Can you sleep anywhere in a rooftop tent? The rules in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany

The romantic picture: you drive up to the perfect view, pop your rooftop tent open in 60 seconds and wake up with the sunrise. But is that actually allowed? The short answer: usually not — the rules differ greatly per country and even per municipality. Here's what you need to know before you set off.

Note: rules change regularly and differ per municipality or region. Always check the local regulations of your destination — this article is a practical guide, not legal advice.

The Netherlands: wild camping is prohibited

In the Netherlands, wild camping — including overnighting in a rooftop tent outside a campsite — is prohibited in principle. Spending the night in or on your vehicle along public roads falls under each municipality's local by-laws (APV), and almost everywhere it's not allowed. Get caught and you risk a fine.

What you can do:

• Campsites and motorhome spots — many nature campsites welcome rooftop tents and are surprisingly quiet
• Farm campsites, often in beautiful locations
• Platforms where private landowners offer their land to campers — unique private spots with rooftop tent permission

Belgium: strict, with lovely exceptions

Wild camping is not permitted in Belgium either, in principle. But there's a lovely exception: Wallonia has designated bivouac zones in nature where you can stay briefly (usually 48 hours maximum). They're primarily intended for hikers with a regular tent — for a rooftop tent your car must be on an official parking spot, so check per bivouac zone what's allowed. The Ardennes also have plenty of small campsites that make a perfect base for offroad routes.

Germany: the famous grey area

Germany has an interesting rule: spending one night in your vehicle by the road is allowed if it serves to restore your Fahrtüchtigkeit (fitness to drive) — i.e. if you're tired and want to rest safely. But beware: this is meant as an emergency solution, not a free camping permit. As soon as you display camping behaviour — table and chairs outside, awning out — it counts as camping, which is prohibited outside campsites. Whether an opened rooftop tent falls under the rest rule differs per federal state and per enforcement officer: don't count on it. For a carefree trip, choose campsites or Stellplätze that allow rooftop tents in Germany too.

5 tips for the best (legal) rooftop tent nights

1. Book small: nature and farm campsites give you that wild camping feeling, but legally and with facilities
2. Use private platforms: private spots with landowners are often spectacular and cheap
3. Arrive late, leave early: on permitted (parking) spots, discretion is key — no camping furniture outside, leave no trace
4. Going further? Countries like Norway and Sweden have the right to roam, and in Scotland and parts of the Balkans (car) camping is much freer — that's where a rooftop tent really comes into its own
5. Fast setup and pack-down helps: with a hardshell that closes in 60 seconds, you're never conspicuously set up for long — see our hardshell rooftop tents

Wherever you sleep: leave the spot as you found it. That keeps beautiful places accessible for everyone.

First check whether a rooftop tent fits your car?

Then read our article on dynamic and static roof load. And good to know: if you collect your rooftop tent from us, we help with fitting and, as an extra service, use stronger bolts than the ones in the package. Suitable roof racks for your car are something you arrange yourself — we're happy to advise which ones fit. Need inspiration for your first trip? Check out our travel stories.