Are you planning a road trip through Greece with a camper van? Be aware: as of 2025, Greece has a new law that limits where campers can park or stay overnight. Law 5170/2025, effective from January 20, 2025, prohibits camping outside of official sites. In simple terms, you can no longer just pull over and sleep anywhere with your camper.
Many camper travellers used to park in beautiful spots in nature — for example, on a beach or near a forest lake. The new law now bans this kind of wild parking to protect nature and cultural heritage.
What does the new law say?
The new Greek camper law bans wild camping and unauthorised parking of campers. You are not allowed to set up a tent or park your camper in public places like beaches, coastlines, forests or archaeological sites. Parking in national parks or public parking lots for long stays is also forbidden.
Even a short stop to enjoy the view or to have a coffee is technically not allowed in these areas. However, short breaks at highway rest areas are generally permitted, so you can still take a rest during your drive.
The law also addresses private land. It is not allowed to host more than one camper on private property for free. If someone wants to accommodate several campers, they would need to register as an official campsite.
Summary: where not to park or sleep in your camper
You are not allowed to stay overnight (or even stop for a break) with your camper in:
- Beaches or sand dunes
- Forests and nature reserves
- Near archaeological sites
- Supermarket or shop parking lots
- Town/village parking areas or parks
- Coastal roads and viewpoints
- Residential streets (for more than 24 hours)
Note: even short-term parking in these places — without staying overnight — can be seen as a violation. The rule is strict, so it’s best to play it safe.
Why were these rules introduced?
Greek authorities say the law is meant to protect public interest, nature, and cultural heritage. In popular spots like beaches and forests, large numbers of campers were causing concerns about litter, hygiene and damage to the environment.
Another reason is to support official campgrounds. Licensed campsites must meet health, safety and environmental standards. When campers stay for free in the wild, those sites lose business. The new law encourages travelers to use legal camp facilities, ensuring fair competition and standards.
Fines and what happens if you break the rules
If you park or sleep in your camper in a forbidden place, the police can give you a fine of €300. This fine is per vehicle or per person. In very serious cases, you could even go to court or jail, but this is rare.
Police and the coast guard are allowed to check and give fines right away. They can also tell you to leave immediately.
In April 2025, the first fines were already given. One camper was fined €300 for parking on a beach in the Peloponnese. Many travelers didn’t know about the new law yet. But now, it’s being shared more widely — including here in this blog!
Where can you stay?
You are welcome in Greece — as long as you stay in the right places. These include official campgrounds and camper stop areas. Greece has many options, from small family-run sites to full-service parks.
There are also camper stops (called aires or stellplatz) often run by local municipalities or tavernas. Staying on private property is allowed for one camper if the owner agrees. But multiple campers on one property is not allowed unless it’s a registered campsite.
In towns and villages, street parking is generally allowed for up to 24 hours as long as you follow the local rules. Just don’t set up your camping gear outside, and avoid staying too long in one place.
Tips for foreign travelers
Are you travelling through Greece with your camper as a foreign tourist? Keep in mind that these new rules also apply to you. There are no exceptions for campers with foreign license plates, the law applies to everyone.
In practice, this means you’ll need to plan your trip a little differently.
Look for campsites in advance: Check where the campsites or camper stops are along your route. In busy periods, it’s smart to make a reservation so you’re sure of a spot.
Don’t wild camp: As tempting as it may be to sleep on a beautiful beach, don’t do it. The risk of a €300 fine — or even problems with the police, is real.
Use camper apps: Apps like Campercontact, Park4Night or Campy are great for finding legal camper locations in Greece.
By following the new camper law, you avoid stress and fines. And you can fully enjoy all the beauty Greece has to offer in a respectful and responsible way.
What does this mean for Karpathos?
For Karpathos, this new camper law changes a lot. The island currently has no official campsite. Still, every summer, a growing number of camper vans and converted buses make their way here , especially to the kite and windsurf beach in Afiartis. It’s the perfect spot: right by the sea, lots of space, laid-back vibes. And people often stay for days… or longer.
But under the new law, that’s not allowed anymore. Staying overnight in your camper on public land, like a beach or a forest is officially banned. So if you’re parked by the sea in Afiartis for the night, you’re technically breaking the rules and could get fined €300 or asked to leave by the police.
Will they really start checking here? We don’t know yet. Until now, things on Karpathos have been pretty relaxed. But that might change this summer, especially if more people show up with campers.
And then what? With no official site on the island, the question becomes: where do you go? Maybe someone will take this opportunity to create a legal camper stop or small campground. Because clearly, the need is there.
In the meantime, it’s smart to be careful. If you want to stay somewhere, ask a local taverna if you can park on their land (especially if you plan to eat there). Don’t assume it’s fine just because others are doing it. And keep in mind: by respecting the local rules, you help keep Karpathos welcoming for future travellers, and for the people who call it home.
