With stiff fines, which can reach up to 60,000 euros, they will be faced those who prevent the public’s free access to the sea, the coast and the beach.

Violations and fines

In particular, by decision of the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, which was published in the Official Gazette, the cases of obstructing the public’s free access to the sea, the coast and the beach include the following:

– Any construction (e.g. buildings, walls, planters, fencing of all types, including windbreaks and reeds).

For these violations it is imposed a fine of 500 euros per cubic meter corresponding to the volume of the construction. If the removal of these constructions requires the use of mechanical equipment, the fine is quadrupled.

– The installation movable element that cannot be easily moved (for example, cars, motorcycles, other heavy wheeled vehicles, awnings) in a way that obstructs public access to the sea.

For these violations it is imposed a fine of 500 euros per meter corresponding to the width of the passage obstructed. If the use of mechanical equipment is necessary for the removal of obstacles, it is mandatory a fine of 500 euros per cubic meter corresponding to the volume of objects obstructing the passage.

– Throwing mortar, building materialsn and any kind of waste at public crossing points towards the sea.

For these violations it is imposed a fine of 500 euros per meter corresponding to the width of the blocked passage. If the removal of mobile elements requires the use of mechanical equipment, the fine is doubled.

– Eventsindividual or collective, professional or non-professional, permanent or temporary, which limit the public’s direct access to the sea.

For these violations a fine of 500 euros per meter is imposed corresponding to the width of the blocked passage.

– Every kind physical or verbal obstructionwhich prevents public access to the sea.

For these violations a fine of 2,000 euros is imposed.

Deadlines

In addition, failure of the offender to remove any obstacles within the deadlines is considered as a new independent sanction.

Regarding the deadlines, for the removal of structures, the deadline is 30 days, for the removal of rubbish, waste, etc., the deadline is 1 day, for any events the deadline is 3 hours, while for the exercise of physical or verbal obstruction the deadline is one hour.

If the offender has committed more than one offence, a single fine is imposed, which is calculated according to the offence.

However, the fines cannot be lower than 2,000 euros and higher than 60,000 euros.

Finally, it is noted that the decisions of the Ministry of Finance also concern the prevention of public access to banks, riparian zones, the water element, the bottom and subsoil of the bottom of the sea, lagoon, lake and navigable river bed.