Wild camping and free overnight stays in Germany

Yes, one night to restore fitness to drive on public car parks, unless signs prohibit it (ADAC). Camping behaviour is not allowed. In Schleswig-Holstein, sleeping on a public car park is an offence unless it serves, en route, to restore fitness to drive (OLG Schleswig, 15 June 2020).

The night is for driving on rested – it is part of the journey, not of the holiday. Several nights at the holiday destination are, according to ADAC, unauthorised special use; the OLG Schleswig looks at whether the overnight stay serves, en route, to restore fitness to drive.

Not on public car parks: several nights at the holiday destination count as unauthorised special use (ADAC). That is what stopovers and campsites are for – always green on Place me.

In Schleswig-Holstein, motorhomes may only be set up and used on sites licensed for that purpose (§ 37 para. 1 LNatSchG). The same applies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (§ 28 para. 1 NatSchAG M-V); the one-night exception applies only to non-motorised hikers with a tent. In Lower Saxony, setting up motorhomes and staying in them in open country outside licensed campsites is not permitted (§ 27 NWaldLG); within built-up areas the federal rule applies.

ADAC names camping behaviour and several nights at the holiday destination as unauthorised special use without listing criteria. In neighbouring countries, chairs, awnings and levelling jacks count as camping behaviour (Switzerland: TCS; France: circular of 19 October 2004). If you only sleep in the vehicle, you are parking.

In Schleswig-Holstein, sleeping on a public car park is an offence (OLG Schleswig, 1 Ss-OWi 183/19); our sources give no fine amounts. Nationwide, ADAC speaks of unauthorised special use for camping behaviour or several nights.

On the Place me map: official stopovers and campsites from OpenStreetMap are always allowed; for car parks the state rule applies, otherwise the federal rule. The “Legal” filter hides red places.