The government has backed down "Law on sun loungers": Amendment legalizes illegal construction on beaches

Complaints from citizens about beaches and shores across Greece have led to more than 10,000 inspections.

The government's economic headquarters “with one hand” forces citizens to complain about arbitrariness through the platform MyCoastwhile the other introduces amendments to laws that give municipalities the opportunity to legalize illegal buildings until January 2025. For example, piers and docks so that they could be rented out as cafes and taverns by the sea. Once a license is obtained, illegal structures can be leased out “for easy use”that is, for installing umbrellas, sitting at tables, etc.

The amendment is included in detail in the draft law of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance “Restructuring of the Greek Holding and Property Company and its subsidiaries” and even provides for the suspension of all sanctions, such as sealing and fines imposed following inspections by competent authorities, such as the Land Service.

It is worth noting that the possibility of legalizing unauthorized construction and interventions on the seashore and beaches has been constantly expanding since 2019. This has been happening for six years in a row, as many municipalities have not yet taken up the process, relying on the lack of state control.

Legalization concerns illegal beach constructions that were built before 2011 by providing an environmental impact study or a liability declaration, but without studying the nature of the damage caused to the coastal zone by illegal constructions. The government is holding another “gift” scandal businessmen who have been officially outside the law for many years.

P.S. What is the result? While the central authorities are “butting heads” with the locals, most of the beaches are not landscaped or are landscaped extremely poorly, which is damaging Greece's tourist reputation.

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