Using tents on private / public land in Germany and Poland?

[Rob12345]

Hi, I'm planning on cycling to Kaliningrad from the UK this summer. I will be going through the countries: Netherlands, Germany and poland to get there.

However one of the biggest concerns for me right now is being able to pitch my tent in these countries (due to the legal reasons of trespassing). I will be bringing a light weight tent, and in Poland and Germany I will be cycling through very rural locations. Therefore lots of times there will not be campsites available (I'm happy to go to campsites if I pass them - but I'm not riding around looking for them), therefore the most likely option for me will be to pitch tents in random locations, e.g. private fields, parks, along canals etc.

Does anyone know (specifically for germany and poland) as I will be cycling in these countries for the longest, what the laws of trespassing are? and the punishments that relate to them,(if there are any)?

Are there hefty fines? or do the police just let you off if you're only camping for a day? If anyone has any experience or knowledge of the laws of sleeping in tents in these countries / tresspasing laws of Poland and Germany, then I would love to hear as I've only managed to find trespassing info from the UK, USA, Scandinavian and France.

In urban cities that I go pass such as (Berlin, Kaliningrad) I will stay at youth hostels, however due to not having a lot of money right now (am a student). i therefore plan to sleep in a tent.

Would appreciate any advice / information, or even websites that could help my research ! Thanks!

[JamesE]

I’ve asked a Polish friend… they didn’t know but are making inquiries on Facebook &c… will get back to you…

[Rob12345]

I’ve asked a Polish friend… they didn’t know but are making inquiries on Facebook &c… will get back to you…

Cheers James, I appreciate you doing that!

[psmiffy]

Every Pole I spoke to to who was not a landowner or holder said it was all right - every land holder I spoke to said I need permission and that it was not theirs to give

[edwin]

Hi Rob,

For Germany:

1. It is not allowed!
2. Nobody cares!

In some areas it is not possible because of the population density. Other areas are highly used by agriculture "sugar beat steppes", "corn deserts",...
A good way is to ask farmers if they know a spot where you pitch your tent for one night. Another good option are clearings in forests. But avoid the area near raised hides, hunters tend to show up very early in the morning and sometimes they might be not amused.

Gute Reise!

edwin

[vinyl_theif]

That’s pretty much what I found in Germany, and all other countries. If you are camping near a village - out of respect - ask a local, you may even be offered a lawn, but if not at least you’ve introduced yourself then should the old bill turn up said local may help diffuse any possible problem.

If camping near a farm ask the farmer. As edwin says, forest clearings prove a good option and the rural locations you intend to cycle should be plentiful. A solo cyclist free-camping, minding his own business is hardly seen as a threat so irrelevant to any laws the last thing most people would do is call the old bill.

[Rob12345]

Hi Rob,

For Germany:

1. It is not allowed!
2. Nobody cares!

In some areas it is not possible because of the population density. Other areas are highly used by agriculture "sugar beat steppes", "corn deserts",...
A good way is to ask farmers if they know a spot where you pitch your tent for one night. Another good option are clearings in forests. But avoid the area near raised hides, hunters tend to show up very early in the morning and sometimes they might be not amused.

Gute Reise!

edwin

Hi! when you say "Nobody cares" does this include the German police officers?

But good advice, thanks for taking the time to write this. I'll make an attempt to ask the locals if they know a spot, but unfortunately I can only ask them in English, as my German vocab is limited (hope this won't annoy people)...and thats good to know about the hides, I don't particularly want to annoy any hunters ha.

I should be fine in urban areas, as I plan to stay in youth hostels around these areas (e.g. Munster / and around Berlin)

Cheers for the comment though!

[Rob12345]

That’s pretty much what I found in Germany, and all other countries. If you are camping near a village - out of respect - ask a local, you may even be offered a lawn, but if not at least you’ve introduced yourself then should the old bill turn up said local may help diffuse any possible problem.

If camping near a farm ask the farmer. As edwin says, forest clearings prove a good option and the rural locations you intend to cycle should be plentiful. A solo cyclist free-camping, minding his own business is hardly seen as a threat so irrelevant to any laws the last thing most people would do is call the old bill.

Good points, more reason for me to ask the locals.

But unfortunately the problem with doing this is that I can't speak German or Polish very well. I know Germans are generally good with English, however in Poland I believe it may be difficult to ask where to stay, as I think the majority of polish can't speak English that well (from what I have heard, not sure the truth in this though)


Helpful comment though! Thanks

[Rob12345]

Every Pole I spoke to to who was not a landowner or holder said it was all right - every land holder I spoke to said I need permission and that it was not theirs to give

What do you mean landowners can't give permission for using their lands ? If they can't, who can? But I'm just going to trust that your polish contacts (that aren't landowners) are correct aha

[foxyrider]

There are quite a lot of campsites in Germany - a bit of planning won't see you straying very far to find one - 'haben sie eine platz for einer klein zelt?' generally gets a positive result, it might not be great German but its usually understood!

[psmiffy]

Every Pole I spoke to to who was not a landowner or holder said it was all right - every land holder I spoke to said I need permission and that it was not theirs to give

What do you mean landowners can't give permission for using their lands ? If they can't, who can? But I'm just going to trust that your polish contacts (that aren't landowners) are correct aha

I didnt say landowners - on the occasions I asked people living on the land they were unable to give permission - the times I asked people i came across if there were campsites in the area I was generally told "just find a field" - in the end i did what I do most places- found somewhere discreet before dark and left early -

Ive wild camped in many of the countries of Europe when it has been necessary and found it to be best just to be be discreet and leave no trace

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/pag ... 72957&v=3K

[edwin]

Hi Rob,

For Germany:

1. It is not allowed!
2. Nobody cares!

Hi! when you say "Nobody cares" does this include the German police officers?

Policemen are a "endangered species" in rural areas. I think in Germany, it's much more likely to be fined for ignoring a traffic light than for "wild camping". I'd even say a speed ticket on your bicycle is more likely.
I mean, use your brain: Don't camp on someones front lawn and trample down his roses. Don't camp on a graveyard (and don't mess with the zombies!). Just do not destroy anything.

I'll make an attempt to ask the locals if they know a spot, but unfortunately I can only ask them in English, as my German vocab is limited (hope this won't annoy people)

In the former west everyone looking below 60 years old should understand a decent amount of english. East of Harz or Elbe you have to find someone below 35-40. The older ones had to learn Russian at school. Just speak simple, slow and clear; words like "tent", "for one night" will be understood easily.

I should be fine in urban areas, as I plan to stay in youth hostels around these areas (e.g. Munster / and around Berlin)

I hope I don't provoke a [inappropriate word removed] storm , but Munster is a small town infamous for its large military trainig area. You want to go to Münster. Btw: military training camps are not good for camping, either.

edwin

[Miss M]

Hi Robb I don't think you will have any problems with wild camping in Poland (I'm from East Poland - there's plenty of wild camping spots there).

BTW, I'm planning on cycling from London to Poland in Summer and I'm interested to know what route/maps you are using?

Cheers

[bikerwaser]

Hi Rob

might be worth getting the question translated "is there anywhere nearby i can camp for the night ?" into Polish and German.

i'm sure you can find one or 2 Polish here in the UK . ha ha !

also probably best to learn the odd word anyway. i'm sure it would be appreciated.

all the best !

Bikrwaser

[davegtt]

I'm in Poland now and 3 people ( tents) wild camping is reasonably easy although we took the whole of the coastal path east to west and headed south from Gdansk. The coast is littered with campsites. The forests are patrolled by guards and camping is forbidden but I doubt you would get much hassle off them when they realise you only speak English. They wouldn't want to know. Although we have had to obey the laws as my girlfriend is Polish we could get in trouble if they saw her ID. I wouldn't think twice about setting camp, loads of places to set up once you've left the main tourist places imo. Don't worry about Poland is my advice.