Greece beach occupations spark surge in public complaints

Citizens and tourists in Greece are reporting a surge in the illegal occupation of public beach spaces, leading to calls for intensified inspections. In Tolo, Argolida, a business reportedly occupied a section of the ‘Psili Ammos’ beach without an active contract on the official MyCoast platform or the legally required QR code.

In Rhodes, the ‘Umbrella’ network reports that unauthorized occupation has become a systematic practice. Some businesses operate entirely without contracts, while others significantly exceed their permitted areas; for instance, a business authorized for 500 square meters may illegally occupy up to 2,200 square meters.

In Naxos, despite an increase in the number of businesses obtaining usage licenses, violations remain frequent. Local residents note that existing inspection teams are insufficient to manage the volume of complaints. Concurrently, tax authorities are conducting inspections in popular tourist destinations, issuing fines and closing non-compliant restaurants and rental accommodations.