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Dash Cam Legality EU
Can I Use a Dash Cam in Europe?
Using a dash cam while driving can provide a number of benefits, including increased awareness and smarter decision-making. But it can also result in penalties if drivers don’t follow the rules and regulations with the area.
With EU countries having different dash cam laws, it’s important to understand if it’s legal to use a dash cam in each country, rather than be surprised by a harsh penalty. While there are strong arguments in favor of dash cam usage, opposition to them is typically based on claims that they interfere with data protection laws.
Research Dash Cam Laws When Planning Vacations
Using a dash cam on vacation can be a wonderful way to document your journey and capture special memories, especially on some of the most scenic drives in the world like the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Les Corniches in France, or Villach Alpine Road in Austria. As tempting as it may be, drivers should check local ordinances about whether it’s legal to use a dash cam, as well as dash cam positioning guidance. While some countries do allow drivers to use a dash cam, where it’s placed on your windshield can affect whether you incur a fine.
EU citizens and foreigners with a Schengen visa can move freely between Schengen countries, meaning there are no border crossing checks. Drivers will simply see a road sign informing them that they’re leaving one country and arriving in the next. On rural roads, there may not even be a sign. If a driver isn't paying attention, a sign can be easily missed, and one could find themselves being pulled over without knowing they’d passed into a country where dash cam usage is not allowed.
Although the UK is no longer officially part of the European Union, the UK does allow the private use of dash cams. Since drivers can easily travel by vehicle between the UK and mainland Europe by ferry or train, it’s important to check laws between your starting and final destination.
Although this was the highest fine we found during our research, Austria once imposed a law to fine dash cam users €10,000 for a violation! Since the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became applicable, the Data Protection Authority (DPA) recently published guidelines on how to lawfully use dash cams. Dash cam laws, designed to protect privacy, often have caveats to how footage can be used, edited, and shared. The below information serves as a guide, but it’s important to research the most up-to-date regulations on dash cam usage before documenting a journey.
Learn more about European dash cam laws to prepare for your trip.
|
Country |
Legal? |
Details |
|
UK |
Yes |
Can’t obscure driver’s field of vision. |
|
Spain |
Yes |
Can’t obscure driver’s field of vision.
|
|
France |
Yes |
Private use only. Banned from uploading public footage. Those involved technically be must informed that they are being videoed. |
|
Belgium |
Yes |
Private use only. Banned from uploading public footage. |
|
Germany |
Yes |
Public footage must obscure/blur personal imagery to protect privacy. Courts can use as evidence. Can’t obscure driver’s field of vision. Loop function mandatory. |
|
Italy |
Yes |
Use for private purposes is permitted. Can’t obscure driver’s field of vision. |
|
Portugal |
Illegal |
Fines in place. Possession forbidden. |
|
Poland |
Legal |
Private use only. |
|
Hungary |
Legal |
Footage must be removed 5 days after recording. All personal id must be hidden. Only permitted in low resolution – HD not FHD. |
|
Czech Republic |
Legal |
Only permitted in low resolution – HD not FHD.
|
|
Denmark |
Legal |
Anybody on video should be informed they are being recorded. |
|
Sweden |
Legal |
Drivers need to be able to remove the device easily and delete video clips. Dash cam can only be activated if you're in the car. If it activates (e.g. by someone being close to the car) when you're not in the car, it's considered surveillance camera and thus illegal without explicit permission. |
|
Austria |
Legal |
Strict guidelines in place. Check updated laws. |
|
Luxembourg |
Illegal |
Legal to have, illegal to use. Fines in place. |
|
The Netherlands |
Legal |
Privacy restrictions. |
|
Greece |
Legal |
Private use permitted. Public video illegal, only admissible as evidence in person accused of crime. |
|
Croatia |
Legal |
Can’t obscure driver’s field of vision. Privacy restrictions. |
|
Switzerland |
Illegal |
Use is prohibited, driver needs a reason to film and must inform every person who is filmed. Cannot be used for travel documentation or entertainment. |
|
Norway |
Legal |
Private use only, can’t obstruct view. |
|
Iceland |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Malta |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Denmark |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Serbia |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Finland |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Slovenia |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Slovakia |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Lithuania |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Estonia |
Legal |
Private use only |
|
Latvia |
Legal |
Private use only |