Tulip fields, windmills and Arjen seals - that's what the Netherlands are known for, in addition to the beautiful landscape and dreamy sandy beaches on the North Sea coast.
Our neighbours are self-confessed campers as well so you're sure to meet many like-minded people here. Here you can find out more about wild camping!
Is wild camping allowed in the Netherlands?
Free-standing and wild camping is not allowed in Holland and unlike many other countries in Europe, unfortunately not on private property either. Offences are punishable by a fine of up to €500 per person. Many campers will still be familiar with the so-called ´pole campsites` as a spontaneous camping option. Unfortunately, these were officially abolished and banned in 2020. There are some alternative ways to spend time in the Netherlands and still get that wild camping feeling.
What are the alternatives to wild camping in the Netherlands?
You can't get the idea of wild camping in the Netherlands out of your head and are now looking for a suitable alternative? We've collected a selection of options for your camping holiday in the Netherlands.
Campsites
Camping in the Netherlands is quite easy thanks to the numerous campsites in the country. In addition to campsites near cities you'll also find many campsites in the countryside. Camping in places full of nature, solitude and green meadows costs about €20 per night. In addition, some municipalities have designated areas for camping. There you can stay quite close to nature without getting fined for wild camping.
Pitches
You could take advantage of the bicycle-friendliness of the Netherlands and take your bike with you, use your camper as a base on a pitch and explore Holland by bike. Because there are just so many pitches. Most pitches are equipped with the most important facilities and you can fill up your water tank, dispose of the contents of your toilet cassette and other waste properly at the numerous supply and waste disposal stations. Most pitches cost between €8 and €20 per night but if you're lucky you might even find a free pitch. It's also good to know that you're often not allowed to stay for more than 48-72 hours.
Mini campsites are, as the name suggests, very small, often family-run and accordingly often quieter than a classic campsite would be.
On this page you can find various mini and farm campsites in the Netherlands. Suggestions for all regions of the Netherlands are clearly listed so that you can fully enjoy the diversity of the Netherlands, such as dunes, meadows, forests and beaches. Whether Groningen or North Brabant.
Camping on farms
Usually camping on private property is prohibited in the Netherlands. But there's a loophole which helps to get as close as possible to wild camping. Many farmers make their private land available for camping with suitable infrastructure. Camping on farms in Holland is particularly suitable if you're on a camping trip with children and want to stay somewhere for a few nights.
Parking spaces
In Dutch cities you can also find a few spontaneous places to stay overnight. In many regions, the municipalities provide specially marked parking spaces for your camper van. The parking spaces are not really an alternative to wild camping but they're often free of charge and offer a short-term place to spend the night.
What should I keep in mind?
Most of us camp for the love of nature and the incomparable feeling of freedom. Unfortunately, in many cases this harms both nature and the local economy. Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind when wild camping.
Leave the place as clean as you found it!
Be careful not to disturb animals and nature through noise or fire!
Dispose of gray water at designated stations!
Be considerate of residents and fellow campers!
Support the local tourism and give back to your vacation destination!
Even though wild camping is generally prohibited in the Netherlands there are still ways which help you to camp as sustainably as possible.
It goes without saying that you should not leave any rubbish behind but take it with you and dispose of it properly. There are always liners from The Sustainable People in our campers. Waste water: there are waste water stations at most campsites.
In general, you should take care of nature in Holland, as there are many nature reserves and about 1/5 of the country is covered with water. That's why environmental protection is particularly important to the Dutch. This also means that you should not light any open fires.
For many, wild camping is one of the ways to turn their camping holiday into an adventure. However, it's also understandable that the Netherlands do not allow this in order to protect the wilderness and nature and you should accept that. The best thing to do is to find out which region you want to go to and which type of pitch suits you. This way you can get a wild camping-like experience without breaking the local rules of the Netherlands.
