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Can you stay overnight in a campervan in Sweden outside a campsite?

What the right of public access, rest areas and local rules say.

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Short answer

The Swedish right of public access does not let you park a campervan in nature, and rest areas normally allow stays of at most 24 hours. Naturvårdsverket says this applies whether you want to stay overnight or just park. Municipalities and county boards can set special rules through local traffic regulations.

Guesthouses, cottages and campgrounds Illustration of a red Swedish cabin, a tent and a hotel bed under pine trees

Why

  1. According to Naturvårdsverket, driving motor vehicles in nature is not part of the right of public access, and you may not park or set up a motorhome, caravan or car with a roof tent in nature.
  2. According to Trafikverket, its rest areas are mainly meant for temporary rest, not for overnight stays, and on rest areas and signposted parking places a vehicle may in principle stay at most 24 hours.
  3. According to Transportstyrelsen, municipalities and county administrative boards may issue special stopping and parking rules in local traffic regulations, in addition to the national rules.

Details

Naturvårdsverket adds that at a rest area you can normally stay at most 24 hours, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until the next weekday. A supplementary sign under the P sign shows if other rules apply, and the municipality's local rules can regulate overnight stays and parking of campers and caravans at rest areas. For campsites see guesthouses, cottages and campgrounds, and for the season the best time to visit Sweden.

Tip

Look for the supplementary sign under the P sign at the rest area and contact the municipality about its local rules. If you are unsure, choose a campsite.

What may differ

Rules differ by place and day: rest areas follow the 24-hour rule, which runs to the next weekday at weekends and public holidays, and municipalities can add their own rules.

Common misconception

You can sleep in a campervan anywhere you could pitch a tent under the right of public access.

What actually happens

Naturvårdsverket says the right of public access does not cover motor traffic, and that you may not park a motorhome, caravan or car with a roof tent in nature.

People also ask

  • Can you park a campervan overnight in Sweden?
  • Can you sleep in a motorhome outside a campsite in Sweden?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Naturvårdsverket and the municipality before you travel.

Guesthouses, cottages and campgrounds

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