The Real Estate Services of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance carried out a total of 20,500 inspections of citizen complaints on 630 beaches throughout the country in 60 days, that is, from the beginning of the inspection process at the beginning of July until the end of August.

These are the most extensive checks – and indeed in such a short period of time – that have ever been carried out on Greek beaches, which were helped by new technologies and in particular the MyCoast application as well as the use of drones and satellite images.

As a result of the checks this summer, the vast majority of businessmen implemented the strict rules for operating and occupying public space and, at the same time, strict penalties and administrative measures were applied to those who break the rules.

Violations and fines

The complaints examined came mainly through the MyCoast application but also through phone calls to the local Real Estate Services, while in total only 10% of these complaints were made by name.

Following the detection of violations, all the prescribed administrative fines were launched, while in the cases where there was no contract, a total of 55 orders were issued to seal parts of the beach that had been illegally occupied, of which 30 were issued in August alone in the following areas: Achaia (2), Boeotia (1) ), Evia (5), Zakynthos (1), Ilia (7), Kefallonia (7), Corfu (2), Larissa (2), Magnesia (1), Messinia (2).

beaches

The 10 areas that collected the most complaints and were checked on priority are as follows:

  1. Halkidiki: 4,700 complaints were examined, of which 630 were by name. Autopsies were carried out on all 32 beaches where complaints have been made.
  2. Eastern Attica: 2,082 complaints were examined, of which 305 were by name. Autopsies have been carried out on 32 beaches, 85% of the beaches where complaints were made have been examined. A control was also carried out using drones in the area of ​​Lagonissi on August 14. In this area, a resealing operation took place in Thymari Lagonissi and all movable elements and the wooden structure on the seafront were removed.
  3. Cyclades: 1,150 complaints were examined, of which 130 were by name. Autopsies were carried out in Mykonos, Paros and Thira in collaboration with the Municipality. Also, cooperation with the Municipality for autopsies exists in Naxos, Tinos and Andros.
  4. Dodecanese: 973 complaints were examined, of which 106 were named. It is noted that fines exceeding 1.25 million euros were imposed only in Rhodes.
  5. Preveza: 1,075 complaints were examined. 11 beaches were checked and collected more than 600 complaints.
  6. Corfu: 806 complaints were examined. Autopsies were conducted at 10 beaches where 170 complaints were made.
  7. Chania: 620 complaints were examined. Autopsies were conducted at 11 beaches where 375 complaints were made.
  8. Messinia: 810 complaints were examined and 2 sealing orders were issued. Autopsies were conducted at 14 beaches where 700 complaints were made.
  9. Piraeus, Western Attica & Argosaronic Islands: 547 complaints were examined. Autopsies were conducted on 9 beaches where 240 complaints were made. In the autopsies in Hydra, the mapping of the existing situation was carried out using drones.
  10. Kavala: 730 complaints were examined. Autopsies were conducted on 8 beaches (3 of which in Thassos) in which 500 complaints were made.

In total, fines of 8.5 million euros have been imposed, while the three regions with higher fines are as follows:

  1. Kefalonia: fines of 2,324,000 euros were imposed,
  2. Dodecanese: fines of 250,000 euros were imposed,
  3. Heraklion: fines of 742,000 euros were imposed.

Record concession contracts

In addition, the contracts for the concession of the use of parts of the seafront and beach, which were carried out in terms of transparency and meritocracy in accordance with the new electronic auction system, far exceeded the initial goals set by the Real Estate Services. In more detail, the concessions amounted to 1,650 while the initial target was for 1,200. A total of 1,800 auctions were conducted, of which 150 were considered barren as either there was no interest or the successful bidder withdrew shortly before the contract was signed.

Finally, a historic high was also recorded in the direct contracts of neighboring businesses, exceeding 2,300 rental units.

Thus, during the autopsies carried out by dozens of levels of the Real Estate Services (with the assistance of the local Municipalities and ELAS), more than 2,400 businesses were checked and 682 violations were found. In total, 400 administrative measures were taken and 55 business sealing orders were issued, while the fines imposed exceed 8.5 million euros. Especially in the month of August, complaints and business audits amounted to about 50% of all autopsies of the year. A total of 11,000 checks were carried out at 350 beaches and more than 1,200 businesses. 330 violations were found and 170 administrative measures were imposed.

It is emphasized that the controls will continue throughout September and until the end of this year’s tourist season.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis stated: “The improved image on the beaches of our country proves that what we say we do! We promised that legality would prevail on the beaches and this has been done on the vast majority of beaches, as evidenced by the 20,000+ checks within 60 days and the actions we have taken against those who are illegal. I do not claim that all problems are solved! However, every well-intentioned citizen can recognize the effort we made this summer and draw his own conclusions. We continue, with the same consistency and persistence, in order to protect the environment and the citizen’s right to free access to the beach, to preserve our tourist product and to support the healthy entrepreneurship represented by businessmen who do their job properly”.

General Secretary of Public Property Naya Kollia said: “By common consent the situation on the beaches this year was very different from previous years. The new legislative framework and the use of technology contributed to this. Mainly, however, this result is attributed to the tireless struggle of the Real Estate Services: they completed thousands of concession contracts for the first time and carried out thousands of audits with the assistance of ELAS, and the Municipalities which, in addition to the audit competence, also have the authority to remove movable elements from the beaches. The mark was given and the result is visible. The solid foundations for the enforcement of order have now been laid because the beaches are for all Greeks!”