Wilding in Portugal now formally illegal
Following is news from Portugal:
"Since 1 January 2021, changes have been made to Portugal’s road traffic legislation that also affect a regulation governing parking of, and overnight stops in motorcaravans. These may now only stop at designated sites. In other words, from now on, stopping in any parking areas is strictly forbidden unless it is expressly indicated that it is allowed.
This measure has been introduced because Portugal’s rich cultural heritage makes it such a popular destination and there has been a huge influx of caravans and motorcaravans into the country in recent times.
In the event of non-compliance the authorities, police (GNR) and local councils, are now handing out hefty fines that can be anywhere between 200€ and 36,000€. So wild camping is very much a thing of the past in Portugal."
peedee
Comments
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This seems to be a recurring theme, residents were complaining about the way waste in all its forms was being disposed off in an area where there did not appear to be a fesh water tap
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Agree with that. There’s a expanding minority of motorhomers whose objective seems to be to avoid any organised facilities with overnight charges, however modest. Some behave responsibly in pursuit of that, but there’s evidently a growing number who selfishly don’t. We’re all paying the price for that be it Scotland’s NC500 or Portugal etc.
Unfortunately I think the increasing popularity of motorhoming is part of the problem. Familiarity breeds contempt and too many local residents and authorities are developing that familiarity!
Personally I’ll always opt for a MH facility site, even though we’ve got our own limited, cramped facilities which I’d rather not use if there’s a spacious hot shower and decent toilet to be had. Bugger the cost, I’m on holiday!
Grubbing around for a sewer manhole to empty my toilet cassette doesn’t appeal much either!
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Did any of you see the Piemanson beach on the Med at the foot of the Camargue in its heyday?
There were several hundred motorhomes, caravans, tents and driftwood shacks stretching for a mile or two right along the beach. A tanker truck came every day to sell fresh water, and toilet waste went into a dig your own pit in the dunes. The authorities cleared the site for hygiene reasons two or three years ago and I read that gendarmes now come round late every evening to see people on their way.
It's a wonderful, wild, windswept beach - well worth seeking out
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