Greece Changes Beach Usage Rules: More Freedom, Strict Restrictions

In response to a wave of protests last summer, when residents of Greece expressed dissatisfaction with commercial interests of coastal establishments limiting their access to beaches, the Greek government introduced new measures to regulate the use of beaches.

Aimed at improving public access to the coastline and ensuring order, the rules will become stricter on the eve of the summer tourist season.

An important aspect of these measures is the commitment to keep 70% of the area of all beaches free from sun loungers to avoid overcrowding, thereby increasing the comfort of beachgoers.

For protected and ecologically sensitive areas, even stricter restrictions are set, including a total ban on the use of sunbeds on some "untouchable beaches".

The innovations will also affect the process of renting beach territories by entrepreneurs: now they will be distributed through transparent online auctions, excluding the possibility of unfair agreements.

In addition, a distance of at least four meters must be maintained between sun loungers and the water's edge, facilitating access to the sea.

Half of the country's beaches must remain fully accessible to counter the growing problem of commercial structures occupying beach space.

In case of violation of the established rules, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of serious consequences, including fines and revocation of licenses.

Read also

In Spain, urinating in the sea and swimming after midnight are banned

Spanish resorts are introducing a €750 fine for urinating in the sea, banning ball games in the water and reserving areas with umbrellas, while dogs are only allowed on designated beaches.

To control compliance with these measures, special devices and drones will be deployed near beach areas.

"This summer, significant changes will occur on our beaches," emphasized Mitsotakis.

In addition to this, starting this year, tourists coming to Greece will face a new "climate" tax, which will be levied during the high season from March to October.

The size of the tax will vary from 1 to 4 euros per night, depending on the accommodation category.

It was previously reported that Majorca announces new measures to combat antisocial behavior of tourists, introducing fines up to 3000 euros for drunkenness and vandalism, as part of the effort to make the island an attractive destination for family vacations.

We also wrote that thanks to the introduction of advanced scanners, European airports begin to waive the 100 ml limit on liquids in carry-on luggage, which speeds up the inspection process and simplifies travel for passengers.