Travelling by motorhome in Germany - all you need to know

Writer: Helena Bergström

What is it like travelling by motorhome in Germany? We've travelled by motorhome in Germany many times, and here we are again, in our sixth week in this great motorhome country. If you're curious about taking your campervan to Germany, but aren't so used to it, we're here to answer any questions you might have!

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What are the entry rules for visiting Germany?

To enter Germany, you need a valid passport or national ID card. During pandemic times, a covid certificate and/or negative covid test may also be required. As these rules are constantly changing, and can also vary from one federal state to another, you need to check what applies when you are travelling.

Which ferries go to Germany?

There are a number of ferry lines running directly from Sweden to Germany:

• Gothenburg - Kiel (Stena Line)
• Trelleborg - Travemünde (TT-Line)
• Trelleborg - Rostock (Stena Line and TT-Line)
• Trelleborg - Sassnitz (FRS)
• Malmö - Travemünde (Finnlines)

Another option is to first travel to Denmark (by bridge or ferry) and then continue with the motorhome to Germany, for example by ferry from Rödby to Puttgarden.

What happens at customs?

From another EU country, such as Germany, you can bring in the amount of alcohol and tobacco for your own or your family's private use. Approximate reference values for quantities are available on the Customs website.

Where ferries dock in Germany, you will often find a 'BorderShop', a large department store selling tax-exempt products, especially alcohol and sweets.

How are the roads in Germany?

The roads are good, but many major roads can be long and boring. Of course, you can get off the main roads and find smaller and more cosy roads. Germany also has around 150 so-called 'holiday routes' - that is, routes with different themes such as castle, fairy tale or wine themes.

Do you pay motorway tolls?

When driving a motorhome in Germany, you do not have to pay any motorway tolls, regardless of whether your motorhome weighs less than or more than 3.5 tonnes. This is because only goods vehicles with a total weight of more than 7.5 tonnes pay motorway tolls in Germany.

How is the traffic?

German roads are often fast, especially on the Autobahn. At any time, there can be stops or traffic jams (stau), so you need to be alert at all times.

What are the speed limits for motorhomes in Germany?

If you have a motorhome with a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes, 100 km/h on roads and "free speed" (130 km/h is the maximum recommended speed) on motorways, unless otherwise specified. For those with a motorhome weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, 80 km/h on roads and 100 km/h on motorways. Signed overtaking bans for heavy lorries also apply to heavier motorhomes.

What are the driving licence rules for motorhomes in Germany?

Your Swedish driving licence is valid in Germany just like at home. It may be useful to know that in Sweden we have a transitional rule which means that if you obtained a Swedish driving licence before 1 July 1996, which has not been withdrawn, you may drive motor homes over 3.5 tonnes provided that they are classified as a class II passenger car and not as a lorry.

This rule also applies when driving a motorhome in Germany with a Swedish driving licence, but the German police may not be aware of this. To be on the safe side, you can bring a table of equivalences as proof, which you can download from Transport Agency website. 

What happens when driving a motorhome weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in Germany?

Since there are no motorway tolls when driving a motorhome in Germany, regardless of the weight of the motorhome, driving in Germany is easy even with motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.

What you may need to consider is that with a heavier motorhome you will have to comply with different speed limits and carry a portable warning puck with a flashing yellow light. Of course, you'll also need to keep an eye out for any restriction signs on smaller bridges and the like.

Are there any environmental rules to consider when driving a motorhome in Germany?

In some German cities, central areas are classified as environmental zones (Umweltzonen). In these zones, older diesel vehicles are banned, and to drive here you need an environmental sticker showing that the vehicle's particulate emissions are below a certain level.

You can order the sticker (Umweltplakette) in advance from DEKRA. If you have forgotten to order the sticker in advance, you can also get it locally in Germany, for example at "TÜV NORD" stations, which you can find around the country.

Do you need to carry anything special in your motorhome when driving in Germany?

In addition to the aforementioned environmental sticker, you should carry a reflective vest, warning triangle and first aid kit in your motorhome. If you drive one with a total weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, you should also carry a portable warning puck with a flashing yellow light.

Also, remember to keep cash on hand at all times. In Germany, cash is still widely used and you may need coins to pay for electricity or water in car parks, for example.

How much does it cost to refuel?

The cost of refuelling is difficult to answer because it depends on where and what you fill up with, and because prices change. Currently, the price of diesel is about 6 kr lower per litre compared to Sweden.

How to fill/refuel LPG?

Replacing standard Swedish LPG cylinders abroad can be difficult, as LPG systems are different. The best way may be to install a fixed LPG tank, which can be filled in many places around Europe.

We only have standard Swedish LPG bottles, so we do our best to make sure we don't run out of LPG while travelling. As long as you only use LPG for refrigeration and cooking (and not for heating), two full tubes can last for months.

Can you free camp with a motorhome in Germany?

In Germany, it is allowed to stay overnight in a motorhome parked on the street or in a car park, as long as there is no prohibition sign. It is also allowed to stay overnight in motorway lorry parks.

We feel that it is relatively easy to free ride in Germany as there are many large car parks, both in cities and in the countryside, with no prohibition signs. If you want to free camp on land that is not a car park or street, you need the landowner's permission.

How do car parks work in Germany?

When it comes to caravan sites, Germany is a great country. There are plenty of car parks in Germany - ranging from simple places with no services to places with every service imaginable.

Usually you pay at a vending machine, and very often you pay in cash. Sometimes you can also pay by card. Sometimes all services on the site are included in the daily fee. Other times you pay a slightly lower basic fee and then pay for the electricity or water you use. To find pitches, use the book 'Bordatlas' or an app such as CamperContact or Park4Night.

What are the campsites like in Germany?

Not only are there plenty of pitches in Germany, but also plenty of campsites. Campsites range from small and personal to large with lots of activities for children and adults. Many times you can arrive spontaneously, but in high season you may need to book in advance, especially in popular locations.

How much do pitches and campsites cost in Germany?

It is difficult to give a general answer on the price of pitches and campsites, as it varies a lot. During this trip, we have, among other things, stood on pitches that cost around 12 euros/day, but then you had to pay extra for electricity and water. Places where electricity and water are included have instead had a slightly higher total price.

How to pay?

In Germany you need both cards and cash. If you don't want to incur unnecessarily high costs while travelling, choose a card without exchange surcharges. The Northmill card is an example of a card that is completely free of charges both at home and abroad. Travel insurance is included and you become a customer in 3 minutes with BankID. Click here to access the registration of a Northmill card.

Can you manage in English?

We don't speak German, so yes, you can get by in English. However, not everyone speaks English, so sometimes you have to use gestures and "sign language". It can also work to try out words in Swedish and German - our languages are related, so it's not uncommon to understand each other!

Menus in restaurants are not always in English, and information texts in museums may or may not be in English. Guided tours in English are not very common, but the chances are higher if you book in advance. Some also tell us that they had guided tours in English before the pandemic, and that they expect this to come back.

What do you need to consider in terms of safety?

Germany is generally a safe and secure country for travelling, but it is always wise to check the current security situation when visiting another country. You can find up-to-date information via Embassy travel information on Germany or by downloading the "UD Travel Ready" app.

To protect yourself from theft and burglary, it is good to think about where you park your motorhome and to be careful with your valuables. You can also choose, for example, to get an alarm for your motorhome and good locks for your bicycles. Don't forget to check your travel insurance (home insurance) and motorhome insurance.

What is available in shops and restaurants?

The selection in the supermarkets is fairly similar to that in Sweden, although there are of course differences. In restaurants, it is common to find traditional (hearty!) German dishes, but you will of course also find international food such as pizza, pasta, salad and more. Portions are often large.

What do you want to see and do when travelling by motorhome in Germany?

Germany is a large and diverse country that has a lot to offer, whether you're into nature, culture, history, food and drink or entertainment. You'll find plenty of inspiration and travel tips on our Germany page: