In more than 4,500 checks of citizen complaints involving beaches and landowners across the country, were carried out by the Rural Services of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance during the past 3 weeks.

During this period, extensive inspections were carried out in cooperation with the Greek Police and local municipalities at more than 150 beaches and more than 750 businesses. The complaints that were investigated came mainly through the MyCoast application and through telephone calls from citizens to the local Land Services.According to the ministry, the general picture from the massive inspections of the past few weeks is clearly improved compared to previous years as the majority of businesses operating on beaches have complied with the new rules and the new legal framework.

More than 20 beach sections

However, inspections of complaints also revealed several violations, ranging from the absence of signage to exceeding the space under occupation by additional umbrella seats, other structures and cases of unauthorized occupation without a concession contract.

All the businesses that were found to be in breach were subject to all the administrative fines provided for, while in cases where there was no contract, around 20 sealing of beach sections illegally occupied by umbrella stands in areas such as Rhodes were carried out, Mesolonghi, Volos, Corfu, Parga, Thessaloniki, Heraklion etc. These sections were returned for free use to the citizens. The fines imposed total more than 800,000 euros.

It is noted that the 6 regions of the country that collected the most complaints nationwide and were checked on a priority basis are:

– Halkidiki: 1,396 complaints were examined. The checks were carried out at 8 beaches and 38 businesses, where 8 violations were found. 8 cases were carried out in 8 locations and 8 cases were found.
– Preveza: 873 complaints were examined. The teams of inspectors carried out inspections at 6 beaches and 35 businesses where three violations were found. Only 6 companies and three inspections were carried out.
– Eastern Attica: 570 complaints were examined. During inspections at 17 beaches and 49 businesses in the area, 8 violations were found and a corresponding number of administrative measures were imposed.

– Cyclades: 409 complaints were examined. Checks were carried out on 10 different beaches and 37 businesses where only one infringement was found. There were 10 beaches and only one violation was found.

There were 10 beaches and only one violation was found.
– Corfu: 325 complaints were examined. Checks at 3 beaches and 5 businesses resulted in 3 violations. 325 complaints were received.

– Dodecanese: 163 complaints were examined. 9 infringements were found from the checks carried out on 10 beaches and 23 businesses. 1616 complaints.

The ministry says that the checks are to continue even more intensively in the coming period, giving priority to those areas with the most complaints from citizens and those where there are a large number of anonymous complaints.