Everything you need to know when motorhoming in Italy

Stretching beaches, snowy mountain peaks, rolling hills full of flowers, historic cities and world-renowned cuisine: Italy has it all. It's no surprise that it's a popular holiday destination with many people. Is your next motorhome trip to Italy? Or are you travelling through Italy to your holiday destination? Then read this information about motorhoming in Italy first, so you are well prepared for the road ahead.  You can download and print the PDF here and read all the information at your leisure.

Overnight stops

Looking for an overnight stay in Italy with a motorhome? Staying overnight is permitted in specially designated parking areas for motorhomes and on campsites. Use our Campercontact app to find motorhome sites in Italy. In Italy you can stay overnight at normal parking areas, including those along the motorways. Wild camping and motorhoming is also permitted, with the consent of the landowner. There are 4 exceptions:

• Not less than 1 kilometre from a built-up area
• Not within 50 meters of main roads
• Not within 100 meters of historical or artistic monuments
• Not within 150 metres of places where drinking water is obtained  

Emergency telephone number

Ambulance: 118
Police: 113
Fire department: 115
Emergency telephone number: 112 Please note: In many parts of Italy 112 is the number of the local gendarmerie - the Carabinieri. Chances are that English will not spoken or spoken badly. And the moment it's clear what help you need you'll be redirected to one of the other numbers. In case of an emergency, it is therefore advisable to call one of the above numbers directly.

Compulsory to bring

Warning triangle, reflective jacket for driver and passengers.

It is recommended to bring a two- or three-pole adaptor plug. 

Roads and traffic

Speed limits

Speed limits in Italy for a motorhome:

• Within built-up area ≤ 3,5 t: 50 km/h
• Within built-up area > 3,5 ton: 50 km/h
• Outside built-up area ≤ 3.5 tons: 90 km per hour
• Outside built-up area > 3.5 tons: 80 km per hour
• Motorway ≤ 3.5 tons: 130 km per hour
• Motorway> 3.5 tons: 100 km per hour
• Indication of fine up to 20 km per hour: from €68

Speed camera warning

Speed camera warnings via the navigation system are prohibited in Italy. However, the indication of danger zones in a navigation system is permitted.

Additional load

In Italy, any additional load on your motorhome cannot not extend at the front or the sides. At the rear, the load may not extend to more than a maximum of 30% of the length of the motorhome/trailer. This also includes the length of the tow bar and drawbar. Excess cargo needs to have a 50x50cm square reflective board with 5 red and 4 white diagonal stripes. This sign must be made of aluminium or metal. There is a fine if the sign does not comply with Italian directives See the example below. At night, the additional load must also be fitted with a red light.

Driving in winter

Winter tyres and snow chains are mandatory if indicated by a sign. In the event of an accident with a motorhome that is not adapted to winter conditions, the driver may be held (partly) liable. Snow chains are compulsory in the Aosta Valley between 15 October and 15 April. Winter tyres are also compulsory in South Tyrol, in the municipality of Bozen and on the Brenner motorway. So make sure you bring snow chains here.

Tolls

You will find more information about the toll roads in Italy on Autostrade.

Other traffic rules

During the day, dipped headlights are compulsory outside built-up areas and in tunnels.

Environment

Low Emission Zones

You will encounter low emission zones in various cities in Italy. You can drive into these zones if you have an Ecopass. The price of this pass varies according to the emissions level of the motorhome.  More information about the low emission zones in Italy.   

Low traffic zones

In Italy, there are many areas where motor vehicles have restricted access. These are called 'zonas traffico limitato (ZTL)'. These are in place to limit the exhaust emission at these, often historic, locations. You can recognise the zones by the sign below (on the right side of the picture). The bottom sign shows which exceptions apply. The zones are often accessible to people with disabilities and local residential traffic. There are cameras located after these signs that register cars entering the area and photograph the license plates. Vehicles that are not allowed to drive in the zone will be fined €110 by the European Minicipality Outscourcing (hired by the government). And you may receive more than one if you have been driving round in circles.

Report a change?

The information on this page is checked regularly. However, it is possible that the regulations have changed in the meantime. All information on this page is therefore subject to change. Have you discovered an error? Please let us know via our contact form and we will, if necessary, amend it as soon as possible.