Portugal freecamping now illegal.

[Theonlysue]

Laws passed yesterday for a variety of items.

Highway code alterations in Portugal: new fines in place and strict instructions for caravans and motorhomes from tomorrow

Alterations to the Highway Code designed to increase road safety and reduce bureaucracy come into effect from tomorrow (Friday January 8) .

www.portugalresident.com

 

[flatpackchicken]

Portugal news !!!!!!!
Alterations to the Highway Code designed to increase road safety and reduce bureaucracy come into effect from tomorrow (Friday January 8) .

Among the changes are increased fines for anyone found using a mobile phone at the wheel, and the prohibition of caravans and motorhomes to make overnight stops “outside authorised places”.

The rules were first mooted in November, after the Council of Ministers approved a number of changes to bring the Code up to date.

The new Code now sees Uber drivers (and any others working for digital platforms) included in the requirement to have a blood alcohol level of less than 0.20 gr/ litre when transporting passengers.

Tractor drivers are also facing new demands under the changes: including the wearing of seatbelts, use of safety arc and special advisory lights when the tractor is moving. Fines for tractor drivers breaking the new will run from €120 to €600.

A nod at digital progress also sees drivers able to show police identification documents through the government application id.gov.pt – and for the first time electric scooters are to be included in the code, in the same bracket as bicycles once they reach a speed of 25 kms/ hour, or a maximum strength of 0.25 kw. At this point fines for exceeding speed can run from €60 to €300.

The new rules also impede electric scooters from using pavements or ‘areas for pedestrians and velocipedes (sic)’.

Explain reports, the revision of the Highway Code has made it possible to put all categories of vehicle on one licence “allowing for the elimination of tractor licences and licenses for the driving of agricultural or forestry vehicles on public roads”.

Also under these new measures, drivers will be able to recover driving licences that may have expired by taking examinations and/ or attending training courses.

Today’s reports barely dwelt on the fines facing people staying overnight in caravans and motorhomes in unauthorised places. But these have been known to run into double figures, and according to reports last May, could reach €2000.

 

[MisterB]

is there a definition of what is an 'unauthorised place' ?? hopefully it means where there are signs (or local byelaws as displayed in lots of French towns and villages) expressly forbidding overnight regulated by the local Marie) as opposed to it only being where signs expressly authorise it .....

 

[BreweryDave]

Correct
FLT’s no longer welcome
There are, however, loads and loads of aires and sites, I travelled the length of the country last year entirely on free aires.
An ‘unauthorised place’ is anywhere it isn’t specifically ‘authorised’ ! So, if there are no signs, it’s prohibited.
The sight of loads of white boxes on wheels taking up the best spots on the coast and leaving their waste has been legislated against, many of these folk are their own worst enemy.
.........and most of them are vegans and do yoga too

 

[JJ]

Plenty of off-site places in Portugal for us FLT's to use without causing grief...

The poor perception of FLT's held by many does not encompass all of us...

JJ

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[domf]

Excuse the newbie question - what does FLT stand for - presumably something to do with "free camping"?

 

[JJ]

But these have been known to run into double figures, and according to reports last May, could reach €2000.

Have you ever actually met any motorhomer who has been fined €2000 in Portugal for staying overnight off-site?

Of course you haven't.

Media nonsense stories use words like "reportedly".

JJ

 

[JJ]

FLT = Free Loading Tosser.

A phrase referring to freedom loving motorhomers like me who don't like parking with loads of other vans positioned within neat boundaries on campsites.

JJ

 

[flatpackchicken]

Excuse the newbie question - what does FLT stand for - presumably something to do with "free camping"?

Free Loading Tosser/Traveller !!!!!!!

 

[busby]

FLT = Free Loading Tosser.

A phrase referring to freedom loving motorhomers like me who don't like parking with loads of other vans positioned within neat boundaries on campsites.

JJ

But unfortunately there are many more who park up in prime coastal positions in large groups who spoil it for genuine wilders. BUSBY.

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[Tea Bag]

Hi.
MMMMmm.. This IS Portugal........ Common sense still prevails.......... Long may it continue. Is there a law now, that says next year,the " Lads ?" won't be able to string the Christmas lights while standing aloft in a JCB bucket ,or " Proceed " down the high street with a Whacker hanging from a chain on the back actor.?
Tea Bag..
PS. Will this stop " Herringbone Parking " in normal square type boxes ? ....Perish the thought !!

 

[Brains]

Excuse the newbie question - what does FLT stand for - presumably something to do with "free camping"?

FLT = Freedom Loving Traveller/Free Loading Tosser depending on context used and your point of view

 

[chaser]

Have you ever actually met any motorhomer who has been fined €2000 in Portugal for staying overnight off-site?

Of course you haven't.

Media nonsense stories use words like "reportedly".

JJ

You won't have heard of any fines yet, if it only came in yesterday

 

[Kozikot]

FLT = Freedom Loving Traveller/Free Loading Tosser depending on context used and your point of view

Either way, people who can peel an Orange in their Pocket...

 

[JJ]

You won't have heard of any fines yet, if it only came in yesterday

The post said to me that fines "have been known" to run into double figures etc which suggest to me the post is about before "yesterday".

JJ

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[JJ]

Either way, people who can peel an Orange in their Pocket...

The suggestion that FLT's don't use campsites because they are mean with their money is not only offensive and wrong but also displays an arrogance worthy of Da*ly Mail readers...

JJ

 

[Kozikot]

The suggestion that FLT's don't use campsites because they are mean with their money is not only offensive and wrong but also displays an arrogance worthy of Da*ly Mail readers...

JJ

Me read the Mail...I can't even afford to buy an Orange...

 

[spitfire]

Have you ever actually met any motorhomer who has been fined €2000 in Portugal for staying overnight off-site?

Of course you haven't.

Media nonsense stories use words like "reportedly".

JJ

Hâve met one who was fined 300€ and was sent to their french home . They were back in Portugal for the following winter when their daughter opened the mail at their home .

 

[chaser]

The post said to me that fines "have been known" to run into double figures etc which suggest to me the post is about before "yesterday".

JJ

Actually comes into force today, not even yesterday

 

[chaser]

The suggestion that FLT's don't use campsites because they are mean with their money is not only offensive and wrong but also displays an arrogance worthy of Da*ly Mail readers...

JJ

Who mentioned
No one but you.

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[bobandjanie]

My dad always said two's company three's a crowd and four is too many.
At that is what's causing the problems, I'm sure parking on your own out the way, you won't have a problem ..................... hopefully.

Until some fool puts it on park4night. Bob.

 

[Northernraider]

I did say this last week but someone tokd me i was wrong

Its been on every vanlifer forum and farcebook group since last may

Comes in to effect 8th january

 

[Northernraider]

Excuse the newbie question - what does FLT stand for - presumably something to do with "free camping"?

This guy is a classic FLT
Terrible terrible person

Tam and Toby ~~ Hunting Zorba .....Take two.

So after the disastrous start to the trip last week ....Toby having a breakdown and a few days in rehab he's now feeling himself again ....so it's all systems go Tunnel is booked for 9.20am Sunday 27th so a couple of days to get down there and then on to Belgium hopefully for Sunday night...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[fullfat]

Some FLT’s also try to get complicated medical procedures carried out whilst abroad

 

[jumartoo]

We've just been FLTs here in our region of Spain. One night, totally alone (and Covid travel legal). No hindrance to anyone or anything.

But then on our local coasts you get these FLTs. Camping for months on end. No emptying facilities but plenty of bushes and a huge expanse of water , and "irrigation" water can be "sourced" from the greenhouses behind!!

These are the FLTs that are spoiling it for everyone.

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[nicholsong]

Correct
FLT’s no longer welcome
There are, however, loads and loads of aires and sites, I travelled the length of the country last year entirely on free aires.
An ‘unauthorised place’ is anywhere it isn’t specifically ‘authorised’ ! So, if there are no signs, it’s prohibited.
The sight of loads of white boxes on wheels taking up the best spots on the coast and leaving their waste has been legislated against, many of these folk are their own worst enemy.
.........and most of them are vegans and do yoga too

Dave

Can you please point to where we can find information on 'authorised' places. We have the usual apps. (park4night, searchforsites, campercontact, campingcar-infos) but they do not always inform one whether the places are authorised.

We do not like campsites, so are happy with aires or any other authorised parking. It is a pity that the portgalresident.com did not refer to such information, but your help would be welcome.

Geoff

 

[Northernraider]

We've just been FLTs here in our region of Spain. One night, totally alone (and Covid travel legal). No hindrance to anyone or anything.

View attachment 454516

But then on our local coasts you get these FLTs. Camping for months on end. No emptying facilities but plenty of bushes and a huge expanse of water , and "irrigation" water can be "sourced" from the greenhouses behind!!

View attachment 454528View attachment 454529

These are the FLTs that are spoiling it for everyone.

To be fair there are no emptying facilities here either .. ive not used my cassette in 2 months..

Ive got lots of dog poo bags though and 2 wide necked milk bottles

There are ways and means

 

[jumartoo]

To be fair there are no emptying facilities here either .. ive not used my cassette in 2 months..

Ive got lots of dog poo bags though and 2 wide necked milk bottles

There are ways and means

Ah but, you don't stay for six months in one place.

There is a certain odour in the place I photo'd, easily discerned if you just cycle through on the track.

 

[Northernraider]

Dave

Can you please point to where we can find information on 'authorised' places. We have the usual apps. (park4night, searchforsites, campercontact, campingcar-infos) but they do not always inform one whether the places are authorised.

We do not like campsites, so are happy with aires or any other authorised parking. It is a pity that the portgalresident.com did not refer to such information, but your help would be welcome.

Geoff

The problem with signs too is the fact that they are everywhere BUT like lots of places a blind eye is turned when it suits and enforced when it doesn't.

And that's the problem... when it becomes a gamble as to whether you get a knock on the door at stupid oclock or a sneaky fine months later

 

[Northernraider]

Ah but, you don't stay for six months in one place.

There is a certain odour in the place I photo'd, easily discerned if you just cycle through on the track.

Yes thats true

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