Theoretically you can camp anywhere in the world if you can find the land’s owner and he gives you permission. Or if you are careful to set your tent after dark, leave early and keep you camp fire low. In a seashell: be discrete.

   However..

   Let’s see which countries allow you to camp the tent for free anywhere..and which don’t.


It’s permitted or tolerated in:

• Turkey
• Iceland
• Czech Republic
• Scotland – not on private property
• Estonia - it’s permitted on public land and public forests. In addition, any land strip closer than 6 meters to sea is considered public land.
• Finland
• Sweden – the concept is called Allemansrätten (every man’s right). You are allowed to camp anywhere as long as you are at a minimum distance of 300m of a house.
• Norway - the same as in Sweden, up to 48 hours and at minimum 150m far from houses.
• Ireland- it is not illegal and it is tolerated, but better ask beforehand.
• Poland
• Croatia
• Bulgaria
• Australia – it’s legal
• New Zealand – it’s legal
• SUA – you can camp anywhere on public federal land at minimum 100m away from the road. This is not the case for national parks where you must camp in special places.
• Russia – you can camp anywhere, except the church land, private gardens and near water reservoirs (you’ll usually see a sign).
• Morocco
• Hawaii – in a few national parks it is free of charge if you already payed the entrance fee for the park. In others you must get a permit, which is free.
• Argentina – in national parks
• Mongolia
• Vietnam – especially in the north (Halong)
• Laos – some areas
• Cambodia
• Thailand – in national parks and on some beaches
• India - in rural areas

It is not permitted or harder in:

• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Greece -  in Grecia still are some places in south Peloponnese where you are allowed to camp. It is forbidden to camp you tent on the beach and you can even go to jail for that. You should keep in mind though that it is only forbidden to camp the tent, not to sleep without the tent. And summers in Greece are very hot.
• Italy – only with the land owner’s permission. It is forbidden on the beach.
• England and Wales
• Croatia – it not actually legal, but it is possible
• Spain –  is it forbidden to camp, but you are allowed the so-called “pernoctando”, which means sleeping with the visible intention of staying only one night, better without the tent.
• Portugal – forbidden, but tolerated
• France – forbidden, but tolerated considering that there are many large lands almost unpopulated.
• Germany
• Austria
• Canada – it is allowed only in province areas and the more wild ones.
• China – especially in East
• Brazil
• Japan – although many people do it anyway
• Denmark –  you are not allowed to camp everywhere, but there are special places (about 750 actually) especially on the coast and in the forests, where you are allowed to stay not more than two days.

The list remains open.

   To keep in mind: you are forbidden to set fire, about everywhere.

    Curiously enough, the countries where camping is allowed and you have plenty of open wild land, are also the countries where the locals are happy to let you stay in their own homes.

   It is best to ask the locals first. Who knows, maybe you won’t even need a tent.

Would you try something like this?

If you did, share your experience with us.