I want to go backpacking in EU for a year.
My plan is to spend the least on accomodation so I can get more out of my money.
Now I'm on the fence between the following
Either I can go to Denmark where there's a lot of free shelters with basic utilities (running water, maybe a toilet, fireplace) and hop over to Sweden and Norway when it gets warmer
Or I can go to the South but more than often wild camping is strictly forbidden, although there's a legal grey zone where you can bivaouc.
So, do I buy a tent and deal with nasty Nordic weather. Or do I buy a bivy setup and go South where the weather will probably be more mild.

The North obviously has its appeals. Free accomodation, isolation, lot of nature to explore.
The South is appealing too. Lots of things to explore, hospitable weather conditions and feels more exciting.
Or do I get a tent and head south anyway? Or a bivy and head North regardless?
I wonder what /out/'s suggestion is.