Google translation of the article here:-
The Portuguese Parliament approved, Friday, May 28, 2021, a relaxation of the regulations relating to motorhomes. Since January (and the entry into force of the reform of the highway code), it was forbidden to sleep in a motorhome outside of areas and campsites. Several bills were before parliament for a vote, and now need to be the subject of parliamentary committee work.
The initiative came from the opposition parties: to organize a new parliamentary debate on the ban on motorhomes. The jn.pt website tells us the story of these debates, until their conclusion: "Parliament approved the PSD, BE, PCP and PEV bills which aim to modify the overnight stay for motorhomes". Friday May 28, a discussion allowed to put forward the different points of view. The arguments in favor of the ban are well known: avoid regrouping of motorhomes, sometimes of long duration, especially by the sea. The south and southwest of Portugal are the first concerned (Algarve, Costa Vicentina, Alentejo).
But in the end it was the opposition's arguments that won the day. The economic interest of small traders, of course, who are the first to benefit from the mass arrival of motorhomes. Then, the inconsistency of the "overnight concept" (to use the phrase used in Portuguese newspapers): people are prohibited from sleeping at night in a motorhome, but not in a car. Finally, there are not enough reception facilities in Portugal.
Intermediate regulation soon?
The final word belongs to the president of the Portuguese Motorhome Federation (FPA), quoted by the news website jn.pt: "Western European countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, do not have prohibitive legislation. "
FOR MOTORHOMES IN PORTUGAL, "IT'S ALMOST A COMPLETE VICTORY"
The president of the Portuguese Motorhome Federation, Manuel Bragança, welcomes the decision taken by the Portuguese parliamentarians. Friday, May 28, it was decided to relax the recent reform of the highway code, which is very strict towards motorhomes.
You will find the details of this file in several of our articles. In Portugal: ban becomes the rule, we explain the new Portuguese motorhome regulations. In our article Portugal to change its mind, we announce the decision of the Portuguese parliament.