If you’re planning to visit Sithonia or other parts of Greece this summer with a camper, caravan, or van, it’s essential to be aware of a new law that significantly affects overnight parking and camping.
As of April 2025, Greek authorities have introduced stricter regulations that prohibit overnight stays inside vehicles in public or natural areas, even if no tents or outdoor gear are used.
The law applies across the country, but enforcement is expected to be particularly noticeable in tourist hotspots like Sithonia and Halkidiki, where free camping has long been common.
What the New Law Says
The updated law makes it illegal to:
- Sleep, cook, or stay overnight inside any vehicle (campers, vans, or even cars) outside designated camping areas
- Park overnight on beaches, roadside viewpoints, forests, parking lots, and similar non-licensed spots
- Remain in a vehicle overnight, even without external camping equipment (e.g., tents or awnings)
Penalties may include:
- Fines
- Legal charges
- In more serious or repeated cases, up to 3 months in prison
How This Affects Sithonia
Sithonia is a well-known destination for travelers who enjoy nature and off-grid exploring. Many visitors in past years have chosen to sleep in their vehicles near the coast, particularly in places like:
- Kalamitsi
- Sykia
- Toroni
- Vourvourou
- Forest roads and secluded beaches
With the new law in place, such overnight stays are now illegal unless they are in an official campsite. Local authorities are expected to increase patrols and enforcement during the 2025 tourist season.
Why the Law Was Introduced
The Greek government has explained several reasons for the new regulations:
- Environmental protection: Free campers often leave waste and disturb natural habitats
- Support for licensed campsites: Many operate legally and suffer losses due to wild camping
- Safety and tourism management: Overnight vehicle stays can lead to crowding, fires, and sanitation problems
Legal Alternatives for Camper Travelers
To enjoy your trip without stress, it’s strongly recommended to use licensed campsites. Sithonia offers many excellent options near the sea and in nature, with full amenities like:
- Electricity and water
- Sanitary facilities
- Access to the beach
- Safety and comfort
Some well-known legal campsites in Sithonia:
- Camping Thalatta (near Kalamitsi)
- Camping Armenistis (near Vourvourou)
- Camping Melissi (Sykia area)
- Camping Lacara (north Sithonia)
Check each campsite’s website or call ahead to reserve a spot, especially during July and August.
Final Advice for 2025 Travelers
Greece remains one of Europe’s top destinations for road trips and nature lovers. But with these new rules, it’s important to adapt your travel style and avoid legal issues.
✅ Plan your stops ahead
✅ Use official campsites
✅ Don’t sleep overnight in your vehicle outside designated areas
That way, you can enjoy all the beauty of Sithonia and Greece responsibly and without unpleasant surprises.
Have questions about camper laws in Greece? Drop a comment below or contact us for expert advice!
Dear,
Following your initiative to change the law on campers and all those prohibitions in your country, and as a member of the camper population, I would like to say a few things about the law recently passed in your country.
Greece as a destination is beautiful for a campervan vacation, travels and visits of natural beauty. You are doing yourself a disservice with the new law. You know, when I cross the border as a foreigner, the first expense I have are tolls, then my funds are spent in markets to buy basic things like food and other things. Even on the first day when you arrive at the location, you go to the restaurant. Incidental expenses are also internet card and etc. Now let’s move on to the main thing. We have stationary camping and adventure camping. By stationed I mean all campgrounds registered in your country. But the problem for us citizens is the location itself. What kind of vacation is it to park in a camp where there is rarely space in the season or even if it is somewhere 100 meters from the beach. There is a lot of crowding and noise in the camps themselves, and in my opinion the purpose of vacation is far from realistic. I agree that wild or adventure camping is somewhat of a problem, but I think it’s only about the garbage that the unscrupulous leave in some locations in your country. Believe that a huge percentage of campers with vehicles do not have a problem with prices or costs in your country regarding camping in designated places camp sites, but with accessibility and conditions for a real vacation. It is not a problem for me to pay, I write my opinion 30 or 40 euros to park in the camp. It bothers me that I will be parked far from the beach in a place where the next one will be parked only 1 meter from my camper and where every step in the camp will be heard by at least 4 neighbors. The purpose of camper vans is to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature that was shared when this beauty that you have in your country was created, I mean Greece.
The fact that some try to compare European countries and Greece regarding the law is ridiculous. Greece as a destination and that smile and kindness of the Greek people is incomparable to anything in the world. Gods from Olimp gave you that as a privilege, but also as an obligation towards other peoples, and you have to come to terms with that.
My proposal to you, as one of those who rebelled against this law, is to suggest that we still pay at the border according to the days of stay and according to the location, some kind of tax for visiting wild beaches or free parking, let’s say 20 euros per day. Now normally there should be control. The one who wants to go to the camp should go, the one who wants to go wild will have some kind of sticker as a vignette for how many days. Whoever is caught without a vignette and is parked on a wild beach will be fined. Also, regarding the waste that some unscrupulous people leave at the locations, the same should be sanctioned.
This is a lot to gain. The funds will continue to be spent on restaurants, pump shops and other things throughout the year. Plus, you will have the exact number of entries and huge funds that will come at the entrance to your country by paying free camping payments. You know yourself that there are camping rental shops in your country, just like yours. What is the purpose of a foreigner landing in Thessaloniki airport and renting a campervan for 100eurper day, to go and camping in a camp and paying an extra 40 euros when for that amount of money he can comfortably go to a hotel.
I hope you will change something about this law. My opinion is that huge funds will be poured into neighboring countries like Turkey and Albania if this law remains in force.
Big greetings to you and all 4-wheel privateers. Support for your initiative.
I’m sorry, but I won’t be taking my holidays in Sithonia or Greece anymore: there are many other places where campers are welcome, because they know that they have a positive impact on the economic development of the communities. Keep your Eastern European tourists.