European Tiny House Builders

A Future In European Tiny House Life

There are many countries throughout Europe where you can live and travel in a tiny house at your leisure. While the modern tiny house trend originated in the United States, several countries across Europe have begun to adopt the movement as well, each in their own way.

The modern genesis of tiny homes originated as a reaction to the large home sizes in the U.S., but Europeans have been living in smaller footprints for way longer. The average American home is around 240 square meters, while the average European home is 130 square meters; that’s a big difference!

Tiny house culture takes on a different meaning for each European country. For some countries like Iceland or Scotland, the idea of micro homes or small houses has been innate to their culture for centuries in the form of earth bermed turf homes or Romani vardo wagons.

Other countries like England, France, Ireland, Romania, and Slovenia have followed in the United States’ footsteps and taken to the modern tiny house movement. There are so many forms of tiny homes throughout Europe, each with their own country-specific character and charm.

Tiny House Building Laws In Europe

The latest data from the United Nations shows that Europe is comprised of 44 total countries, with only 27 countries being part of the European Union. Furthermore, each of these countries are grouped according to their geographical regions and subregions, each with its own respective building codes at the national level as well as all the way down to the city level.

For countries in the European Union, there’s a regulatory framework that includes an overarching technical standard, health and safety standard, and the right to free movement for workers and construction products.

However, this baseline is not an end-all-be-all as far as regulations go. Each country has the ability to create its own standards that must comply with the EU framework, but can also include additional rules. Countries that are outside of the European Union do not have to abide by the same standards and can create whatever building laws they desire.

To give it to you straight, when it comes to tiny house building laws in Europe, it can get pretty complex and is super dependent on the country, region, and city you choose to live or travel in.

Are Tiny Houses Legal In Europe?

So, what does this mean when it comes to owning or traveling in a tiny home in Europe? Below, I’ve gone into brief descriptions of each country and the way its building laws impact tiny homes to hopefully give you a bird’s eye view of which countries will be easier to live tiny in.

However, the best way to ensure that you are legal and up to code in your tiny house in Europe is to talk to local representatives from the country or region you want to live in. This mapping tool from the International Code Council is one of the best ways to quickly access building codes by country.

Can I Travel Throughout Europe In A Tiny House?

A huge pull of the tiny house life for most tiny home enthusiasts is the mobility. There is really nothing more idyllic than the idea of galivanting across Europe in a custom-designed van or tiny house on wheels. So, is it legal to travel throughout Europe in a tiny home?

There are tons of resources out there to help you understand what’s legal when it comes to an international trip like this in a tiny home. Within many countries, traveling around in a tiny house on wheels should not be a problem. In some, however, you may run into pushback.

You’ll need to be aware of specific legal regulations within the countries that you choose to make a part of your route — I’ve laid out several of these countries below. Decide exactly where you plan to travel beforehand so you know where you can legally park and stay the night to keep you from running into any trouble.

My best advice when planning a trip like this is to strike up a conversation with someone who has done it. There is an abundance of YouTube videos, travel blogs, podcasts, and more about traveling through Europe in a trailer, van, or mobile home that would be great references if you’re new to this kind of travel.

I haven’t done this myself yet, but my best wisdom when you get the travel bug is to listen to the stories of others who have and learn form their mistakes. You can even reach out and ask to chat with them in person or over Zoom to be even more prepared for your own adventure!

Tiny House Social Groups In Europe

Tiny House Communities In Europe

Guide To Tiny House Life And Laws In The British Isles

If you’re considering living or vacationing in a tiny house in the British Isles, there are several wonderful countries to consider. The British Isles of Europe consist of a cluster of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean that consist of Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, as well as over 6,000 smaller islands.

There are many reasons families, retirees, expatriates, and single travelers choose to move to one of the British Isles. For starters, Great Britain and Ireland are chock full of career opportunities and easy access to education. There’s also the draw of free healthcare and an abundance of paid time off in all fields.

The British Isles are a vibrant spot for tourists. All five countries have their fair share of historical monuments, gorgeous natural landscapes, quaint and charming towns, big cities, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. It’s a great start for American expatriates considering venturing to Europe, as these countries are largely English speaking.

Some areas have a more developed tiny house culture, while others haven’t really hopped on board the trend. Check out the tiny house regulations throughout the British Isles.

Are Tiny Homes Legal Throughout The United Kingdom?

England Tiny House Guide

If you’re looking to live in a tiny house in England, you can defer to the United Kingdom building laws which apply to Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. You can find tiny house builders, social groups, and tiny home rentals throughout England that are worth exploring. Check out Tiny House South West England on Facebook for more ways to get plugged in!

England Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In England

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Scotland Tiny House Guide

In Scotland, tiny house lovers should defer to the building laws that are centralized throughout the United Kingdom to see if their tiny house is legal in the area they reside in. Overall, tiny houses are becoming more and more popular in the country.

Scotland is home to several tiny house builders, the Social Bite tiny house community, and several tiny home-centric social groups. Check out these tiny home builders and rental properties throughout Scotland.

Scotland Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Scotland

Wales Tiny House Guide

Wales Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Wales

Ireland Tiny House Guide

The Republic of Ireland has its own set of building laws, separate from the centralized laws within the United Kingdom (which includes Northern Ireland). Tiny house enthusiasts in the Republic of Ireland should defer to the building laws from the Ireland Department of Housing for information on their government website.

When it comes to living in a tiny house on foundation in Ireland, it is legal for residents to have a non-habitable home under 25 square meters without having to ask for any explicit planning permissions from authorities. These are usually for spaces such as a garden studio, shed, or separate office space.

However, if you would like to inhabit a larger space than this as your permanent tiny home, you can request an “alteration” to one of the structures mentioned above to build a tiny house. When an alteration is requested, it will take a while for it to be officially approved, but when it is, you should be good to build your own tiny house on foundation.

If you are hoping to live full time in a tiny house on wheels in Ireland, it will be considered a temporary dwelling in the same category as a bus, houseboat, mobile home, vardo home, and yurt. There are several rules for these types of dwelling in the Republic of Ireland that do not require planning permissions.

THOW Laws In Ireland:

• You cannot reside in the home for more than six months
• The home cannot be connected to public services
• The house must comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws
• The tiny house must be on approved land

If all of these credentials are met, you will not need to seek planning permission for your mobile tiny home. However, if one or more of these regulations do not apply, you will need to apply for the planning permission process with local authorities.

There are also several tiny house builders, rentals, and social groups to join throughout the Emerald Isle. Be sure to check out Tiny Homes Ireland if you are seeking a virtual social community of Irish tiny homeowners to get involved with.

Ireland Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Ireland

Guide To Tiny House Life And Laws In Northern Europe

Iceland Tiny House Guide

Icelanders have been into the tiny house craze for much longer than most Americans — it just hasn’t been as commercialized in the way they are today. In Iceland, homes just tend to be smaller in general.

This is due to Iceland’s long history with micro structures. Most Icelanders now live in modern homes, but up until the 1940s, most Icelanders lived in small houses called turf homes. Wood was a luxury, so Iceland natives had to work around their barren lands.

Additionally, houses in Iceland are built to specifically preserve heat for long, dark winters as well as to conserve materials. Even as construction technology has improved over time, many of the homes in Iceland are still extremely small due to the sense of tradition found throughout the country.

When it comes to the legality of tiny homes in Iceland, it’s worth noting that planning permissions will be needed for any type of home in the country. You can learn more about regulations on tiny houses in Iceland by reading over Iceland Building and Alterations Laws.

Tiny Houses For Rent In Iceland

Norway Tiny House Guide

In Norway, tiny house living has become incredibly popular amongst both expats and locals alike. The naturalistic simplicity of the tiny lifestyle is attractive to many Norwegians and American expats, as the country is often characterized by its lush green summers, breathtakingly brisk winters, and nature-loving residents.

When it comes to whether or not tiny houses are legal in Norway, it can get fairly complex. Norway is divided into 429 small kommunes, each with their own jurisdictional laws. In some areas, it’s easy to build a tiny house and live in it full time, while other areas are more restrictive.

It all depends on which Norwegian kommune you choose to live in. The best way to decipher if your tiny house on wheels or foundation is legal in Norway is to reach out to the representative within the kommune you are living in or visiting. They should be able to give you the insight you need.

Overall, residents throughout the land of Viking ships and brown cheese have become obsessed with the idea of a mobile, minimalist micro home. There are several tiny house builders and rentals throughout the country that can provide you with a life of simple luxury within majestic mountains, between deep fjords, and under the scintillating Northern Lights.

Norway Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Norway

Sweden Tiny House Guide

While the country of Sweden is full of wonderful attributes like gorgeous greenery, a bustling pop music scene, intricate architecture, and the famous Ice Hotel, tiny house culture is pretty slim. Tiny house laws in Sweden are a tad restrictive for those hoping to live in a tiny house full time.

Since 2014, Swedish homeowners have been able to build a tiny house on their property as an accessory dwelling unit, but are not able to have one or more tiny houses on a single plot of land without the tiny house being accompanied by a traditional home.

While it is true that the Swedish National Building law is more restrictive than some other European countries, there are still several tiny house builders in Sweden that are able to help Swedes and expats live in a tiny house legally.

There are also many tiny house rentals in Sweden as well as a Swedish catalog of tiny house rental properties you can search through to prepare for your next vacation in Sweden.

Sweden Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Sweden

Finland Tiny House Guide

Finland is commonly known as one of the happiest places to live in the world. Finnish citizens are given free education, free healthcare, and a safe and secure environment to live in.

Finland is also renowned for having some of the most natural and environmentally friendly food, as well as the purest, cleanest water in the world. Finland is home to natives as well as American expats who are in school, have a job, or a family member in the country.

Tiny house culture in Finland is certainly expanding. A growing concern over the impact of climate change in recent years amongst Finnish locals and Finnish government has greatly increased the interest in tiny homes and minimalist lifestyles across the country.

The tiny house movement is gaining a lot of ground in Finland as tiny house builders and rental properties continue to pop up throughout the country. However, Finnish building laws still do not explicitly accommodate tiny houses. Check in with local representatives for each of Finland’s 19 regions to see if tiny homes are allowed in the area.

Finland Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Finland

Denmark Tiny House Guide

Tiny Houses For Rent In Denmark

Guide To Tiny House Life And Laws In Western Europe

France Tiny House Guide

The tiny house movement has been booming exponentially throughout France, and it’s easy to see why. The French are known for valuing quality over quantity, living slowly and intentionally, mastering the art of work-life balance, and believing that less is more.

All of these ideals are represented by minimalism and the tiny house lifestyle, which has caused tiny house culture to catch on rapidly all throughout France. There are several tiny house builders, rentals, and social communities popping up across France for tiny house enthusiasts to explore.

When it comes to tiny house legality in France, the Urban Planning Code of France lays out some pretty specific regulations for those wanting to live tiny. Regulations specific to tiny house life can be found in article R-111-46-1 of the Urban Planning Code.

First, it’s worth noting that if you want the installation of your tiny house to be protected as a removable residence in France, then you have to:

• Leave the tiny house on its trailer.
• Occupy it at least eight months of the year.
• Install equipment to be autonomous in electricity and water.

Secondly, the Urban Planning Code also has several regulations regarding the legal dimensions of a tiny house in France. All tiny homes, mobile or on foundation, must be less than 40 square meters in France. This is still the case if you install your tiny house less than three months in the in a single location.

Tiny houses on wheels in France cannot be housed just anywhere. There are particular designated areas where you are allowed to park a mobile tiny house or temporary tiny home.

Where To Park THOWs In France

• Residential leisure parks specially designed for this purpose.
• Holiday villages classified as light accommodation in application of the French Tourism Code
• Outbuildings of family holiday homes approved in application of the French Tourism Code.
• In designated campsites.

Even owning your own land in France does not give you the right to install a tiny house on foundation or a mobile tiny house freely on the land. There are several codes and regulations that homeowners need to abide by in order to place a tiny house on their own land.

Under the new ALUR law in France (laws that regulate unfurnished flats and buildings), municipalities can define any land area as a PLU special zone for light habitats. In urban areas and in “pellets” of France, those agricultural or natural areas that are normally non-buildable. This means, if you own land within one of these zones, you will not be able to build a tiny house on your own land.

However, even if this is the case, it is still possible to build a tiny house on your own land and classify it as part of a STECAL (Limited Size and Capacity Sector), which is a badge on the zoning map, included in the PLU, and specifies that light housing is accepted. In this case, using this classification will deviate from the non-constructability of tiny homes under the ALUR law.

Overall, building laws in France are becoming increasingly more complex and strictly regulated. The best way to ensure you can live legally in a tiny house in France is to consult your local municipalities about the specific laws that apply to where you live. Be sure to ask them how ALUR regulations specifically impact the area that you live in.

If you live in France or plan to travel there soon, there are many ways to get plugged into the tiny house culture. Be sure to check out these additional French tiny house builders, vacation rentals, and tiny house communities and social groups like the Tiny House France Facebook group.

France Tiny House Featured Builders

Tiny Houses For Rent In France

Belgium Tiny House Guide

The tiny house movement in Belgium is definitely on the rise as well. When it comes to the legality of tiny homes in Belgium, the regulations vary amongst each of the country’s three main regions.

Since September of 2019, the Wallonia region of Belgium has classified tiny houses as “light habitats,” putting them in the same category as wooden huts, yurts, and travel trailers.

If your tiny home meets all of these requirements, you will need to request a building permit per the Walloon Code of Housing of Sustainable Housing, which went into effect on November 12, 2020. This code only applies to places that serve as residences for users and not as tourist accommodations.

Unlike Wallonia, the Brussels and Flanders regions of Belgium do not have a legal framework in place to regulate the building or use of tiny houses. With that said, you will still need a planning permit and to respect the Regional Planning Regulation, especially concerning the area and ceiling height of a tiny house, because those elements of permanent housing structures are heavily regulated in Brussels and Flanders.

In Brussels specifically, a building permit is mandatory for any home beyond 5 square meters. In contrast, you only need a building permit in Flanders if the build exceeds 6 square meters. For more information on the specific regulations on tiny homes throughout Belgium, contact your local representatives.

As tiny house culture in Belgium continues to grow, builders, rentals, and social pages like Tiny House Belgium are popping up around the country. Be sure to check them out if you are planning to travel to or move to Belgium.

Belgium Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Belgium

Netherlands Tiny House Guide

The country is filled with friendly local residents, renowned historical monuments, beautiful natural terrain, a gorgeous coastline, and lots to do. Check out the tiny home rentals below to plan a visit.

Tiny Houses For Rent In Netherlands

Germany Tiny House Guide

Living and traveling in Germany has an array of benefits including a high quality of life, a strong economy, efficient public transportation, low crime rates, excellent cuisine, and glorious castles. Also amongst Germany’s assets is a rapidly growing tiny house culture.

The first tiny house settlement in Germany was created in Mehlmeisel in the Fichtelgebirge region of the country. The community has been in existence since 2017, and almost 30 people occupy the land today, each in their own respective tiny homes. Since then, more cities and regions throughout Germany have been creating tiny house communities, even major cities such as Dortmund where German legal codes used to limit tiny house life.

Regarding the legal dimensions of homes throughout the country, Germany’s Federal Building Code limits all traditional dwellings to 7.8 square meters. Anything beyond this will need to seek additional approval. All buildings need a building permit in Germany, regardless of size. The country also has several tiny house builders and rentals worth exploring.

Germany Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Germany

Switzerland Tiny House Guide

Tiny Houses For Rent In Switzerland

Austria Tiny House Guide

Austria Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Austria

Luxembourg Tiny House Guide

Tiny Houses For Rent In Luxembourg

Monaco Tiny House Guide

Guide To Tiny House Life And Laws In Southern Europe

Southern Europe, also known as Mediterranean Europe, consists of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. Geographers disagree on exactly which countries this should include, but common to most lists are Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Tiny house culture varies throughout these countries, so check out what each of these Southern European countries has to offer.

Greece Tiny House Guide

Tiny house culture isn’t huge in Greece, but the movement is slowly but steadily gaining traction. A few builders and tiny house rentals have been popping up throughout Greece. Construction codes and building regulations in the country are governed by the General Building Regulations (Γενικός Οικοδομικός Κανονισμός, or ГОК), and are amended by local jurisdictions throughout the country.

Greece Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Greece

Italy Tiny House Guide

Interest in tiny houses is certainly growing throughout Italy, with several builders and rental properties available in the land of delectable pizza, pasta, and architecture. As far as building regulations go, there are several things worth noting in Italian Building Codes that relate to tiny house life.

Building safety and construction codes in Italy are the responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport on a national level, but are implemented and enforced on a local level and can vary a lot between cities as well as amongst Italy’s 20 administrative regions.

The main source of law regulating the design, dimensions, and building legality in Italy is the Italian Civil Code and, in particular, section 1655 et seq., Law 1150/1942 and Presidential Decree 380/2001.

Overall, the design, implementation and enforcement of building regulations (including plumbing and electricity) in Italy all occur at municipal level. All of these local building regulations must align with the general framework in the Italian Civil Code, but the local authorities at the municipal level have full authority to implement this framework in whatever way they see fit for their jurisdiction.
If you are wanting to live in a tiny house in Italy, it’s vital that you communicate with your local representatives in order to make this happen.

Italy Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Italy

Spain Tiny House Guide

Tiny Houses For Rent In Spain

Portugal Tiny House Guide

Portugal Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Portugal

Guide To Tiny House Life And Laws In Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is comprised of the most countries of any sub-geographic region of Europe. I’ve distilled tiny house culture for a few of these countries, but tiny homes are legal in other Eastern European countries as well. I’d recommend digging a little deeper for specifics on all of these countries.

Romania Tiny House Guide

Romania Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Romania

Slovenia Tiny House Guide

Slovenia Tiny House Featured Builder

Tiny Houses For Rent In Slovenia

Your Turn!

• Will you choose to live in a tiny house in Europe?
• Which European country fits with your tiny lifestyle?