Greek authorities are intensifying efforts to combat illegal beach occupation and protect public access to the coastline, following a wave of citizen complaints.
As reported by Kathimerini (Giorgos Lialios), over 2,000 complaints have been submitted this year via the MyCoast app, which allows users to report beach violations. Leading the complaint numbers are East Attica and Halkidiki, with 319 and 220 cases respectively as of mid-June. In total, the government has granted 10,386 shoreline concessions, covering around 4.7 million square meters.
The crackdown has accelerated this summer. According to To Vima, 2,667 additional complaints were registered in June, building on around 300 in May. Violations range from unauthorized rentals to obstructing public beach access. In several instances, penalties have exceeded €60,000.
To bolster enforcement, authorities are deploying drones to monitor coastal areas and capture aerial evidence of violations. Businesses found in breach may face forced removal of equipment, demolition of illegal structures, temporary closures, and bans of up to ten years on future concessions.
Under Law 5092/2024, concession areas must not exceed 500 square meters or 50 percent of a beach. Violators may be fined up to four times the legal rental rate. More serious breaches, such as repeated over-occupation or permanent construction, can lead to immediate contract cancellation.
In September 2023, a Finance Ministry investigation into 20,500 citizen complaints uncovered 682 confirmed violations, leading to €8.5 million in fines and 55 business closures.
While some extreme cases from last summer have not reappeared, officials credit increased inspections and tighter regulations. The Ministry of Finance reiterated the national stance: beaches are public assets and must remain accessible to all.
Sources: Kathimerini, To Vima
