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Is wild camping allowed in Switzerland?

No Tolerated! Yes

Yes, wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is allowed in Switzerland. However, this does not apply in all regions, there are a few exceptions here as well as in every country which should be considered in order not to get in trouble with the authorities and residents.

This regulation applies only to non-motorized vehicles.

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Monique
Written by: Monique
Get to know the whole team
Last researched: 2023

The basis for wild camping is the Everyman's Right of Access. This allows you to spend one or two nights outside nature reserves, while signs point out possible exceptions. The use of a motorhome or campervan is not prohibited by law.

Despite the general permission, there are exceptions. Wild camping is generally prohibited in the following areas:

  • Swiss National Park
  • Federal Hunting Ban Areas (Game Reserves)
  • Various nature reserves
  • Wild rest zones (during the protection period)

Above the forest line, on alpine pastures, and in rocky terrain, you can camp without any problems.

There are also special restrictions that vary from canton to canton and municipality to municipality. It is, therefore, best to find out about the regional legal situation directly on-site via

  • cantonal geoportals (https://www.kkgeo.ch/geodaten/kantonale_geoportale)
  • the cantonal office for hunting
  • the municipal administration
  • the local traffic and tourism office
  • the responsible gamekeeper
  • the inhabitants of the municipality
  • prohibition signs
  • Posts like these are possible thanks to our partners. Take a look at our partner ELEMENT Camper!

    ELEMENT Camper

Tips and tricks for wild camping in Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its beautiful mountain landscape and, especially in the winter months, attracts many skiers. But even in summer, Switzerland with its green mountain pastures and imposing mountain peaks invites you to hike and camp wild. Thanks to the right of public access, this is not a big problem in Switzerland, but some points should be considered.

Show consideration
Despite the general permission for wild camping, you should give special consideration to the following areas:

  • Near mountain huts
  • Near climbing areas
  • In principle, you should avoid forests, floodplains, and wetlands.

National parks and game reserves
In national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, there is a strict ban on wild camping and free standing. Especially lighting fires in national parks and game reserves are punished with up to 10.000 € or more. Exceptions are official fireplaces, where you can make a campfire without hesitation.

Traffic rules
In Switzerland, traffic rules are enforced more strictly than in other countries. For example, a driving license can be withdrawn for one to three months if the speed limit is exceeded by 20 km/h. Similarly, severe penalties are imposed for exceeding the blood-alcohol limit of 0.5. Furthermore, a criminal complaint is filed. You are also required to drive with your lights on during the. If you don't comply with these rules, you will be fined 40 francs, which corresponds to approximately 36.00 €.

Toll
On motorways with green signposts, you have to pay a toll. You must put a toll sticker behind your windscreen. It is available at the border, post offices, and petrol stations.

By the way: According to an ADAC study, Switzerland ranks tenth among the cheapest camping countries in Europe. For example, two adults with one child pay an average of 47.97 € for an overnight stay on a campsite, including parking space and ancillary costs.

10 interesting, bizarre and funny facts about Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its mountains, cheese, and chocolate. It is also nothing new that Switzerland remains neutral in military conflicts. But did you know that they invaded Liechtenstein in 2007? So theoretically at least. We have gathered these and other facts here for you.

Fact #1 - Invasion of Liechtenstein
Neutral Switzerland inadvertently marched into neighboring Liechtenstein in 2007 when soldiers got lost in bad weather. However, they withdrew immediately after noticing the mistake.

Fact #2 - Bunker
Switzerland is a very security-oriented country. It is the only country in the world that has enough bunkers for its entire population to protect them in the event of a war.

Fact #3 - Never alone
In Switzerland, it is illegal to keep a guinea pig individually, as this is not species-appropriate. For this reason, guinea pigs must always be kept in pairs.

Fact #4 - Weapons
There's military service in Switzerland. All soldiers are allowed to store their weapons at home in case of an emergency. Therefore in Switzerland, there are about 2.3 to 4.5 million weapons with only 8 million inhabitants.

Fact #5 - Lakes
Switzerland is not only characterized by its breathtaking mountain landscape and green pastures, but it also has over 1,500 lakes. Therefore, the nearest lake is never more than 16 km away.

Fact #6 - Note office hours
If you want to attack Switzerland, please do so between 6 am and 10 pm for the time being, as the Air Force, is only ready for action during this time. From the end of 2020, however, they will switch to full time.

Fact #7 - Smallest vineyard in the world
La Vigne à Farinet in Valais is the smallest vineyard in the world with 1.68 square meters. And who owns this enormous estate? Of course, the Dalai Lama, who else.

Fact #8 - Memorial
The Swiss have a memorial against landmines. The memorial is a huge three-legged chair called "Broken Chair Sculpture" and stands in the city of Geneva.

Fact #9 - Mövenpick
The Swiss entrepreneur Ueli Prager came up with the name Mövenpick when he saw seagulls picking pieces of bread from the hands of passers-by on the Quai Bridge in Zurich.

Fact #10 - Square flag
The flag of Switzerland is one of only two square flags in the world, the other can be found in the Vatican. However, there is one exception, for Olympia and seafaring there is a rectangular flag.

Everything you need to know for your trip

Equipment

  • Warning triangle Yes
  • Safety vest Yes
  • First aid kit No
  • Replacement lamp set No
  • Spare tyre / repair set No
  • Fire extinguisher No
  • Tow rope No
  • Tear rope for all trailers Yes

Driving

  • Do I need a vignette, or are there tolls? Yes
  • Right hand trafficTo avoid dazzling other road users, you need to readjust or mask your headlights if they have asymmetrical light and are right-hand drive
  • Is it compulsory to drive with lights on during the day? Yes

Information

  • Is the tap water potable? Yes
  • Socket type: J
  • Energency numbers: 144
  • Currency: Schweizer Franken (CHF)
  • Official Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
  • Country licence plate code: CH

Average prices, in €

  • Price coffee rounded: 6.25
  • Price beer rounded: 6.75

Entry conditions for animals

  • You need a valid EU pet passport in which your animal is clearly identified (microchip or tattoo), as well as a rabies vaccination valid on entry. The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old, but not older than 6 months. Yes
  • If your entry is from a non-EU country with a reduced rabies status, you must have a rabies antibody test carried out approximately four weeks before you enter the country and have it entered on your EU pet passport. No
  • Your dog must be treated for tapeworms 24 to 120 hours before entry. No
  • In addition to a valid EU pet passport with all the required entries, you also need an official veterinary health certificate (max. 10 days old). No
  • The import of fighting dogs or breeds classified as dangerous is not permitted. No
  • Special features: As soon as you enter the country, you must report your animal to the customs. Dogs with docked ears or docked tails may not be imported.
We try our best to keep the information up to date. Even so, we can always make mistakes. Have you found an error? Send us an email to moc.aynavarac@ofnullni!

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