If gas were a relationship in Europe, the relationship status of many campers would certainly say “it’s complicated”. There are no standardized regulations, in many places you have to buy or rent your own bottles and get a suitable adapter. Quite confusing! You can find a detailed overview of filling and withdrawal adapters in the article “Gas adapters for camping in Europe“.
Aluminum gas cylinders are an alternative to German steel cylinders. In addition to the exchangeable cylinders, there is also the permanently installed Travelmate system, which is filled rather than exchanged. You can then have them filled wherever LPG is available (provided there is no country-specific ban against this).
This option is particularly worthwhile if you are going to be on the road for a longer period of time or are planning a longer journey, as is a fixed gas tank, which you can also fill up with LPG. And finally, there’s the Campinggaz system, which is available in many European countries. But to be honest: the prices bring tears to my eyes, so I only use it as a makeshift or when hiking.
In the following, I will give you an insight into the individual countries and what the gas situation is like for camping in Europe.
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Gas in Denmark
On almost every website about gas in Denmark you will find the information that it is possible to fill the German gray bottles at Kosan-Gas. Hanne Lajer Christensen, Marketing Coordinator at Kosan, tells me that this is no longer possible – these filling stations have been closed for 20 years.
You can buy a Danish cylinder and adapter from the Kosan-Gas distribution network (not a rental cylinder!). Adapters are also available at some campsites. LPG is inside the bottles.
You can also easily buy or exchange Danish gas cylinders at a vending machine(pay attention to the size!) The vending machines (and dealers) are listed on this map, a short video shows you how to do it. Many campsites in Denmark also offer German gas cylinders for sale or exchange.
There is also a network of Alugas stations in Denmark – not a comprehensive network, but there are some stations on both the main island and the smaller islands.
However, it is always important to call the Alugas stations in advance to find out whether they fill and swap or only offer one of the two services. Unfortunately, this is often the case. It is also helpful to ask whether they also have the adapter for German bottles on site in case they fill up. This saves you a possible detour.
Gas in Finland
In Finland it is a little more complicated than in the neighboring Scandinavian countries. You can neither have your German gas cylinders filled nor exchange them. There is also no Alugas network in Finland. So if you are traveling in Finland and your gas supply is running low, you will need to use local cylinders and should carry the appropriate EURO-SET adapter to connect them to the gas system.
Gas in France
In France you cannot get German gas cylinders exchanged or filled. You can buy butane and propane with a deposit for the bottle (keep the receipt!) at any filling station, often also at the small village stores (Epicerie/Epi). Most campers use gray-blue bottles from Butagaz, as they are closest in size to the 11 kg bottles. You need the D4 connection. You can find more information and many other tips in our article about Gas in France.
Photo: (c) Barbara Homolka
Gas in Greece
The supply of gas cylinders is not a problem in Greece. Not only can they be obtained at any location, but the whole thing is also very simple, as no contract or similar is required. On presentation of the proof of purchase, you can return the purchased gas cylinder to the same retailer and get the deposit back.
It may even be possible to fill German gas cylinders. A corresponding removal adapter from the EU set is also required in Greece. It is good to know that the gas cylinders in Greece are somewhat smaller than those in Germany. You can find more information and many other tips in our article about Gas in Greece .
Gas in Italy
As a rule, the supply of camping gas in Italy is not a problem, German cylinders are exchanged or filled. However, you will need an adapter for filling. You can connect the Italian Bombole gas cylinders with the extraction adapter.
How do I find a gas dealer? The friendly people at the campsite reception usually know where the next opportunity to fill up or swap is. Some campsites also offer the service themselves for their customers. I found a list of really many gas dealers on poigps.com. (Register, search for Bombole and download the list).
However, I don’t know how up-to-date or well-maintained this list is. Incidentally, for tax reasons, it is not officially permitted to fill LPG into a fixed tank at the filling station. However, you will read many reports on the Internet that it did work.
Gas in Croatia
The exchange of camping gas cylinders is rather unusual in Croatia, but you can have cylinders filled at INA if they were last checked less than five years ago. Some campsites also offer a gas service. To be on the safe side, you should have a filling adapter with you.
Gas in the Netherlands
The connection system in the Netherlands is compatible with the German system, so there are no problems. Many campsites and camping stores will also sell you gray bottles. You can also have your own bottles filled at special service outlets and filling stations.
Gas in Norway
There is a good network of “LPG Norge” filling stations throughout Norway – even in the far north – where German and other foreign gas cylinders can be filled almost everywhere without any problems. It is forbidden to fill your own cylinders at the gas dispenser; they are only intended for filling gas tanks.
The necessary adapters are usually available on site, so you rarely need your own filling adapter.
Disadvantage: Most stations in Norway charge per fill, not per kilogram. This means that even if your bottle is only half empty and you want to refill it to be on the safe side, you will still pay the full price. It is also worth comparing prices – there are big differences here.
You can find a complete list of all filling stations under this link, and numerous stations are also listed in the relevant parking space apps. There is also a good network of Alugas stations in Norway.
If you (have to) use local gas cylinders: The best known and most widespread supplier of Norwegian gas cylinders is AGA. In Norway, steel and aluminum gas cylinders are available – just like here – and there are also composite cylinders with a mix of both materials and therefore a medium weight. The standard sizes of 5 kg and 11 kg are also common, with the 11 kg bottles predominating.
Please note: If you purchase a Norwegian gas cylinder, you cannot usually return it – it is and remains your property. But there is also an advantage for your Scandinavian trip: If you are traveling longer in Norway and Sweden, you can use one cylinder for both countries, as the gas cylinders are compatible.
To connect to your German system, you will then need the corresponding EURO-SET gas cylinder adapter (adapter 3) and, in some cases, an additional adapter between the gas cylinder and pressure regulator. It is best to find out before your trip whether you need this transition piece for your gas connection system.
Gas in Austria
The same bottles are used in Austria as in Germany, so you won’t have any problems filling/exchanging them.
Gas in Poland
In Poland, you can buy 5 and 11 kilo gas cylinders with a connection that is compatible with German cylinders. You can get them exchanged or filled at gas stations or garages.
Gas in Portugal
Filling German gas cylinders is not permitted in Portugal, even if you can read in relevant forums that it works. To connect the Portuguese bottles from Repsol and Cepsa, for example, you need a clip-on adapter and another adapter from the Euro removal set. Not all clip-ons fit all gas cylinders from different manufacturers, everything you need to know about this can be found in our article Gas cylinders in Portugal .
- Zum Anschluss eines Druckreglers mit deutschem Anschluss an die auf dem eurpäischen Markt gängigen…
- Bestehend aus Übergangsstutzen 1 bis 4
Photo: (c) Stefanie & Sebastian Vogt
Gas in Sweden
German bottles can be filled in many places in Sweden, but the network is not as dense as in Norway, for example. Totally fair: Often you are charged by the kilogram filled and not the full bottle price. The prices for this also vary in Sweden, of course.
Where can I find a filling station? Andreas Nowak has published a list of filling stations on his private website list of filling stations for you. He updates them regularly. The site is also a treasure trove of other information for your trip to Sweden!
In addition, many filling stations in Sweden are also listed in the relevant parking space apps. There is only a very good infrastructure of Alugas stations in the south of the country.
In Sweden, you also have the option of purchasing local gas cylinders. The cylinders and the conditions are similar to those in Norway (see paragraph: Gas in Norway).
The Swedish system is not compatible with the German system, so you will need an adapter if you buy a Swedish bottle. This is either adapter 3 from the Euro set or, for a bottle with a pole connection, a Euro transition piece* pole connection Scandinavia.
Gas in Switzerland
Vitogaz and Flaga are the Swiss gas suppliers that offer steel and plastic cylinders in various sizes . As the type of seal between the pressure reducer and the gas cylinder differs between German and Swiss gas cylinders, it can be dangerous to refill German cylinders without further ado.
You can get gas cylinders in Switzerland in numerous places and without any problems. A gas sampling adapter is also required here and a pressure regulator is also recommended. This can be purchased or rented.
Gas in Slovenia
You can have your German bottles filled in Slovenia. Filling stations are Plinarna Ljubljana, Plinarna Maribor, Internia DD Ljubljana in Kozina and OMV Istrabenz DOO in Koper. I have also occasionally found a gas bottle service at the reception on Slovenian campsites.
Gas in Spain
Gas cylinders in Spain are an inexhaustible topic, as the comments under our article Gas cylinders in Spain on the subject. Internet forums are also full of different experiences.
Basically, you can get 11 and 6 kilo gas cylinders at Repsol and Cepsa filling stations. However, whether you can get it without any problems, i.e. without a Spanish tax number and excessive paperwork, still seems to be a “matter of luck”. This is probably easier in the south of Spain than in Catalonia. But the German caravan service in Sant Pere Pescador (Girona), which sells gas as well as other camping equipment, comes to the rescue.
There are also gas dealers at many campsites and pitches who will sell you bottles. The supplier Cepsa has a map on its website with sales outlets for its gas cylinders. In Andalusia, the Gasbottle International service offers to refill your German cylinders.
In addition to adapter number 4, you will need a Spanish gas cylinder adapter (clip-on adapter) to connect Spanish gas cylinders. You can get it in the small corner stores (ferretería), at the campsite or you can order it directly here*.
Photo: (c) Sebastian Vogt
Experts in the podcast on the topic of “Basic knowledge – gas when camping”
In our podcast, Nele and Sebastian shed light on the topic of“Basic knowledge – gas when camping“, providing information and tips. Be sure to give it a listen:
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And what were your experiences with gas cylinders in Europe? Let us know in the comments!
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