Greece Implements Fresh Regulations for Vacationers on Beaches in 2024
Key Points
- Greece has enforced stringent new regulations for its beaches to manage overcrowding and ensure fairness.
- The "beach bill" mandates that 70% of beaches remain free of sunbeds, escalating to 85% in protected areas, and prohibits sunbeds entirely in ecologically sensitive zones.
- Beachfront businesses will vie for space through online auctions, monitored by drones to ensure compliance.
Expanded Summary:
Greece has introduced rigorous measures to regulate its beaches, impacting tourists planning to visit the country in the upcoming summer season. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced these initiatives via TikTok, highlighting Greece's commitment to tackling overcrowding and promoting fairness.
Under the new "beach bill," slated to commence this spring, beaches are mandated to reserve 70% of their space free of sunbeds, with this requirement rising to 85% in protected areas. Additionally, sunbeds will be entirely banned in ecologically sensitive regions designated as "untouchable beaches."
Despite Greece's popularity as a beach destination, surging visitor numbers have posed challenges, leading to overcrowding issues. The dominance of businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, along the shoreline has further exacerbated the problem, leaving minimal space for the public. To address this, a strict enforcement of a minimum four-meter distance between the shoreline and sunbeds will be implemented.
Moreover, beachfront businesses will now engage in online auctions to secure space for renting sunbeds, with drone surveillance ensuring adherence to these regulations, effective this spring.
In a broader context, other European destinations are also taking steps to manage beach behavior. For instance, in Benidorm, Spain, fines up to €1,200 can be imposed for swimming or sleeping on the beach between midnight and 7 am. Portugal has introduced fines up to €36,000 for individuals using portable speakers on beaches, while in Sardinia, Italy, stepping onto the renowned Spiaggia Rosa beach is strictly prohibited, with fines reaching €3,500 for violators.
Furthermore, Greece has introduced a climate sustainability fee for overnight tourists to address the impact of extreme weather events on the country's infrastructure. Expected to generate €300 million in 2024, this tax aims to contribute to the restoration of climate-damaged infrastructure. Tourists visiting Greece from March to October will be subject to varying nightly fees based on their accommodation type, ranging from €1 to €10.