The rules of camping in Italy: the mini introductory guide

Those who love adventures in the middle of nature must necessarily know the rules for camping and staying in a certain place. In fact, outdoor trips give a great sense of freedom : however, it is good to know its limits so as not to turn a pleasant experience into a nightmare.
First of all, it should be noted that in Italy there is no unitary regulation on camping at national level, as the task of regulating this activity has been entrusted to the various local authorities.
Therefore, Regions, Provinces, Municipalities, communities have their own rules .
This means that what is allowed in one place may be forbidden in another: here is our mini introductory guide on camping rules , which will help you clarify things!

1. THE CONSTITUTION
First of all, we need to start from the Constitution which establishes the principle of free movement of every citizen in any part of the national territory, obviously except for the limits that the law generally establishes for reasons of health or safety.
This means that it is possible to move freely throughout the state.
This freedom , however, is not absolute : obviously you cannot camp in a private area, without the express consent of the owner, otherwise you would risk incurring criminal offenses, such as trespassing (art. 614 of the criminal code).
It is also not possible to camp in city squares or in parks or public gardens unless this is explicitly permitted.

2. THE TOURISM CODE
Having made these clarifications which are not trivial, it is also useful to recall the Tourism Code which deals with campsites and tourist villages, both considered as open-air accommodation facilities, dictating a regulation of a general nature.
For example, within this context the difference between holiday villages and camping is important.
The tourist villages are aimed at tourists mostly without their own means of accommodation.
On the other hand, campsites are considered as accommodation facilities open to the public, with unitary management, set up and equipped on enclosed areas intended for the rest and stay of tourists mainly equipped with their own mobile means of accommodation.
However, this distinction is not always so clear-cut and obvious for many reasons.
For example, more and more often you see pitches equipped for the rest and stay of tourists with their own mobile means of accommodation.
Furthermore, the trend of mobile homes has also recently spread in Italy, i.e. mobile homes such as caravans or caravans, or maxi caravans, motor caravans or campers.
These solutions do not require the issuance of a building permit in order to be installed but must still comply with regional and municipal planning and building regulations.

3. FREE CAMPING OR BIVOUAC?
Wild camping offers great freedom of movement. However not always this form of
camping is permitted.
It is therefore necessary to distinguish between camping and bivouac .
We speak of " camping " when the stay in the tent is more than 48 hours in the same place.
On the other hand, we speak of a " bivouac " when one stops temporarily, often during the night, therefore always removing the tent during the day.

Many local regulations govern only camping: therefore bivouacs, when not expressly mentioned and prohibited, must be considered permitted.
Obviously, littering and abandoning waste is still prohibited.

4. HOW TO ORIENTATE TO AVOID RISKS
If you're planning a wilderness trip, you need to understand if the area you've chosen allows wild camping.
Here are some steps that might help you:
1. Consult the regulation displayed on the special display boards at the entrance gates or by consulting the website of each park, picnic area or protected area;
2. Check local, municipal and regional regulations and/or resolutions;
3. If necessary, contact the competent office of the area or the reference body for clarifications and information;
4. If necessary, obtain authorization from the competent authority in the ways and forms provided for by the local regulations.

5. FREE CAMPING RULES
Regardless of the place, there are common rules that must necessarily be respected: otherwise your trip could turn into an experience not to be repeated and a harbinger of even serious consequences.
Here are the main rules that you should always keep in mind:
I. Do not light fires unless strictly necessary: ​​the small fire can easily get out of your control and start a fire, exposing not only yourself and those around you to danger but also damaging the environment and the natural ecosystem.
II. Don't abandon waste : in addition to being a sign of civilization, collecting waste rather than abandoning it serves to protect the environment and to leave it intact also for those who will come after you.
III. Keep your survival gear in order , it could serve you in sudden moments of difficulty.
IV. Never leave sharp or dangerous objects unattended .
V. Double check that you have collected everything before leaving the area!

With this, we hope we have cleared your mind a little while waiting for new, more specific articles on camping rules!

You just have to enjoy your trip and remember: dream, live and travel .