An extensive surveillance plan is currently underway across Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, targeting tax evasion and the protection of public spaces. The control framework, implemented by competent authorities including the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), covers thousands of seasonal businesses—from hotels and vacation rentals to tavernas, beach bars, and coastal concessions—ensuring strict monitoring throughout the tourism season.
These checks have already begun in the early weeks of summer, with AADE teams systematically visiting islands, mainland destinations, and coastal areas. They now use modern tools such as tablets, portable scanners, and real-time access to business tax profiles via the MyData system. Cross-checking happens on the spot, while businesses showing inconsistencies or signs of income concealment are placed under further scrutiny.
For the first time, a pre-emptive tax collection measure has been introduced for businesses with a history of repeat violations or those considered high-risk. AADE is activating provisions from the new Tax Procedure Code, which allows for the advance collection of taxes in cases where there is documented suspicion of tax evasion—even before a declaration is filed. This ensures that businesses that typically disappear after the tourist season without paying taxes and VAT can be identified early.
A business may be inspected twice: initially by a mixed team conducting a general check, followed by a second inspection from another unit such as UEDD or a different regional authority, based on collected data. Every visit includes a detailed transaction record to ensure immediate comparability with tax documentation.
Special attention is also given to businesses operating on beaches. Oversight includes legal matters—such as permits, licenses, and Natura zones—as well as practical concerns like unauthorized umbrellas, bars, or other constructions. The granting process now takes place exclusively through the eauctions.gsis.gr platform, with 6,500 contracts already active and over 1,200 new concessions under auction.
In just two months—May and June—the Ministry of Finance received more than 3,000 complaints regarding illegal activities and violations on beaches. Of these, 2,667 were submitted in June and around 300 in May. More than half have already been inspected, resulting in fines reaching or exceeding €60,000. Geographically, Eastern Attica (396 reports), Chalkidiki, Magnesia (189), Rhodes (164), and Preveza (133) lead the list. These violations mainly involve illegal structures and obstructed public access to the sea.
Violators face strict administrative measures: fines up to €60,000, immediate removal orders, business shutdowns, sealing of cash registers, and exclusion from future beach concession processes for up to ten years. For violations committed beyond contractual terms or without any concession, the fine is set at four times the legal compensation amount, with penalties increasing upon recurrence.
Inspection missions are already being carried out by mixed teams, but drones are now deployed for aerial surveillance in areas like Mykonos, Paros, Chalkidiki, Crete, and Rhodes. The collected material integrates into the MyCoast application, serving as a valuable tool for both citizens and enforcement agencies. Satellite imagery and digital mapping extend surveillance even to the most remote beaches.
The Ministry of Finance asserts that it now possesses the necessary institutional and technological arsenal to guarantee legality, protect public space, and ensure fair treatment for all businesses. Inspections in restaurants, tourist accommodations, and beach concessions will intensify as August approaches, aiming to eliminate images of disorder associated with previous summers.