The Greek government has approved new construction regulations aimed at curbing mass tourism to protect well-known holiday islands such as Rhodes and Santorini. The measures are designed to preserve the landscape from unregulated building and better protect the coast.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stated that the new rules will categorize regions based on their tourist load. In particularly burdened island regions, new hotels will be allowed to have a maximum of 100 beds. Additionally, new constructions must be built on large plots of land, which must be at least eight to 16 hectares depending on the region.
The measures aim to prevent an increasing number of buildings from being haphazardly placed in the landscape. Furthermore, the construction of new buildings will be generally prohibited within a 25-meter area from the sea, with exceptions for necessary access or emergency routes. The goal is to create a more sustainable tourism model that places less strain on the environment and infrastructure.
Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou described the new regulations as a "historic reform." The corresponding ministerial decree is set to come into effect at the end of June. In 2025, nearly 38 million tourists visited Greece, marking a record. Islands like Santorini and Mykonos are often overcrowded during peak season, leading to traffic chaos and rising rents.
