Portugal has proposed new laws for motorhomes that motorhome owners say are an uncalled for attack on a popular vacation and living option. The new laws would sharply restrict where motorhomes could be parked and how long they can stay.
An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 homes on wheels visit annually, which motorhome association leaders point out means "millions of Euros" for the economy. They complain they are being treated unfairly compared to others.
For example, they say, the new laws prohibit motorhomes from overnighting in many places where it is perfectly legal to sleep in a car, and bar them from parking in parking lots within 500 meters of beaches, even if they are just stopped to swim, not to overnight. The law also includes a tracking system to allow authorities to know the exact location of each motorhome.
The association plans to appeal to the legislature and president for changes, then the Constitutional Court and if not successful, it will sue in the European courts, claiming that the new laws violate basic rights.
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