Wild Camping in Italy: Regulations by Region
Whether you're traveling on foot, by bike, or by car, you’ve probably found yourself exploring Italy and wondering if you’re breaking any laws by pitching your tent in a stunning panoramic campspot!
Finding an answer to this question is not easy, but it’s not your fault. The regulation of camping and bivouacking in Italy follows a decentralized structure. It starts with national legislation, which assigns Regions the task of defining the rules, which are then further specified by Municipalities and Natural Parks.
Legislative Decree 31/3/1998 n.112 states that, at a national level, each region, area, or park is subject to different regulations.
Before explaining the rules to follow, region by region, it’s important to understand what is meant by bivouacking and wild camping. Unfortunately, even in this case, there is considerable confusion. Each general regulation defines bivouacking and camping differently—if they mention them at all. Based on an analysis of available sources (which we provide below) and cross-referencing various definitions, we’ll try to clarify these two concepts.
Bivouacking and Wild Camping
Bivouacking is generally intended for mountainous areas and is characterized by its emergency nature and short duration. In mountaineering, it refers to an overnight stop during multi-day ascents, using a tent set up after sunset and dismantled before sunrise.
A night bivouac from sunset to sunrise is generally legal everywhere unless explicitly prohibited.
Wild camping, on the other hand, refers to setting up a tent and staying overnight in an area that is not officially designated or equipped for camping. Unlike bivouacking, it involves a more organized campsite that may remain in the same location for multiple nights.
Now, let's delve into the regional regulatory framework, analyzing what the laws establish in each region.
Abruzzo
Regional Law of March 14, 2000, No. 33 (referenced in Regional Law of October 23, 2003, No. 16, Article 7) addresses self-organized camping, defining it as "an activity that uses primarily mobile structures for periods not exceeding twenty days." The authorization for self-organized camping is issued "by the managing authorities of protected areas where the site is located, after obtaining all other necessary authorizations as required by current laws; if the site is not within a protected area, the authorization is issued by the Municipality where the site is located."
The same law, in Article 5, defines itinerant camping as "an activity that involves daily movement and stops lasting no longer than forty-eight hours," provided that "for stops on specifically designated public or private areas, there is no objection from the concerned party."
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking in any way.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge regionale 23 ottobre 2003, n. 16
Legge regionale 14 Marzo 2000, n.33 - File Word
Basilicata
In Basilicata, temporary wild camping is allowed, but it requires a written request to the Municipality where you plan to stay.
Calabria
Currently, there is no specific regulation regarding wild camping in the region.
It is advisable to request authorization from the Municipality of your chosen destination.
Campania
Similarly, in the Campania region, there is no general regulation regarding wild camping.
It is advisable to request authorization from the Municipality of your chosen destination.
Emilia-Romagna
Regional Law No. 16 of 2014, Article 41, regulates wild camping in Emilia-Romagna.
"In the regional territory, staying with tents or other mobile sleeping accommodations outside designated camping facilities is prohibited."
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking in any way.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge regionale 28 luglio 2004, n. 16
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Camping is only allowed in designated and equipped campgrounds.
For further details, check out our source:
Sito ufficiale Friuli Venezia Giulia
Lazio
Regional Law of May 3, 1985, No. 59, Article 5 states:
“The mayor, after verifying the existence of minimum hygiene, safety, and environmental protection requirements, may authorize an individual user for free and isolated camping in designated areas for limited periods, not exceeding fifteen days.”
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking in any way.
For further details, check out our source:
La Legge Regionale del 03 maggio 1985, n. 59
Liguria
Regional Law of June 16, 2009, No. 24, Article 11 prohibits “camping or bivouacking freely, unless explicitly allowed by specific usage regulations or other normative provisions, except in emergency situations.”
For further details, check out our source:
Legge Regionale 2009, n.14
Lombardy
Regional Law No. 15 of 2007 previously established that regulations concerning wild camping were left to the discretion of individual municipalities.
However, this law was repealed by Article 86, paragraph 1, letter i) of Regional Law No. 27 of October 1, 2015, which does not provide any additional guidance on wild camping or nighttime bivouacking. It is advisable to request authorization from the Municipality of your chosen destination.
For further details, check out our sources:
Legge Regionale n. 15 del 2007
Marche
In the Marche region, free camping is allowed only for "non-profit organizations or associations engaged in educational and social activities" provided they obtain authorization from the municipality and meet at least one of the following requirements:
a) Registration in one of the regional volunteer registers;
b) Pursuit of educational, didactic, sports, religious, or social purposes.
Even with these requirements, free camping is limited to a maximum of 48 hours in areas without designated campgrounds.
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
Normativa n.9 del 11 luglio 2006
Molise
Regional Law No. 5 of 2001 regulates the classification of campgrounds, tourist villages, and rest areas in Molise. Article 11 states that "the provisions of this law do not apply to the occasional setup of tents or other mobile accommodation for up to 10 days," leaving room for free camping.
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge regionale n. 5 del 2001
Piedmont
In Piedmont, free camping is allowed for up to 48 hours in the same location, provided there are no designated camping areas nearby. A prior notification must be sent to the Mayor of the relevant municipality at least 24 hours before the stay.
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our sources:
Legge regionale 4 gennaio 2021, n. 1
Puglia
Camping is allowed "in regional parks and nature reserves, as well as in adjacent protected areas, where naturalistic campsites may be set up for study purposes," subject to authorization from the mayor. The law also states that "municipalities are required to designate specific rest areas, outside of which no other camping stops should be allowed."
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge Regionale 11 febbraio 1999, n. 11, art. 20-23
Sardinia
Regional Law No. 16 of July 28, 2017, states that "throughout the region, camping with tents, caravans, motorhomes, campers, or similar mobile accommodation is prohibited outside of open-air hospitality facilities and designated temporary rest areas." The 2014 beach ordinance further regulates wild camping, stating that it is prohibited to camp on beaches "with caravans, campers, tents, or similar equipment."
Article 30 of the same regional law mentions bivouacking as follows: "on privately owned trails, transit is allowed solely for hiking purposes, provided that hikers do not stop to bivouac."
For further details, check out our sources:
Legge Regionale 28/07/2017, N. 16
Sicily
Regional Law No. 14 of 1982 specifies in Article 1 that "in campgrounds, the presence of tents or caravans installed by the management is permitted." Article 15 also addresses occasional mobile camps, stating that "the provisions of this law do not apply to mobile camps occasionally organized for short periods by associations with institutional purposes." The final part of the article suggests "requesting authorization from the relevant municipality" to verify local regulations.
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge regionale n. 14 del 1982
Tuscany
Tuscany has no specific regulations regarding free camping.
It is advisable to request authorization from the municipality of the chosen destination.
Trentino-Alto Adige
In Trentino-Alto Adige, "camping in tents or mobile accommodation is prohibited outside of designated outdoor hospitality facilities and tourist areas."
However, bivouacking is allowed for a maximum of 24 hours, unless specifically prohibited by local authorities.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge provinciale 4 ottobre 2012, n. 19
Umbria
Regional Law No. 13 of 2013 regulates the use of equipped areas for temporary stays, stating that municipalities "may establish designated areas exclusively for the temporary stay" of caravans, motorhomes, campers, and similar mobile accommodations for up to twenty-four hours. "The stay is allowed for a maximum of forty-eight hours in the absence of open-air hospitality facilities."
Within Regional Parks, free camping is regulated directly by the entities managing the park, and authorization must be requested from them.
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
La Legge Regionale n.13 del 2013
Aosta Valley
"Alpine bivouacking in a tent" is allowed if "carried out at altitudes above 2,500 meters above sea level," and the stay is limited to the period from sunset to sunrise. Additionally, the Mayor of the municipality may authorize "occasional tent camping organized by non-profit organizations or associations for a maximum period of forty-eight hours," specifically "in locations not served by open-air hospitality facilities and at least 500 meters away from the nearest active complex."
For further details, check out our source:
Legge Regionale n. 8 del 2002
Veneto
Article 2 of Regional Law No. 40 of 1984 states that "Camping and lighting fires outdoors are only permitted within designated and equipped areas."
The regulation does not mention nighttime bivouacking.
For further details, check out our source:
Legge Regionale 1984, n.40 - Word File
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