In Greece, tourists are fined for violating beach rules: how to avoid problems

The perfect summer vacation includes a lot of time spent on the beach. However, in some parts of the world, so many people want to soak up the water and behave so brazenly that quite radical measures have to be taken.

Thus, in July, the Greek government introduced new rules of behavior on the beach, for the violation of which they began to fine. According to the Mirror, the country has already issued fines totaling more than 800,000 euros.

Earlier this year, the country's authorities introduced some restrictions aimed at improving public access to the coastline and combating overcrowding. In particular, it is now forbidden to place sun loungers at a distance of less than 4 meters from the shoreline in Greece. This is to make it easier for all beach visitors to get to the water.

In addition, the new rules require that 70% of the beach area be free of sunbeds. This is how the authorities are fighting overcrowding and trying to create more comfortable conditions for those who want to sunbathe.

Electronic systems have been installed near beaches to allow people to report any violations of the rules to the authorities. Greece has also introduced drone inspections of recreational areas to ensure compliance with these requirements.

It is known that in July, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Greece checked more than 4,500 complaints from citizens about beaches and coastal areas across the country. Very often, people complained about local businesses that seized beach areas.

More than 150 beaches were inspected. The authorities wanted to make sure that the sea sand remained fully accessible to everyone and that beach businesses did not illegally expand beyond their allotted areas. Fines totaling more than €800,000 were issued for various violations. Such violations include the installation of umbrellas and sunbeds outside the designated area, the lack of necessary signage, and the occupation of beach areas without a lease agreement.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a stern warning when the authorities tightened the requirements for beach facilities in March. However, this did not stop the growth of the flow of tourists to Greece. For example, the president of the municipal community of Thira in Santorini, Panayiotis Kavallaris, urged residents not to go out as the island was flooded with tourists who had disembarked from cruise ships. However, he later deleted this post from social media.

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