Germany has a dense network of campsites and dedicated motorhome stopovers, often with paid electricity, water and waste disposal.
Camper Rules Assistant
Build a country route and get compact allowed/do-not-assume/check cards for overnight rules, LEZ, tolls, documents and winter requirements.
Germany
Germany is friendly to motorhome touring when you use signed Stellplaetze, campsites and normal legal parking. Wild camping is broadly restricted, and city access can depend on environmental stickers.
Treat an overnight roadside stop as parking, not camping: keep awnings, chairs, steps and leveling gear inside the vehicle footprint unless a site explicitly allows them.
Private leisure motorhomes are normally outside Germany's truck toll system, but heavy or goods-use vehicles need a closer check before travel. Many German low-emission zones require a valid environmental sticker, and foreign vehicles may need to apply before entering.
France
France combines a large campsite network with strict local parking, low-emission and mountain-winter rules. Motorhome travellers should separate legal parking from camping behaviour.
Use campsites and official aires de camping-car for overnight stops, water, electricity and waste services.
A motorhome can use legal parking like other vehicles, but camping behaviour and long stays can be restricted by national, local or protected-area rules.
French motorway toll class depends mainly on height, weight and axle count, so tall motorhomes can pay more than cars. Crit'Air stickers are required in low-emission zones and during some pollution-control measures, including for foreign vehicles.
Documents and insurance
Germany
Carry your driving licence, registration document, proof of insurance and personal ID. Check licence categories carefully for vehicles or combinations above 3.5 tonnes.
- Non-EU visitors should check whether an International Driving Permit is useful alongside their national licence.
- Rental contracts can restrict countries, ferries, gravel roads and winter travel; confirm coverage before departure.
France
For motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes, a standard B licence is generally the base category; heavier vehicles can require C1 or equivalent rights.
- Carry licence, registration, insurance proof and rental authorisation if the vehicle is hired.
- Liability insurance must cover travel in France even when the policy was issued abroad.