en 
The new law regarding parking for motorhomes, which establishes that outside protected areas, overnight stays are allowed “for a maximum period of 48 hours in the same municipality”, entered into force on 24 August but was only announced on 23 August.
Law 66/2021, which modifies the regime for parking and overnight parking for motorhomes, changing the Highway Code and the Traffic Signalling Regulation, was published in Diário da República on 23 August.
The decree was promulgated by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on 6 August, after being approved in the Assembly of the Republic on 22 July with the PCP and PEV votes against, the abstention of BE, PAN, IL and Chega, and the votes in favour of the remaining parliamentary benches.
In a final global vote, the deputies made viable the replacement text presented by the parliamentary committee on Economy, Innovation, Public Works and Housing regarding the parking and parking regime for motorhomes included in the Highway Code, namely articles 48 and 50 -THE.
According to the law, in relation to article 50-A, “the overnight stay and parking of motorhomes or similar are prohibited in areas of the Natura 2000 Network, protected areas and areas covered by the Coastal Plans, except in the places expressly authorised for this purpose”.
“In the rest of the territory and in the absence of municipal regulation for the activity, motorhomes approved by the IMT - Institute of Mobility and Transport are allowed to stay overnight for a maximum period of 48 hours in the same municipality, except in places expressly authorised for this purpose, for which there is no limit on overnight stays”, reads the text published today.
The diploma maintains the distinction of the amount of the fine for those who violate the rules which “is sanctioned with a fine of €60 to €300”, unless they are fined in areas of the Natura 2000 network, protected areas and areas covered by the Coastal Waterfront Planning Plans, in which case “the fine is €120 to €600”.
The diploma also determines that, after notification of the infractions, the offender can proceed with the voluntary payment of the fine immediately, a situation that “corresponds to the payment of a fine for the minimum amount”.
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This is fantastic news and a step in the right direction. Having recently purchased a motor home in Portugal it was disappointing when the initial law was introduced. I agree something needed to be done regarding long stayers who ruin it for the genuine motor home travellers, this update should do that. I have never seen any motor home dump rubbish or excrement, in fact I have on several occasions witnessed the opposite where they have picked up litter not dropped by them. Portugal has a lack of free / affordable places to park. The planning / licensing laws should be relaxed in order to try and introduce more of these areas. In France there are an abundance of free aires which increases the economy of the town.
By Lee Tunnicliffe from Lisbon on 27 Aug 2021, 07:51
Obey or pay. Not only small business are being destroyed, also motorhome tourism is being intentionally destroyed, to "save the environment", while locals take a dump wherever they want in nature, and leave their rubbish behind, while blaming motorhomes....
By Fred Doe from Algarve on 27 Aug 2021, 10:37
Could someone publish a plan of where not to go.
Travelling motorhomers are not sure of what areas are permitted.
We just to want the be free and toe the line…
By Charles Graham from UK on 27 Aug 2021, 21:23
The law does not go far enough.Anyone violating it should have their motorhome seized and crushed.
Terrible eyesores that think they can just park wherever they please.
Try driving on the N125,or any smaller roads when one of these monsters is clogging it up and pumping out particulates.
By James from Algarve on 27 Aug 2021, 22:41
In NZ a vehicle with a ‘self containment’ permit is allowed to park overnight at a large number of locations. Those without this permit must use approved sites. The self containment means the facilities of a toilet and waste water retention. This largely prevents modified trades vans from parking up and using the bush for toileting. As usual, the law makers target the whole population of campers instead of those causing the problem.
By Ian from Lisbon on 28 Aug 2021, 06:21
Portugal has a lack of free / affordable places to park. The planning / licensing laws should be relaxed in order to try and introduce more of these areas. In France there are an abundance of free aires which increases the economy of the town.
By Lee Tunnicliffe from Lisbon on 27 Aug 2021, 07:51 .. Why free?
By George Benedik Benedik from Algarve on 28 Aug 2021, 09:32
We sail for Santander with our motorhome tomorrow. Originally we had planned to visit and tour Portugal. We became concerned about the new reduction in overnight stops. Last time we toured Portugal we did not find it easy to find stopping places. Consequently, we have changed our tour and are now visiting France focusing on there "Beautiful Villages" with overnight Aires. We love Portugal and the Portuguese but we do not want to run the risk of inadvertently parking overnight in the wrong place and being fined. When Portugal has more better quality campsites and overnight stops we will return.
By Roger Hollingsworth from UK on 28 Aug 2021, 10:32
Unfotunate for the law abiding campers however a tightening up of the law is welcome in order to discourage the dirty heaps of rust on wheels driven by the "crusties"from northern europe. One should also ask how these countries allow these heaps of rubish to drive on the roads!!!!Portugal is not for cheap tourism!!I only hope that the fines and penalties will be upheld .
By Richard Jeremy Mason from Algarve on 29 Aug 2021, 11:15
nonsensical rule, why 48 hours in unlicenced parking? Campers should be moved on immediately. A private plot of land has been cleared close to our house and immediately the campers moved in, over the summer it has gone from 1 per night to 6+, even though there is a perfectly good camp zone available with vacancies at a rate of less than 5Eu per night. Have called the GNR several times to move them on but to no avail so now we have trespassers leaving their rubbish which blows into our gardens and other non sanitary effluents left behind. If camper owners cant respect private property fine them. The GNR needs to get out there and start to enact laws against trespass.
By JOha from Other on 10 Sep 2021, 12:59