Greece is implementing stricter rules for all its beaches in an effort to combat overcrowding.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s Prime Minister, announced in a recent TikTok video that the country would be capping the number of sunbeds allowed on shorelines.
Seventy per cent of each Greek beach will now need to be sunbed-free. This number increases to 85% for protected beaches, and sunbeds will be completely banned on some ‘untouchable beaches’. Sunbeds must now also be at least four metres from the shoreline.
The new law also requires half of the beaches remain open to the public, prohibiting hotels and beach businesses from monopolising beach space and limiting access.
The Greek government will hold e-auctions for businesses and hotels to obtain beach licences to occupy space on the beaches so that the government can control and manage who operates on the shore.
Businesses with a licence will also be required to keep the beaches sanitary, ensure disability access and hire a lifeguard.
