Wild camping in the Netherlands: is it allowed? (2026)
Free wild camping is prohibited everywhere in the Netherlands; sleeping legally in nature is only possible at nature campsites or with the landowner's permission.
What's allowed
- Staying overnight at a (nature) campsite or farm campsite
- Camping in a private individual's garden, for example via 'Welcome To My Garden'
- Small basic campsites in Drenthe and Friesland, among other provinces
- Wild camping on a few designated islets in the Biesbosch
What's not allowed
- Pitching your tent in forest, dune, heath or on the beach
- Staying overnight with a campervan or van outside official spots
- Wild camping in national parks and nature areas
- Open fires or barbecues in nature
In the Netherlands, free wild camping is prohibited by law. You can’t simply set up your tent, campervan or van in nature or by the roadside to spend the night. The country is densely populated, and almost every square metre has an owner or a manager with clear rules. There is no ‘right to roam’ here like in Scandinavia.
Where it really isn’t allowed
The ban applies everywhere in public nature: forests, dunes, heathlands, beaches and national parks. In the nature areas of Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and the provincial landscape trusts, staying overnight without a permit is not allowed. Staatsbosbeheer’s former post-camping spots (paalkampeerplekken) have largely been closed after years of misuse (litter, open fires, oversized groups).
Fines
Anyone caught wild camping faces a fine averaging €170 per person. Some municipalities apply lower amounts (from around €140), but in cases of repeat offences or damage to nature it can rise to €500. Enforcement officers (boa’s) and forest rangers patrol actively, especially in the summer season and in vulnerable dune and nature areas.
Open fires
Campfires and barbecues in nature are prohibited. During droughts a complete fire ban often applies, and Dutch nature is especially fire-prone in dry summers. Stick to a (gas) stove in a legal spot.
Legal alternatives
You can still sleep in nature, but only in a legal way:
- Nature campsites and farm campsites — small-scale and often right in the middle of the greenery.
- ‘Welcome To My Garden’ and similar platforms: free or paid overnight stays in a private individual’s garden.
- Small basic campsites in provinces such as Drenthe and Friesland, the closest thing to the old wild-camping experience.
- With a landowner’s permission, you may always stay on private land.
So plan your overnight stay in advance — you’ll find those legal spots on the CampCompass map.