Greece Conducts Over 1,500 Beach Inspections, Imposes Fines for Violations

Greek authorities are intensifying efforts to protect coastal areas and ensure public access to beaches, conducting over 1,500 inspections across more than 300 beaches and 450 businesses nationwide. These actions are part of the rigorous implementation of a new legal framework designed to safeguard shorelines.

The Ministry of National Economy and Finance's Property Services are leading these intensified checks, focusing particularly on regions with a high volume of complaints. The operation leverages modern technology, including drones and advanced tools, to supplement on-site inspections and swiftly identify violations. Remote checks, conducted in collaboration with the University of the Aegean, further enhance the surveillance capabilities for beaches.

Technology plays a crucial role, complementing field inspections by enabling authorities to pinpoint unauthorized occupation of coastal land or exceeding permitted concession areas. This targeted approach makes inspections more effective, even in remote locations. The MyCoast application and citizen phone reports are also vital for gathering complaints.

Encouragingly, this year has seen the lowest number of complaints compared to previous years, indicating a significant increase in business compliance with coastal use regulations. The vast majority of businesses are adhering to the rules set out in Law 5092/2024, suggesting a growing acceptance of legal standards on Greek beaches. However, where violations are found, immediate sanctions are applied. Notable infringements include occupying public land without a concession agreement, exceeding permitted areas with extra sunbeds, obstructing public access, and failing to display required signage. For instance, a business in Rhodes faced immediate removal orders, a sealing order, and fines totaling 73,000 euros for obstructing access and occupying public property.