Beachgoers in Greece could face fines ranging from €50 to €1,000 for violations involving paddleboards, rackets, portable speakers and unauthorized camping, as authorities remind the public of beach regulations ahead of the peak August tourist season.
Under Greece's General Port Regulation No. 20, stand-up paddleboards are classified as recreational watercraft requiring an approved flotation device and safe distance from swimmers. Failing to wear a life jacket can result in a €250 fine, while other safety violations carry penalties of €50 to €200.
Beach rackets, a staple of Greek summer, are not banned outright, but their use is governed by local municipal ordinances and public nuisance rules. In the municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, south of Athens, violations can draw fines of up to €1,000.
Portable speakers are permitted but subject to noise pollution regulations; local authorities can impose penalties when music causes excessive disturbance to other beachgoers.
Free camping — pitching tents, parking RVs or erecting temporary structures on beaches, in forests or other protected areas — remains strictly prohibited under Greek law, carrying a €300 fine per person, with additional penalties possible depending on the violation.
Authorities also urged caution with personal watercraft such as jet skis and inflatables, which must stay clear of designated swimming areas to prevent accidents.
Beyond fines, officials stressed that safety remains the top priority.
Swimmers are advised to follow lifeguard instructions, heed warning flags, avoid using watercraft in dangerous weather conditions, refrain from littering on sand or in the water, and respect the space and quiet of fellow beachgoers.
The reminders come as Greek beaches brace for a surge of visitors in the coming weeks, with
August marking the height of the country's summer tourist season.