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Wild camping in Austria: What are the laws?

Updated: May 19, 2023

In many parts of the world wild camping in remote areas is allowed or at least tolerated. But here in Austria it's different. Laws vary depending on the province.


For the purpose of this article we are not considering organised events such as Scout camps or festivals (contact the local authorities for permission), or large groups of people, but thinking about a couple of people planning to hike and wild camp in remote regions.


Before we begin

As you will discover, wild camping is generally not allowed in Austria. But the very fact that you are reading this means that you are considering it, so just to state what you probably already know, the basic rule of wild camping is:

Leave the area exactly as you found it. Do not light any fires. Be considerate and camp as remotely as possible to avoid problems. And in summer be very wary of thunderstorms. You do not want to be caught in a tent in the mountains with lightning around.

If someone was thinking of a long hike in the mountains, stopping somewhere remote, pitching tent at dusk, leaving again by 8am, and leaving no trace, they almost certainly wouldn't be caught by the authorities - but no matter where you are, a dog walker, jogger or mountain biker will probably go past you, so there is the risk of a rude comment at least!


Camping in forests

Camping in forests is prohibited throughout Austria by the Forstgesetz 1975 (Bundesgesetz) unless the landowner has given explicit consent.


Camping outside forests is not covered by national legislation. Regulations for camping outside campsites depend on the local province.


Camping in the mountains

In summary:

In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tirol and Vienna, camping outside campsites is prohibited. If you are caught you can be given an expensive fine. This is also the case generally in Germany and Italy.


In Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria and Vorarlberg there is no province-wide ban on wild camping, but the municipalities can set restrictions. In general, camping above the treeline outside fenced-in pastures may be allowed.

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Provinces where there is some acceptance of wild camping (green) and where it is explicitly forbidden (red).

Camping in protected areas

Some of the most attractive spots for a wild camping trip are protected areas ("Schutzgebieten"). Be aware that camping is strictly forbidden in these. This applies to national parks, nature conservation and special protection areas ("Nationalparks, Naturschutz- und Sonderschutzgebieten") - it is therefore strongly recommended that you do your research and know the status of the land before a tour.

A map of protected areas in the Alps can be found here. (alparc.org).


What is the punishment if you are caught?

If you are illegally wild camping you are committing an administrative violation and could be fined. The maximum fine is €14,500, but one can only assume that this would only be levied for people organising a massive illegal rave event in a nature reserve or something. A much lower fine would surely be more likely.


Of course, if you are wild camping somewhere very remote, pitching at sunset and moving on before 8am, it is hard to imagine the authorities reaching you.


Anyone applying for Austrian citizenship should perhaps be mindful though that they don't want to risk jeopardising their application by being fined. For example this phrase might be open to interpretation if you are unlucky: "Keine schwerwiegenden Verwaltungsübertretungen mit besonderem Unrechtsgehalt" (No serious administrative offences of a particularly unlawful nature). See here.


Exceptions in emergency

In all provinces an exception to any laws forbidding wild camping is made for an emergency bivouac. This is understood to be a one-time makeshift overnight camp in the event of bad weather, lack of daylight or an injury. A bivouac which is planned and not the result of an emergency situation is prohibited. Carrying an actual tent, sleeping mats and cooking equipment would make it hard to argue that you are making an unplanned emergency camp.


Wild camping laws in each province

The laws for different provinces are stated on this official website. They can be summarised as follows:

Vienna (Wien)

Camping is prohibited in outdoor public places outside of campsites.

Burgenland

Camping in the open countryside (outside towns and villages) is prohibited. Exceptions are camps by youth organisations and in the context of public outdoor events.

Carinthia (Kärnten)

Wild camping is forbidden.

Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)

Wild camping is forbidden.

Salzburg

Wild camping is not generally prohibited in Salzburg, but is regulated by laws at the municipal level.

The Salzburg Nature Conservation Act ("Salzburger Naturschutzgesetz") stipulates that wild alpine areas (uncultivated agricultural and forestry land above the treeline) are protected. Any activity that could interfere with these habitats requires approval from the authorities. Related to this is also the regulation that tourist activities ("Touristenverkehr") in the pasture and alpine area above the treeline are only permitted to the extent that alpine and pasture management is not damaged by this.


Somewhat contradictorily, the information on the official website (https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/freizeit_und_strassenverkehr/campen/Seite.3390006.html) concludes (my underlining):

"Es ist daher davon auszugehen, dass das Zelten im alpinen Ödland nicht verboten ist, solange es mit großer Rücksicht auf die Natur erfolgt." which translates as: "It can therefore be assumed that camping in the wild Alpine areas is not prohibited as long as it is done with great consideration for nature."

Styria (Steiermark)

Wild alpine areas ("alpine Ödland") above the treeline with the exception of alpine pastures are free for "tourist activities" ("Touristenverkehr") and can be entered by anyone". Overnight camping is therefore possible if there are no regionally restrictive arrangements.

Upper Austria

Camping outside official campsites in Upper Austria is generally prohibited without prior approval from the landowner.


However wild alpine areas above the treeline and which are not fenced-in pastures ("alpine Ödland") are "free for hikers" ("für den Fußwanderverkehr grundsätzlich frei"). Wild camping is therefore generally allowed in these areas.

Vorarlberg

Camping is not generally prohibited but the mayor of a municipality can prohibit camping outside of approved campsites so prior approval should be sought.


Hikers ("Fußgängerverkehr") may access "unproductive land" which is not fenced-in so long as no damage is caused and livestock is not harassed. This can be taken to mean that responsible wild camping is tolerated.

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Wild camping in Salzburg province

Mountain huts

As an alternative to wild camping consider staying in a mountain hut. There is a wealth of these in Austria. Many are owned by the Alpenverein and members get reduced prices. Advantages of staying in a mountain hut include great food and drink, a convivial atmosphere, and safety from thunderstorms. The problem though is that it's almost impossible to book a hut unless you do so months in advance. Huts do have a "Notlager" (emergency space) which might be floorspace in the restaurant but they can send you down or to another hut if there's still time before dark and fair weather.


For a searchable database of Alpenverein huts see: https://www.alpenverein.at/huetten/finder.php


References and further reading

Final note: The information provided in this article is a guide. Do not rely on it before setting out for a wild camping trip. Check the law in the region where you are hiking. If you are unsure, contact the local branch of the Alpenverein.


Many thanks to Emily Middleton for her advice and proof-reading ("lightning" not "lightening"!).

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