Brits planning European road trips risk fines of up to £21,000 for using – or even just possessing – dash cams that violate privacy laws in four European countries.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L., warns drivers that Portugal has joined Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg in banning dash cams, with authorities treating in-vehicle recording as illegal surveillance.
“It’s normal for tourists not to know every rule when visiting a country for a short visit, but there are certain laws they must be aware of. Unlike the UK, where dash cams are legal and widely used, these four European countries treat them as privacy violations regardless of how the footage is used. In some cases, just having one on display could land you in trouble.
“Portugal, for instance, has adopted one of the strictest stances on dash cam use – simply having one visible or stored in your vehicle could result in police action.
“Luxembourg and Austria take similar approaches under data protection laws, with Austria imposing the steepest penalties – fines of up to €23,000 (approximately £21,000).”
The bans affect all vehicles with recording systems, which means Teslas may not be the best vehicles to drive in these countries, as their cars include built-in dash cameras as standard equipment for Autopilot and security features.
Tesla’s camera system, designed for Autopilot functions and security monitoring, operates continuously when the vehicle is in use – a feature that directly conflicts with these countries’ privacy laws.
Porcar recommends that Tesla owners research each country’s laws before travelling in Europe and consult with Tesla about temporarily deactivating camera systems when entering restricted zones.
“A British driver entering Portugal from Spain – where dash cams are permitted – may unknowingly break the law the moment they cross the border. These inconsistent regulations create serious risks for summer travellers.”
“The safest approach is to assume these cameras could cause legal problems in these countries and take preventive steps before your trip begins. The last thing you want is to have your summer holiday ruined by unexpected fines or legal issues.”