Camping in Motorhomes within the Belgian territories - Legal or Not?
Exploring Europe in a Motorhome: Navigating the Rules in Belgium
Day 2 of the road trip found the group heading into Holland, but first, they made a stop in Belgium. The group, led by Kathryn Bird, the author of one of the UK's largest motorhome travel websites, had an early start on Day One, and by sunrise, they were on their way.
Upon arrival, the group decided to use the self-service check-in lane for the Channel Tunnel, which proved to be a quicker option than waiting in some of the longer lines. Their destination for the night was still uncertain, as they were unsure about the legality of wild camping in a Motorhome in Belgium.
As it turns out, wild camping in a motorhome is not allowed in Belgium; it is illegal. Motorhomes should stay overnight only in official aires or designated camping areas. To help locate these legal spots, guides and apps exist. Violating these rules may result in fines or warnings.
The group had a narrow escape when they were fined by the police for overstaying their welcome at a wild camping spot. They learned their lesson and decided to avoid all places not specifically marked for motorhome use in Belgium. However, they found another wild camping spot with an even better view, only to be fined by the police the next morning for overstaying their welcome.
The group had a peaceful night without incident, watching canal boats slip past, before waking up at 5am, mostly ready to go and almost organised. They had no idea where they were going to stop for the night, but needed to find somewhere with water for their freshwater tank. They ended up in Belgium, heading towards the city of Antwerp, but found a campsite that felt 'off' due to a lot of people cycling and walking past, so they moved on.
Despite the unexpected fines and the squeak issue with their motorhome, the group had a lovely stay in a beautiful spot in Belgium. Kathryn Bird, who never planned to buy a motorhome or become a digital nomad, is now leading the way for others looking to embark on their own European road trip adventures.
[1] Motorhome Travel in Belgium [2] Wild Camping in Europe: What You Need to Know [3] Free Europe Road Trip Checklist [4] Belgium's Motorhome Aire Guide [5] Best Motorhome Apps for Europe
[1] After experiencing unexpected fines for wild camping, the group realized the importance of understanding the rules for motorhome travel in Belgium. [2] To avoidfuture fines, travelers looking to wild camp in Europe should familiarize themselves with the regulations in each country, such as the laws in Belgium, and consider using helpful guides, apps, or motorhome aire guides before setting up camp.
