Beach in Greece (archive photo).
Unauthorized sunbeds and umbrellas, blocked beach access, shoreline alterations, and a lack of lifeguards were among the top grievances reported this summer by citizens through Greece’s MyCoast platform.
The digital tool, launched last year as part of a government plan to safeguard coastal access, has become a channel for residents and visitors to flag unlawful activity on beaches.
According to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, between mid-May and August 17 the platform logged 11,512 complaints. While that marks a 50 percent decrease compared to 2023, it still points to persistent violations.
Authorities have already investigated more than half of the submissions, confirming breaches in roughly one in five cases. Most complaints were filed anonymously, though more than 1,500 citizens chose to submit their names.
Hotspot regions
The highest concentration of reports came from Halkidiki, which alone accounted for over 2,400 complaints, followed by East Attica (1,048 complaints), the Cyclades (817), and the Dodecanese (793). Unauthorized sunbeds and umbrellas dominated the list, with more than 7,400 cases, while another 1,800 reports concerned blocked public access to the shoreline. Other violations included altered coastal landscapes, insufficient signage, obstacles for people with disabilities, poor cleanliness, and lack of lifeguards.
According to reports, in Halkidiki’s Afytos area, inspectors found a striking example: a business had set up sunbeds across 2.5 stremma (0.25 hectares) of beachfront despite holding a permit for just 500 square meters.
Regarding lack of lifeguards, 48 complaints about unguarded beaches were reported in Magnesia while Parga had 38. Halkidiki again stood out with 66 such incidents.
Fines and enforcement
Under Greek law, fines for obstructing public access to the sea range from 2,000 euros to 60,000 euros, depending on the violation. Penalties apply to unauthorized constructions, waste dumping, blocked passages, or any activity that hinders direct access to the coast.
The government has highlighted that protecting public access is a priority as demand for beach space intensifies during peak tourism season. The MyCoast platform has given citizens a direct role in enforcement, and officials say inspections and fines will continue as reports are processed.
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