Government Says Rooftop Tent Rentals Are Against the Law, Illegalizing Existing Companies
Bruno Viveiros, owner of 44 Campers Madeira, a company that rents 4x4 vehicles with rooftop tents, says he has always operated with annual camping permits from the regional forestry institute. But yesterday, the secretary of tourism made a firm statement: renting vehicles with rooftop tents is illegal under current law, despite companies offering such services in Madeira for many years.
Business Owner Defends Responsible Tourism Model
Viveiros regrets the recent controversy and wants to work with the government to find solutions. “We are a small company with just five vehicles,” he said in a radio interview. “We don’t want to fill the island -we focus on quality, not quantity.” According to him, 44 Campers Madeira guides its customers carefully and only allows camping in previously approved locations, which are mapped and shared with guests.
He insists his service is not comparable to unregulated camping by tourists with basic tents. “Our clients pay for a premium experience. We offer advice, safety, and respect for the island. This is not low-cost, careless tourism,” he said.
These vehicles usually go to mountainous areas. Every year we request a camping permit from the forestry institute, and there has never been a problem. Our goal has always been quality. We stay in contact with our clients daily, advising them on which routes they can take and at what times to avoid crowds.
44 Campers, RTP Madeira
No Plans for Legal Overnight Zones, as Renting is Illegal, Says Government Secretary
The government, however, does not plan to change the rules or create legal zones for these vehicles to stay overnight. “There is no intention to allow or regulate this type of use,” Eduardo Jesus stated. According to his statement, renting cars with rooftop tents is not permitted altogether.
That type of practice is illegal — in other words, no one should be testing or renting cars with rooftop tents, because that is illegal in our context. In fact, with the emergence of these circumstances, the authorities now have the power to apply the traffic code, and they are precisely using the traffic code to enforce order.
Eduardo Jesus, RTP Madeira, May 2025
A somewhat delusional statement, considering that these companies have established themselves and offered their services legally, until now, apparently, and without changes to the law.
For businesses considering investment in Madeira, this kind of legal uncertainty is a clear red flag - no serious investor will risk capital in a place where the rules can shift overnight without due process or legal clarification.
Longstanding Practice Now Under Fire
Rooftop tent rentals have existed on the island for several years. Companies such as Hertz have advertised them as early as 2021, marketing them as a flexible and affordable way to travel. For businesses like 44 Campers Madeira, the shift appears frustrating. “We’ve always worked with permits,” Viveiros said. “The problem comes from people who camp anywhere without care or permission.”
Source: RTP Madeira
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