The implementation of the recently passed law regarding the granting of simple use of the seafront and beach is in full progress, the Ministry of Finance reports.

In detail, over 1,200 department concessions have been or will be put up for electronic auction until May 31 on the special digital platform (https://eauctions.gsis.gr). It is noted that, at the same time, there are additional ones from previous years 6,500 concessions which have an active contract and which have already been registered in the digital register of concession contracts for the simple use of seafront and beach.

In each case, all concessions, whether new or existing, will be governed from this year by the same framework of controls and fines due to illegal occupation of public space and exceeding the concession areas. The real estate services and all co-competent bodies are required to immediately implement the relevant legislative and regulatory framework. However, the new image will have been fully formed by the end of June, when the relevant procedures for the installation of the new concessionaires on the seafront and beaches will have been completed.

It is recalled that with the new law, the auctions for the concession of parts of the seafront and beach are now held exclusively digital through the special platform mentioned above.

The announcement is posted on the platform and on the website of the relevant municipality at least 20 days before the date of the auction. The data (coordinates, polygon and aerial photos) of each concession, the duration, the terms of the concession, and the time of placement and removal of mobile elements are posted on the platform.

Concessionaires pay minimum price, which results from a mathematical formula based on the objective values ​​of the area, the weighting factor of the activity and the weighting factor of the beach according to the special characteristics of the beach.

In addition, it is recalled that within the framework of the new law, highly protected beaches and beaches (“deceitable beaches”) that are located in Natura areas and for which concessions and, by extension, the placement of umbrellas, sunbeds, etc., are prohibited.

New Rules and obligations

It is noted that concessions of seafront and beach are not permitted when their length or width is less than 4 meters or when the total area of ​​the seafront is less than 150 sq.m. In addition, concessionaires are required to ensure that:

  • at least 50% of the beach must remain free and at the same time the area of ​​each concession cannot exceed 500 square meters.
  • the umbrella seats can occupy up to 60% of the allocated area or 30% for beaches located in Natura areas that have not been classified as fraudulent.
  • between the concessions there must be a distance of at least 6 meters (3 meters on each side, or 4 meters in the case of businesses operating in adjacent buildings) and the umbrella seats must be at least 4 meters from the sea, for the new concessions.
  • the public has in any case free, unimpeded and safe passage to the seashore and the beach with special provisions also for people with disabilities (such as through the placement of special platforms to serve them, as long as they have not been installed by the municipality for the new concessions).
  • the area is kept clean daily taking care to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and the morphology of the coast. At the same time, they are obliged to return it to its original condition after the end of the concession period.
  • a sign with details of the concession is posted in a prominent place on the seafront or the beach.
  • mobile elements are placed to serve the public.
  • there is a lifeguard, as long as this obligation is not covered by the relevant municipality, for the new concessions.

Controls and severe penalties

As part of the new system, the MyCoast digital application was created for all concessions (existing and new). for mobile phones, tablets, etc. available free of charge to citizens. Each concession is displayed on a satellite map and the citizen can select the relevant polygon where he will see the details and conditions of the contract. Thus, the citizens will see the diagram of the part of the coast and the beach that has been granted and will be able to immediately file a complaint if they find arbitrary occupation or exceeding the concession.

At the same time, the utilization of new technologies (such as drones, satellites) is foreseen to make the controls of the beaches by the state more effective. In addition, an integrated control mechanism is created, with mixed levels of control, by officials of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the Real Estate Service, the municipality, AADE, the Economic Police, ELAS and the prosecution authorities, while mixed levels are also foreseen.

In the event of a violation, the penalties are scaled according to its gravity and in particular whether there is a contract and the concessionaire has exceeded the concession or there is none, in which case it is an arbitrary occupation. In any case, umbrellas and sunbeds are removed, while if there are illegal constructions, they are demolished. In more detail, the penalties are as follows:

  • In cases of arbitrary occupation, the business in the occupied area is sealed and shut down, the area is sealed with tape and entry is prohibited as well as any economic activity in it. A fine equal to four times the price of the concession is imposed and the violator is excluded from any beach and beach concession process for five years.
  • If the concession has been exceeded, the penalties start from fines and escalate to a ban on participation in auctions as well as suspension of the business. With the changes reached in Parliament, the framework is further tightened as the most serious sanctions (exclusion from new concessions and suspension of operation) are imposed when the excess is greater than 30% of the concession (instead of the 50% originally envisaged).
  • For the first time, fines for obstructing the public’s free access to the sea, the foreshore and the beach are established, from 2,000 to 60,000 euros. Criminal penalties are also provided for anyone who brings about any alteration to the seashore or the beach without or in excess of a permit or with a permit that was issued illegally.