Greece has introduced new 'strict' beach rules that will affect UK holidaymakers. The country has passed a new beach bill which will be 'strictly enforced', especially as the summer season approaches.
These new rules aim to improve public access to Greece's famous coastlines and make beaches more orderly. One of the changes, due to start this spring, is that 70 per cent of Greek beaches must be free of sunbeds to prevent overcrowding and make sunbathing more enjoyable.
This increases to 85 per cent in protected areas. There will also be a minimum distance of four metres between sunbeds and the shoreline to make it easier for people to get to the water. 'Untouchable beaches' will be established in ecologically-sensitive areas where sunbeds are completely banned.
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According to the new law, at least half of the beaches must remain open to the public. This is to prevent areas from being taken over by rental umbrellas and bars, reports Birmingham Live.
In recent years, there has been an increasing issue with beaches being taken over by hotels and beach businesses, limiting public access. Lease allocations for concessions will also be awarded through online auctions to avoid any underhand deals and increase transparency.
The leader of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has told everyone about new rules on TikTok. He said that people who don't follow the rules will get into more trouble.
There will be special machines near beaches for people to tell if beachfront businesses are not complying. They will even use drones to check, and businesses face fines if they are caught breaking the law.
The Greek minister, Kostis Hatzidakis, said: "This summer a lot will change on our beaches."
