First Camp, the largest camping chain in the Nordic region, has expanded into Germany with the acquisition of the Via Claudia campsite in Bavaria.
The move marks the company’s entry into its fifth market, following previous expansions into Denmark in 2019, Norway in 2022, and Finland in 2025. The chain has steadily increased its footprint, growing from 24 destinations in 2018 to 75 as of 2025.
Via Claudia, located near the Alps and along the Lech River and Via Claudia Augusta hiking trails, generated approximately €3.6 million in revenue in 2024.
The campsite will now be owned by FC Husky HoldCo, a sister company of First Camp Group AB, and will be financed through that entity’s existing cash and credit facilities. The acquisition sits outside First Camp Group AB’s bond structure.
Johan Söör, CEO of First Camp, emphasized the scale of the opportunity in Germany.
“Germany is Europe’s largest camping market and about 50 percent larger than the entire Nordic region. We see significant potential to support a more professional and consolidated structure in Germany – just as we have successfully done in the Nordics over recent years,” he said in a press release.
The company already sees strong engagement from German travelers, who currently account for approximately 15% of all overnight stays at First Camp locations in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Söör noted that the acquisition provides the company with “a strong foothold in southern Germany” and said the company’s “top priority is to maintain the high quality and guest experience.”
The current site manager, Felicitas Weber, will continue to lead operations through an extended transition period. No immediate changes to the guest experience are expected.
According to Söör, the deal aligns with a broader expansion strategy:
“Via Claudia is a natural first step into Germany, but our ambitions don’t stop there. We are actively exploring further opportunities in the German market and are open to different ownership and partnership models – both in Germany and across other European markets. We’ve also recently completed a successful bond financing, opening up even more opportunities.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, this move reflects broader market trends in cross-border consolidation, with larger operators increasingly seeking strategic footholds in high-demand tourism areas.
Germany’s domestic travel base, coupled with a maturing consumer market, may offer investment and partnership opportunities for operators seeking scale or an exit.
First Camp Group AB currently operates more than 70 destinations across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland under the First Camp brand and other independent brands.
The company manages over 16,000 caravan and motorhome pitches and more than 3,500 cabins. Since 2017, First Camp has completed over 60 acquisitions, with growth focused on digitalisation, guest experience, and sustainability.