Motorhome camping Code of Conduct

MAIN RULE - Being motorhome campers does not exempt us from our rights and duties as a citizen and brings additional challenges in our relationship with society and the environment.

Knowing how to travel in a motorhome involves the adoption of a basic code of conduct, which leads to a fair acceptance by public powers and by the visited populations.

Motorhome camping is not camping. The concept and exercise of camping is legally prohibited when practiced outside the appropriate places destined for it. Exposing camping materials outside the motorhome fits the camping concept. These materials include tables, chairs, awnings, portable stoves and other camping materials, as well as opening windows that surpass the motorhome external perimeter limit.

IN CIRCULATION - Drive through villages, towns and cities across the world, in accordance to the driving rules applicable.

The drive should be adapted to the characteristics of the vehicle and transported load. When traveling as a group, motorhome campers should pay special attention to the distance between vehicles to allow an easy overtaking by other drivers.

Keep flush valves tightly sealed at all times to avoid any kind of spill.

Plan technical stoppages for emptying the holding tank and for refueling in the proper locations.

PARKING – Motorhomes can park in any public places reserved for vehicles of the same category and weight, as long as road rules and active legislation are followed.

Public parking spots should be used in a rotating system to give every citizen the opportunity of parking for a certain amount of time.

When choosing a parking spot you should be mindful of:

• The respect for the visual preservation of monuments, churches, commercial places or other spaces considered noble;
• The respect for the maintenance of minimal distance necessary for the easy circulation of other vehicles and citizens;
• For prolonged stays, regular parking spots should not be an option for responsible motorhome drivers.

Whenever possible you should avoid large concentrations of motorhomes (except in organized concentrations) as well as parking by the entrance of camping parks.

MAINTENANCE - The discharge of soapy waters and chemical WC and the water supplying should be done in the appropriate locations, such as service areas (ASA), service stations (ESA), and public or private sanitary instalations. Rainwater networks ("gutters") should not be used for these discharges.

Take the care of assuring that the space used for discharge of soapy waters and chemical WC remains in good hygiene.

Besides these norms, good conduct behaviour demanded of every citizen should also be observed, such as:

• Place trash in dumpsters or trash bins;
• Leave the places where you parked, spent the night or camped in as clean as possible;
• Do not bother with noise;
• Do not let animals disturb or dirty, keeping them on a leash;
• Be cordial and respectful while maintaining the camaraderie typical of this type of tourism.

Legislation

Decree Law No. 66/2021 of August 24th: Modifies motorhome overnight parking rules, changing traffic rules and trafic sign regulations.

http://www2.icnf.pt/portal/ap Rede Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (RNAP). Protected areas in mainland Portugal.
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