives a fine of 87 to 344 euros for dumping grey or black water on roads and public land. Some places are pure service stations without overnight parking, others offer both; the sign or the site description says which. Whether water, power or disposal cost extra, and whether you need coins, tokens or a machine, cannot be said in general. The same goes for prices: there are no reliable ranges for all of Europe, so check before you go.

Countries at a glance

France: according to the Vendée association of municipalities, a motorhome may park on public roads like a car, also at night, but camping is not allowed. That includes placing wedges, extending an awning or setting out a table and chairs. The mayor may regulate parking by a reasoned order; staying at the same spot is considered abusive after 7 days or a shorter local limit. Italy: motorhomes are treated like cars and may park wherever parking is allowed. Anchoring, discharging waste water, opening doors or awnings and putting out a table and chairs count as camping on public roads, which is allowed only in equipped areas. Spain: according to the traffic authority DGT, as reported by Mapfre, a vehicle counts as parked when it rests on its wheels, emits no fluids or noise and takes no more space than when closed; awnings, chairs and tables are then not allowed; it makes no difference whether people are inside. Liquid spills can aggravate a fine; the source dates from October 2023 and mentions pending rule changes, so check before you go. Portugal: a report by openvan.camp says approved motorhomes may stay overnight outside protected areas for at most 48 hours per municipality; it is banned in Natura 2000 areas, protected areas and coastal zones unless expressly authorised. Municipal rules take precedence; check the Diário da República for the exact entry into force.

Germany: wild camping is not allowed. According to Utopia you may only restore your fitness to drive for up to ten hours, without an awning or camping furniture; Stellplätze set their own rules. Austria: a vol.at report (as of 2020) says free camping outside campsites is largely prohibited, rules and fines differ by federal state, and outside campsites you may only rest in the vehicle until fit to drive again. Details may have changed, so check with the municipality or tourist office. Netherlands: the ANWB writes that overnighting on public parking is generally not allowed, even at spaces for large vehicles; for overnight stays a camperplaats is the usual option. Stays there are often limited to about three days, sometimes 24 or 48 hours, and some operators ask you to register. Belgium: not verified, check before you go.

Etiquette and safety

On a stopover the rule is: park, do not camp. Extend an awning, chairs, a table or levelling supports only if the site rules allow it, keep to the permitted stay, leave no waste water or rubbish, keep quiet and do not block others. On safety, Stiftung Warentest, citing the ADAC, advises against overnighting on unsecured car parks or motorway rest areas in popular tourist regions and recommends motorhome sites or campsites instead. Best leave valuables at home, and doors can be secured additionally from inside. If someone pressures you to get out, for example over an alleged mirror damage, call the police. Household contents insurance often does not cover a break-in to a motorhome, so ask your insurer.

Finding places and what to check

Places can be found through stopover guides and apps with user ratings, through tourist offices and municipalities, and through signs at town entrances. Descriptions may be outdated, so the sign on site counts. Check beforehand whether the place is open and has free spaces, especially in high season; the maximum stay; whether power, water and disposal are available and what they cost; whether your vehicle’s height, length and weight are permitted; and whether the municipality restricts parking or overnight stays there. For legally binding questions, the municipality, the police or the competent traffic authority are the right contacts; this text is not legal advice.

Sources

• Camping-car : stationner ou camper (Maison des Communes de la Vendée)
• Sosta camper: normativa italiana e divieti (SicurAUTO)
• ¿Dónde se puede aparcar una caravana? (Mapfre)
• Lei de estacionamento e aparcamento de autocaravanas (openvan.camp)
• Camper parkeren (ANWB Camping)
• Wildcampen: Regeln und Strafen der Bundesländer (vol.at)
• Mit dem Wohnmobil übernachten (Utopia)
• Einbruch- und Diebstahlschutz beim Campingmobil (Stiftung Warentest)