ADAC classification criteria
The ADAC classification, which is standardized throughout Europe, uses five possible stars to represent the level of service offered by a campsite. It thus realizes a fair comparison of campsites in the areas of sanitary, grounds, leisure, bathing and supply.
The ADAC classification is based on standardized criteria and is held in high esteem by campsites and campers alike. Unlike most other classification systems in the camping market, quality criteria are given equal weight alongside pure numbers.
The basis of a campsite’s classification is the results of an inspection by an independent inspector who visits a site on behalf of the ADAC. Inspections take place throughout Europe annually during the summer peak season.
Sites awarded the maximum 5 stars also carry the ADAC Superplatz rating. Campsites awarded 4 and 4.5 stars are designated as ADAC TIPP.
Not all criteria are equally important to campers. That´s why the different campsite characteristics weigh differently on the ADAC Classification.
The rating of the sanitary facilities has the biggest influence on the ADAC classification with 39%. Both the quantity and the quality of the sanitary facilities play a significant role here.
Qualitatively, the architecture and design of the buildings, maintenance and cleanliness are assessed. Buildings with high relevance for tourist camping guests also have a greater influence than sanitary facilities that are partly or mainly used by permanent campers. In relation to the number of guests at full occupancy of the campsite, the following sanitary objects pay quantitatively on the ADAC classification:
Requirements per 100 pitches* to achieve the highest rating:
We use the following weighting: Pitches for tourists = 100%. Pitches for permanent campers without own sanitary facilities = 60%. Rental accommodation without own sanitary facilities 100%.
Requirements for structure, design and equipment of sanitary buildings to achieve the highest rating:
The evaluation of the category grounds pays with 26% on the ADAC classification. It is composed equally of the evaluation of pitches and the so-called public areas of the campsite. Both quantity and quality are taken into account.
The following factors play a role in the evaluation of the pitches:
Public areas include:
Type and equipment of the pitches for a best rating:
The category supply influences the ADAC classification of a campsite to 10 %. Shopping facilities such as bread service, kiosk, grocery store and supermarket as well as available camping and leisure articles and cafés, bistros, snack bars and restaurants are taken into account. Shopping and gastronomy each flow into the supply result in equal parts and are evaluated qualitatively in addition to “available on the site or not”.
Kiosk / Grocery / Supermarket
Camping and leisure items
Camping and leisure items are also divided into the following categories:
Snack Bar / Restaurant
Leisure activities account for 12.5 % of the ADAC classification. A distinction is made here between entertainment offers for children, sports enthusiasts and adults and all permanent offers relating to playing, sports and wellness. The evaluations of both areas form the result of the category leisure in equal parts.
Playing, sports and wellness are assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. This means it depends on how many different playground equipment, sports fields and wellness options are offered and how well-maintained and up-to-date they are. The size of playgrounds also affects the score. Bad weather offerings such as a recreation room and indoor play areas are also honored. Animation is scored on how many days of the summer peak season for how many hours guided offerings are made.
For a maximum rating, there should be a campsite animation program for at least 4 weeks in each of the three categories, on at least 6 days a week during the main season. In total, there should be at least 50 hours of animation program per week.
Swimming facilities account for 12.5 % of the ADAC classification. Points can be scored for access to natural bodies of water such as the sea, lake and river and for swimming pools and paddling areas.
When assessing natural features, the ADAC classification places emphasis on the size of beaches and sunbathing areas and their equipment with, for example, umbrellas and showers, as well as on cleanliness and the maintenance of recreational areas. In the case of outdoor and indoor pools, cleanliness, maintenance, design of the pools and the size of all areas in which swimming and splashing are possible count.
Only waters that are located directly at the campsite and that can be reached from the pitches without crossing a public road are evaluated. The rating is made up of the quantity (area) of the beach and the quality (condition and facilities).
Outdoor pools, indoor pools, children’s pools and paddling pools are rated. Here, too, the rating is made up of the quantity (surface area) of the pools and the quality (architectural design, maintenance and cleanliness):
Water surface in relation to the number of pitches – maximum evaluation from 2.5 sqm per pitch
Despite all the explanations, sometimes something remains unclear. We have summarized the most frequently asked questions and their answers here. Should you also have individual concerns regarding the ADAC classification of your campsite, please feel free to contact us, stating your campsite name and location or your ADAC search number. Send your email to: data@adac-camping.de
The inspection season ends in October of each year at the latest. This is also the time when you will be informed by e-mail about your ADAC classification. And this is regardless of whether an inspection has taken place at your campsite in the current year or in a previous year.
The ADAC classifications valid for the coming season are published for the first time in the ADAC Camping Guide, which appears annually in December. On pincamp.de, on pincamp.ch and in the ADAC Camping App, the current classification results can be seen from January of the new year.
Example: In August 2022, an inspection will be carried out on your campsite. You will receive the resulting classification result by e-mail in October 2022. It will appear in print for the first time in the ADAC Camping Guide 2023, which will be launched in December 2022. On pincamp.de, pincamp.ch and in the ADAC Camping App 2023 you can see the latest results from January 2023.
An ADAC classification that you are not satisfied with does not necessarily mean that you have been rated poorly. Basically, the star rating represents an overall value from the five categories of sanitary facilities, grounds, supply, leisure and bathing.
So it may well be that you have scored very highly in the category or categories that are particularly important to you and your target audience, and that an area you don’t necessarily target puts the overall result into perspective. All categories are displayed to campers with your individual results, so that your target group is informed in the best possible way.
We inform you about the ADAC evaluation criteria on this page. If you still have doubts about a fair evaluation even after comparing the evaluation criteria with your campsite offer, please feel free to contact us with your specific request: data@adac-camping.de
It depends. The rule is that an inspector visits your place every 1 – 3 years. If you find that this has not been the case for you and you would like to push for an inspection, simply notify us of your inspection request, including specific details of changes made and new offers by sending an email to data@adac-camping.de
You are also welcome to send us photos. We will then check whether we can prioritize your campsite for an upcoming inspection.
An ADAC classification is given to campsites that have been inspected by an independent inspector on behalf of ADAC. The results of this inspection will be calculated and displayed as the ADAC classification in stars.
In order to be scheduled for an inspection, we depend on the support of the campsites. The more promptly and comprehensively we are informed about developments such as investments or redesigns, the faster and more accurately we can prioritize for inspection. Whether this is a first inspection or a re-inspection does not matter. It is important to know that classifications can only change based on an inspection.
Feel free to contact us if you are interested in an inspection, providing as much detail as possible about any new additions to your campsite. Send your email to: data@adac-camping.de
ADAC Camping is also number 1 online. Our portal PiNCAMP.de consistently occupies the top positions on Google and with PiNCAMP.ch we reach campers in Switzerland.
E-Mail: partner@adac-camping.de
Telefon: +49 (0)30 814 570 951
