Greece announces 198 beaches "fully protected"without umbrellas and sun loungers

By a joint ministerial decision, Greece declared 198 beaches throughout the country to befully protected from the point of view of the use of public property in coastal areas, where, in particular, the use of neither umbrellas nor sun loungers is allowed.

These 198 beaches are part of the Natura 2000 network, that is areas of high ecological significance. According to the ministerial decision, concessions and, accordingly, the placement of umbrellas, sun loungers, etc. for use for tourism purposes are prohibited.

The decision, signed on Friday by Finance Ministers Kossi Hatzidakis and Environment and Energy Thodoros Skilakakis, follows recommendations from the Organization for Environment and Climate Change (OFYPE.KA), according to criteria including: significant presence of legally protected habitats EU or national legislation, rare endemic species of flora and fauna, the performance of important ecological functions for protected species, their classification as key biodiversity areas, the presence of important ecosystems in need of protection and conservation or restoration.

However, the environment ministry's original plan called for 1,000 beaches across the country, located both within and outside the Natura 2000 area, the daily reported ethnos.gr.

On these beaches, it is prohibited to grant the right of simple use of the seashore and beach, as well as any other actions that may jeopardize their morphology and integrity in terms of their ecological functions, and in particular:

• presence of vehicles
• organization of events with the participation of more than ten people
• music or other sounds produced by an electrical reproducing or amplifying device for the purpose of carrying out an activity
  placement of mobile elements such as seats with tables, umbrellas, sun loungers, etc.
• carrying out activities that serve for bathing or recreation of the population, for rental of marine recreational equipment
  operation of a self-propelled or trailer mobile food station.

You can see the list of beaches in Greek Here.

Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis said: “The main goal of the rules that we established by Law 5092/2024 is to combine environmental protection with sustainable development. After all, the environment is a valuable component of the Greek tourism product.”

For his part, Environment Minister Thodoros Skylakakis said: “Our decision on the so-called ‘deceptive beaches’ stipulates that they will not be made available for tourist exploitation, since these beaches are important for environmental protection, not development and investment.”

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