Is it legal to sleep in your car in Spain?

The Spanish road traffic law (Instrucción 08 / V-74) says in broad terms: you can park (and spend the night) in your car (camper) but you are not allowed to camp on public roads.



People Also Ask

No, you are not legally allowed to wild camp anywhere in Spain. But yes, there are plenty of designated parking places where you can park a Camper and overnight in it for free and in accordance with the law. Just be sure to look for any prohibition signs or you may receive a hefty fine!

MORE DETAILS

The Spanish road traffic law (Instrucción 08 / V-74) says in broad terms: you can park (and spend the night) in your car (camper) but you are not allowed to camp on public roads.

MORE DETAILS

Similarly, camping on public beaches is forbidden. You're allowed to have a nice little nap on the sand during the day, of course, but staying on the beach overnight is illegal. Trying to sleep on the beach after dark when bathing hours are over could result in a €1,500 fine.

MORE DETAILS

Hayley Spurway finds some of the best free camping locations across Spain and Portugal.
  • Las Rozas, Cantabria.
  • Playa Valdevaqueros, Andalucia.
  • Praia do Rostro, Galicia.
  • Playa Traba, Galicia.
  • Esteiro, Galicia.
  • Frexulfre, Asturias.
  • Praia Odeceixe, Portugal.
  • Costa de Almograve, Portugal.


MORE DETAILS

You can park anywhere as long as it's not forbidden. Car camping is allowed in most European countries, except Slovenia that fines heavily sleeping in the car outside of the designated (and very expensive) spots.

MORE DETAILS

In general, I'd say that around 23h on working days and around 1am on non working days (or much later if you have the luxury of going out with some friends. In that case it'll probably be around 7am, or after some chocolate con churros). When it comes to children, they go to bed around 21:30h.

MORE DETAILS

All across Spain, beaches are cracking down on visitors smoking. Hundreds of seaside destinations already prohibit lighting up and more bans have been introduced this year across the country's islands and mainland. On the Balearic Islands, 28 beaches have brought in smoke-free zones.

MORE DETAILS

Like much of Europe, wild camping in Spain for motorhomes and campers is 'tolerated' in many places but not strictly legal and it's certainly not a right. Many people seem to think they can turn up and park wherever they want, but this is not the case.

MORE DETAILS