Camping in Eastern Europe
Campsites, rules and tips per country, with links to camping spots on each country page.
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Sleeping outdoors, cooking together and walking barefoot to the shower block in the morning: for us, camping is part of a family holiday. Here you'll find everything we've put together about it.
Compiled and checked by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · sources are given with the text · updated 20 October 2026 · About this site
On each country page there is a block 'Where are you camping?' with campsites and a block 'Discover More' with places we call by name. Below you will find the rule for wild camping per country and a direct link.
Gear
Which tent, gas stove and mosquito repellent?
Camping gear for Eastern Europe
Tent types, gas cartridges per region, light, mosquitoes and ticks (FSME) and sleeping bags, with prices in three price categories.
Rules
Rules, fines and quiet places
What is and is not allowed, by country, with the source.
Rules, fines and quiet places
Wild camping, fines, camper stops and quiet places by country, with sources.
Smoking and alcohol by country
Smoking rules, blood alcohol limits for drivers and drinking in public.
Green labels: Slovenia Green
What does a green label mean at a campsite?
Borders and roaming
Live border waiting times and mobile roaming.
Shop opening hours and Sunday closing
Shops on Sundays in Poland and Slovenia.
Gas: refill or exchange?
Refilling or exchanging a gas bottle according to the ANWB.
Practical tips on the road by country
Emergency numbers, health, money, LPG, winter tyres and child seats by country, with sources.
Emergency numbers and breakdown by country
Emergency numbers by country, the green card and breakdown help in Slovenia.
Health, drinking water and ticks by country
European Health Insurance Card, tap water and tick-borne encephalitis by country.
Money and mobile by country
Currency, card payments, cash and roaming by country.
Fuel and LPG by country
Which LPG adapter do you need in which country?
Winter tyres and mountain passes by country
Winter tyres, snow chains and the Vršič Pass.
Photo: Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0Children in the car by country
Child seats and front-seat rules by country.
By country
Wild camping and campsites by country
Slovenia
Prohibited (wild camping is illegal); since 2026 fines of €100 to €500, in the Julian Alps (including Bled and Bohinj) €500 per person.
Photo: charlottebaines01 · CC0
Croatia
Prohibited outside campsites (including those at households and farms) and designated camping areas, also on private land.
Photo: Artem Kavalerov · CC0
Hungary
Municipalities may have their own bans and tenting is usually not allowed in national parks; choose a campsite or ask locally.
Photo: Christo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Czechia
Prohibited, with strict checks in national parks.
Photo: Zrzek007 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Poland
In Polish forests bivouacking is prohibited outside places designated by the forest owner or ranger; legal overnighting is possible through the 'Zanocuj w lesie' programme. Elsewhere: check on site.
Photo: Aneta Pawska · CC BY 3.0
Slovakia
In the High Tatras (TANAP) camping is not allowed anywhere, except one spot with strict conditions; for the rest of the country: check on site.
Photo: Adrian Tync · CC BY-SA 4.0
Montenegro
Not allowed; choose a campsite.
Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prohibited. Also stay on roads and paths because of landmines.
Photo: Ramirez · CC BY-SA 4.0
Serbia
See the camping rules on the country page.
Photo: Fabian Vendrig · CC BY-SA 4.0
North Macedonia
See the camping rules on the country page.
Photo: Benoît Vicart · CC0
Albania
According to ACSI allowed, but not in national parks, nature reserves and on private property. Ask them on site.
Photo: Tom.whitehead337 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kosovo
See the camping rules on the country page.
Photo: Albinfo · CC BY 4.0
Romania
In protected natural areas camping outside designated spots is an offence (fine of 3,000 to 6,000 lei for individuals); elsewhere: check on site.
Photo: Todor Bozhinov · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bulgaria
See the camping rules on the country page.
Photo: Untravelled · CC BY-SA 4.0
Moldova
See the camping rules on the country page.
Photo: LeraShan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Estonia
Allowed in the countryside, restricted in national parks; RMK has free storage space.
Photo: Egorov.nick · CC BY-SA 4.0
Latvia
Allowed in the countryside and in national parks (sometimes for a small fee); Private reason only with permission.
Photo: Gatis Pāvils · Public domain
Lithuania
Allowed in the countryside and in national parks (sometimes for a small fee); Private reason only with permission.
Photo: Scotch Mist · CC BY-SA 4.0Tips
Good to know
CampingCard ACSI in the low season
In participating seats, you pay a fixed, cheaper price per night in pre- and post-season; Tourist tax comes in, and the valid weeks differ depending on the place.
Source: CampingCard ACSI
Book in summer
In July and August there is hardly any space available on the Croatian coast in Istria and northern Dalmatia; It is also full on the Polish Baltic Sea and in the Carpathians. Make a reservation first.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings
More about camping for beginners
Photo: Stefanocek · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Bring enough gas
There is no camping gas to buy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Romania you can only exchange gas bottles to a limited extent and in Hungary camping gas is often difficult to get.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings
Photo: Captain Crunch · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Simpler than at home
In the Balkans, Romania and the Baltics, campsites are often small and simpler than in Western Europe, but usually have electricity. Read the reviews before booking (our tip).
Source: ACSI Eurocampings
Photo: Николай Семёнов · CC BY 3.0 · all photo credits
Sources
Where this comes from
Wild camping rules read at ACSI Eurocampings on 14. October 2026. Rules change: Check them shortly before departure.
- GOV.UK travel advice: Slovenia
- IUS-INFO: camping fines in Croatia
- Kiskunság National Park: Hungary
- ACSI Eurocampings: Czechia
- Polish police: bivouacking in the forest
- TANAP: camping and bivouacking
- ACSI Eurocampings: Montenegro
- ACSI Eurocampings: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- ACSI Eurocampings: Albania
- Romanian emergency ordinance 57/2007, art. 53
- ACSI Eurocampings: Estonia
- ACSI Eurocampings: Latvia
- ACSI Eurocampings: Lithuania
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you wild camp in Eastern Europe?
It differs per country. In Slovenia wild camping is prohibited; in Croatia it is prohibited outside campsites and designated camping spots. This page lists the wild camping rule for each country with a link. All rules with their sources are on the page about rules and fines. To rules and fines
Where can I find campsites per country?
Every country page has a block with campsites and camping spots, plus a block with campsites we mention by name. The list per country on this page takes you straight there.
I am camping for the first time. Where do I start?
The camping for beginners page has a checklist and tips on choosing a campsite, electricity, sanitary facilities, weather and children. The choosing a tent page covers tent types and tests by ANWB, Stiftung Warentest and ADAC. Camping for beginners · Choosing a tent