Greece to Set Up Platform for Shoreline Use Auctions

Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

Aiming to put to the best possible use all public properties, the Greek Finance Ministry announced that it would be setting up a platform where interested parties can apply for shoreline use auctions.

The decision comes as part of a draft bill presented during a cabinet meeting this week. The online auctions for beach use are aimed at ensuring transparency as well as boosting state revenues.

In the past, shoreline use was granted to business owners by local authorities. The new regulation abolishes the possibility for direct assignment.

Under the new rules, lease fees will increase and the ministry is aiming to set a threshold on rents depending on location, visitability, property prices, and other criteria.

At the same time, the new law – dubbed “Terms for the Utilization of Public Property in Coastal Areas” – aims to address dozens of public beach violations, which have resulted in hundreds of public Greek beaches being covered by umbrellas, sunbeds and bars.

In this direction, the government said it will use drones to inspect public beach zones and ensure they are not illegally occupied by umbrellas, sunbeds and illegal operations.

The goal, the ministry said, is to detect violations in real time and to limit arbitrary constructions on public beaches.

Additionally, citizens will be able to use the platform to report violations and send in photos and videos as documentation.

Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

Last summer, Greece’s Supreme Court ordered an investigation into reports that beach bars were occupying and operating illegally on a number of beaches. The decision came after residents and holidaymakers called on the government to take immediate action for the rightful return of beaches to the people. Starting from Paros, the “Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches”, the so-called ‘Towel Movement’,  extended to other parts of Greece, including Thasos, Corfu, Crete, and Halkidiki.

The regulations also simplify procedures so that immediate actions can be taken in case of violations.

Shoreline use is part of a new spatial planning bill tabled in parliament last month and expected to go up for public consultation in the upcoming period which also sets limits to Airbnb-style operations and allows the construction of tourism resorts on uninhabited islands.