British tourists warned as Greece introduces 'strict' rules that will affect beachgoers in 2024

With tourism growing year on year, however, authorities on the island are battling to save beaches from the invasion of commercial sunbeds.

The Meditteranean hotspot has now approved a new bill to make crowded sandy areas more organised in the coming weeks. However, this could affect the holiday experience of Britons.

A “strict” new law has been passed that will stop businesses from putting up umbrellas and beds in designated areas. ​

Authorities are tightening up on the rules to maintain a sense of order on beach fronts and provide locals with free access to shorelines.

Protests from residents demanding space and free access to sandy beaches led to a growing movement against the expansion of sunbeds last year.

The protests, dubbed the ‘Towel Movement’ by the media, were prominent in tourist destinations like Paros and its neighbouring island Naxos.

The new restrictions were detailed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a clip posted on TikTok.

“This summer, a lot will change on our beaches,” the politician declared, adding that businesses caught breaking the law could face hefty fines.

Greek authorities have warned that the rules could see a limit on the number of sunbeds available in crowded areas, which will be under inspection by drones.

One of the changes to be imposed imminently could see 70 per cent of Greek beaches become sunbed-free by the beginning of spring.

The bill also requires all sunbeds to be four meters away from the shoreline to make it easier for people to access the water.

Authorities will also declare specific beaches “untouchable” in ecologically sensitive regions, where sunbeds could be banned altogether.

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Beaches have always been public in the southern European nation, but more and more businesses have received licences to rent out sun beds and umbrellas, often charging locals hefty sums to use the space.

In 2023, Reuters reported that the price of two loungers and an umbrella could sometimes reach 100 euros a day.

It comes as visitors travelling to Spain in the next weeks have been warned about little-known rules in Spain.

Anyone who enters a beach between the hours of midnight and 7am can incur a fine between €750 (£641) and €1,200 (£1,026).