Wild Camping in Germany 2026: Banned, 3,500 Stellplatz
Motorhome & Campervan Guide
Wild camping is banned in most of Germany; only one-night parking, not camping, is tolerated where no local ban applies. But check the 3,500 Stellplatz: free to EUR 15.
Wild camping in a motorhome is prohibited in most of Germany — what is tolerated in some rural spots, where no local ban applies, is a single night’s parking rather than camping. The legal alternative is dense: Germany has over 3,500 Stellplatz, dedicated motorhome parking areas, many with electricity and water, costing anywhere from free to EUR 15 a night.
Your case: Getting between Stellplatz is the rest of the trip — the Germany driving guide has the speed limits, mandatory equipment and low-emission zone rules that apply to your vehicle once it is moving again.
Germany charges no vignette at all, and when the distance-based Lkw-Maut truck toll was extended to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, genuine motorhomes, fitted with a toilet, beds and cooking facilities, were exempted regardless of weight, even past 7.5 tonnes. Licensing is less forgiving: a standard Class B licence only covers motorhomes up to 3,500 kg, and anything up to 7,500 kg needs Class C1, unless the driver passed their test before 1 January 1999 and still holds grandfathered rights.
Motorhome Speed Limits in Germany
Speed limits for motorhomes often differ from car limits, especially for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes:
| Road Type | Motorhome Limit | Car Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Urban areas | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural roads | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Motorways | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
Motorhomes over 3.5t: 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on motorways. Under 3.5t: same as cars.
Wild Camping & Overnight Parking
Prohibited in most areas. One-night parking (not camping) tolerated in some rural areas if no local ban exists.
Germany has over 3,500 dedicated Stellplatz (motorhome parking areas), many with electricity and water hookups. Costs range from free to 15 EUR/night.
Size & Weight Restrictions
Vehicles over 3.5t must use the right lane on motorways where the “no overtaking for vehicles over 3.5t” sign is posted (common on inclines). Genuine motorhomes are exempt from Germany’s Sunday and public-holiday driving ban (Sonntagsfahrverbot) regardless of weight — that ban targets commercial goods vehicles, not vehicles built and used as living space.
Driving Licence Requirements
- Up to 3,500 kg: standard Class B licence (plus a trailer up to 750 kg).
- 3,500-7,500 kg: Class C1 required.
- Passed your test before 1 January 1999? Grandfathered rights (Bestandsschutz) usually still allow driving up to 7,500 kg on the old Class 3 / Class B licence — check the categories printed on your licence.
Gas & LPG Availability
LPG widely available. Gas bottles can be refilled at many stations.
Waste Disposal & Service Points
Service points available at most Stellplatz and many petrol stations.
Toll Roads & Vignettes
Germany has no vignette. There is a distance-based Lkw-Maut (truck toll) that was extended on 1 July 2024 to vehicles over 3.5t, but genuine motorhomes — permanently fitted with living space (toilet, beds, cooking facilities) and used only for private travel — are exempt regardless of weight, even above 7.5t, per the toll authority BALM. Owners of truck-chassis conversions that don’t look clearly like a motorhome from the outside can register voluntarily with Toll Collect to avoid roadside checks and back-billing.
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
| Fire | 112 |
| General | 112 |
Recommended Apps
These apps help you find overnight spots, service points and reviews from other motorhomers:
- Park4Night
- Stellplatz.Info
- CamperContact
More Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Prohibited in most areas. One-night parking (not camping) tolerated in some rural areas if no local ban exists.
Motorhomes over 3.5t: 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on motorways. Under 3.5t: same as cars.
Germany has no vignette. Since 1 July 2024 the Lkw-Maut (truck toll) was extended to vehicles over 3.5t, but genuine motorhomes are exempt regardless of weight — even over 7.5t — as long as the vehicle is permanently fitted as living space (toilet, beds, cooking facilities) and used only for private, non-freight travel. Owners of truck-based or unusual conversions can register voluntarily with Toll Collect to avoid roadside disputes.
A standard Class B licence covers motorhomes up to 3,500 kg (plus a trailer up to 750 kg). For 3,500-7,500 kg you need Class C1, unless you passed your test before 1 January 1999, in which case grandfathered rights (Bestandsschutz) usually still let you drive up to 7,500 kg on a Class B/old Class 3 licence.
Service points available at most Stellplatz and many petrol stations.