The Ministry of Environment describes as false claims that the new Special Spatial Plan for Tourism allows construction just 25 meters from the sea and will lead to the “concretization” of beaches. According to the ministry, the new Tourism Special Spatial Plan not only does not reduce environmental protection, but strengthens it and tightens the existing framework.

The 50-meter setback provided for under current legislation for the construction of the main buildings of hotels remains fully in force.

The new Special Spatial Plan does not permit hotels to be built 25 meters from the sea, nor does it make any existing building regulation less restrictive.

On the contrary, it adds a new and stricter level of protection.

Specifically, it explicitly provides:

“Zero to twenty-five (0–25) meters from the shoreline: complete prohibition of alterations and construction. Only modifications to provide access for people with disabilities and ambulances are permitted, as well as works provided for under Law 2971/2001 (Government Gazette A’ 285), as most recently amended by Law 5170/2025 (A’ 6).”

This provision not only does not conflict with the existing legal framework, but actually tightens it in favor of environmental protection.

Within the first 25 meters from the shoreline, all new alterations and construction are prohibited, with only strictly necessary and specifically defined exceptions (such as access for people with disabilities, ambulances, etc.). Until now, there had been no such provision in areas outside designated urban plans.

Therefore, the 25 meters do not constitute a new construction setback. They constitute an additional, horizontal protection zone, which operates cumulatively alongside all the restrictions already imposed by law.

Similarly, for the Cyclades and other environmentally sensitive or heavily tourism-dependent island areas, additional restrictions on construction are being introduced. The minimum required plot size will increase, depending on the area’s category, from 8 to 16 stremmas (in areas outside designated urban plans). At the same time, for the first time, a capacity criterion based on the number of beds will be introduced, with a maximum of 100 beds in the designated categories.

Consequently, construction opportunities are not being expanded; they are being restricted and subjected to stricter rules.

The new Special Spatial Plan does not remove any existing environmental protections. On the contrary, it adds new restrictions and safeguards, based on a clear principle: tourism development with rules, moderation, and respect for the environment.