Camping In Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria is known for its snow-capped peaks, blue skies, and green alpine meadows. The country offers a range of outdoor activities, from walks through the mountains to skiing and cooling off in its lakes. While camping is a great way to experience nature, the rules around camping in Austria can be complex and vary from state to state. So, what are the rules and regulations for camping in Austria?

Wild camping is generally not allowed in Austria

Wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is not allowed in Austria. The Forstgesetz 1975 (Bundesgesetz) or Austrian Forest Act 1975 prohibits camping in the forest unless the landowner has given explicit consent.

Camping outside the forest area is not covered by national legislation. Regulations for camping outside campsites depend on the local province. There is no uniform regulation for wild camping in Austria. The specific regulations and penalties for camping outside the forest area vary across individual federal states.

In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tirol, and Vienna, camping outside campsites is prohibited and can result in expensive fines. In Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg, there is no province-wide ban on wild camping, but municipalities can set restrictions. In general, camping above the treeline outside fenced-in pastures may be allowed.

However, it is important to note that wild camping is prohibited in protected areas, including national parks, nature conservation, and special protection areas.

If you are caught illegally wild camping, you are committing an administrative violation and could be fined. The maximum fine is €14,500, but this is likely to be levied for large-scale events in nature reserves. A much lower fine would be expected for individual campers.

An exception to the rules is made for emergency bivouacking, which is permitted throughout Austria. This refers to a one-time, makeshift overnight camp due to bad weather, lack of daylight, or an injury. Planned bivouacking is prohibited unless explicitly permitted.

While wild camping is generally not allowed, there are differences in individual provinces, and in some regions, it is tolerated. Bivouacking on private property is possible in many areas, and camping on private plots is permitted with the owner's permission. In some regions, you may also spend the night at the roadside or in parking lots.

Camping in the forest is prohibited unless the landowner has given explicit consent

Austria is known for its snow-capped peaks, blue skies, and green alpine meadows. Whether you want to walk through the mountains, cool off in one of the lakes, or go skiing, Austria has something for everyone. However, if you are planning to camp in the forest, there are some important things you need to know.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that camping in the forest is prohibited throughout Austria by the Forstgesetz 1975 (Bundesgesetz). This means that unless you have explicit consent from the landowner, you are not permitted to camp in the forest. The Austrian Forest Act 1975 guarantees the right to free access to forests nationwide, but "camping in the dark, camping..." is expressly excluded. The law states that "camping in the forest is illegal throughout Austria unless the property owner has given his express consent." So, if you are planning to camp in the forest, make sure you have the landowner's permission beforehand.

In addition to obtaining consent from the landowner, it is also important to be mindful of the local regulations and respect the environment. While camping outside of campsites is not covered by national legislation, each province has its own rules and regulations regarding camping outside of designated areas. These regulations can vary greatly from state to state, so it is essential to research the specific rules for the area you plan to visit. For example, in some provinces, like Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg, there is no province-wide ban on wild camping, but municipalities can set restrictions. On the other hand, provinces like Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tirol, and Vienna prohibit camping outside of campsites altogether.

It is also important to note that camping in protected areas, such as national parks and nature conservation areas, is strictly forbidden. These areas are home to sensitive ecosystems, and camping there can have detrimental effects on the environment. If you are caught camping illegally in one of these protected areas, you may be committing an administrative violation and could face hefty fines.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that there is an exception to the rules prohibiting wild camping in the case of an emergency. In all provinces, an unplanned alpine emergency camp (emergency bivouac) is permitted in the event of bad weather, lack of daylight, or an injury. However, a planned bivouac that is not due to an emergency situation is prohibited.

Camping outside forests is not covered by national legislation

While camping in forests is prohibited throughout Austria by the Austrian Forest Act 1975, unless the landowner has given explicit consent, camping outside forests is not covered by national legislation. This means that the regulations for camping outside of official campsites depend on the local province or state.

In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol, and Vienna, camping outside of campsites is prohibited, and you can be fined if caught. In Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg, there is no province-wide ban on wild camping, but the municipalities can set restrictions. In general, camping above the treeline outside fenced-in pastures may be allowed.

In all provinces, an exception is made for emergency bivouacking, which is understood as a one-time, makeshift overnight camp due to bad weather, lack of daylight, or an injury. However, a planned bivouac is prohibited.

It is important to note that camping in protected areas, such as national parks and nature conservation areas, is strictly forbidden. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to research the status of the land before planning a camping trip.

Camping in protected areas is forbidden

Camping in protected areas is strictly forbidden in Austria. This applies to national parks, nature conservation and special protection areas. If you are caught wild camping in one of these protected areas, you could face a hefty fine of up to €14,500.

Austria's federal laws and individual state laws prohibit camping in forests and certain areas outside forests. However, the Forstgesetz 1975 (Bundesgesetz), or the Austrian Forest Act 1975, guarantees free access to forests for recreational purposes. Still, it expressly prohibits "camping in the dark" or any form of camping without the explicit consent of the landowner.

The laws regarding camping outside forests vary across Austria's provinces. In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol, and Vienna, camping outside designated campsites is prohibited. In contrast, provinces like Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg do not have a province-wide ban on wild camping, but municipalities within these provinces can set restrictions.

While there are differences in regulations across provinces, camping in protected areas is consistently forbidden throughout Austria. It is essential to respect these regulations to avoid fines and preserve the natural environment.

Penalties for wild camping range from €5 to €14,500

Wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is officially not allowed in Austria. However, there are differences in the individual provinces and in some regions, wild camping is tolerated. While there is no uniform regulation for wild camping in Austria, penalties for wild camping range from €5 to €14,500.

The legal situation for camping in the forest is clear: camping in the entire forest area is prohibited by law unless the landowner has given explicit consent. The Forstgesetz 1975 (Bundesgesetz) prohibits camping in forests throughout Austria unless the landowner has given permission.

The specific regulations and penalties for camping outside the forest area vary depending on the federal state. In some regions, camping on private property is allowed with the landowner's permission. In other regions, you may be allowed to camp in your camper outside of campsites in certain places or on certain occasions.

Penalties for wild camping in nature reserves, national parks, and special protection areas are significantly higher and can be up to €14,500. These areas include national parks, nature conservation areas, and special protection areas ("Nationalparks, Naturschutz- und Sonderschutzgebieten").

In some provinces, such as Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg, there is no province-wide ban on wild camping, but the municipalities can set restrictions. In general, camping above the treeline outside fenced-in pastures may be allowed.

In other provinces, such as Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tirol, and Vienna, camping outside campsites is prohibited and can result in expensive fines.

Frequently asked questions