Camping packing list: mandatory items in the car when travelling

2 July, 2024

Your camping holiday is about to begin. Sunglasses, swimming trunks, and pajamas—have you started packing yet? If you’re hitting the road by car, however, your personal belongings aren’t the only important things on your packing list! You also need to make sure to think about all the required safety equipment. In this blog, I’ll share what items are mandatory to be present in your car for popular European holiday destinations.

Country Overview

• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Croatia
• Other European countries

Is a warning triangle mandatory in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, no specific safety product is actually mandatory in the car. However, it is required to use a warning triangle in certain situations, such as when your hazard lights are not working and your car cannot be easily noticed by other road users. Therefore, always carry a warning triangle with you. Additionally, we recommend having safety vests for all occupants, a first aid kit, and spare bulbs, although these are not mandatory. Make sure to add these to your camping packing list!

What is mandatory in the car in Belgium?

Always carry a safety vest in the car when traveling to or through Belgium, as it is required in case of an accident or breakdown. It’s best to pack a safety vest for each occupant in an easily accessible location. Additionally, you must have a warning triangle on board. Cars with Belgian plates, such as rental cars, must also have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

What must you have in the car when traveling to Germany?

In Germany, you must carry several mandatory items if you are driving a car with German plates:

• • • A warning triangle
    • A first aid kit
    • Winter tires
    • Snow chains (when indicated by signage)
    • A safety vest for the driver (within reach)
    • An emissions sticker (mandatory in many German cities, also with non-German plates)

We advise also carrying these items in your own car when traveling to or through Germany.

What is mandatory in the car in France?

In France, a warning triangle and safety vest are mandatory. Additionally, it is important to have winter tires with you. These are required from November 1 to March 31 when indicated by signage. Remember to also carry a spare wheel and spare bulbs. If a bulb fails, you must replace it immediately.

Also, consider the emissions sticker, which is increasingly required in many French cities.

What is mandatory in the car in Italy?

In Italy, a warning triangle and a safety vest for all occupants are mandatory. A first aid kit, spare tire, fire extinguisher, or spare bulbs are not required but are recommended. It is prohibited to carry and use radar detection equipment in your car, but a navigation system is allowed.

From November 15 to April 15, it is mandatory to use winter tires or snow chains in certain areas and on specific roads. From May 15 to October 15, you are not allowed to use winter tires.

What is mandatory in the car in Spain?

In Spain, a warning triangle (two if your car has Spanish plates) and a safety vest for the driver are mandatory. However, we recommend carrying a safety vest for each occupant. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, a fire extinguisher is also required.

What is mandatory in the car in Austria?

In Austria, several safety items are mandatory:

• • • A warning triangle
    • A first aid kit
    • A safety vest (mandatory for the driver)
    • Winter tires
    • Snow chains (when indicated by signage)

Want to know more about using winter tyres and snow chains in Austria and Switzerland? We tell you all about it in this blog.

What is mandatory in the car in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, only a warning triangle is mandatory, but we recommend also carrying safety vests.

What is mandatory in the car in Croatia?

In Croatia, several items are mandatory:

• • • A safety vest
    • A first aid kit
    • A warning triangle (two if towing a caravan or trailer)
    • Spare bulbs (not for cars with LED, neon, or xenon lighting)
    • A spare wheel or tire repair kit

Other European holiday countries

Each European holiday country has different regulations. If your favorite holiday destination is not listed in this blog, let us know. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and a safety vest for each occupant. Also, pay attention to the countries you will be traveling through. They may have different (additional) safety product requirements than your destination country. And don’t forget your toll vignettes and emissions stickers!

We wish you a wonderful holiday!