The Greek government is launching a new nationwide digital platform for submitting applications related to the simple-use concession of seashore and beach zones (“aigialos”) by adjacent businesses and nautical sports clubs. The system goes live on 28 January 2026, following a Joint Ministerial Decision issued by the Ministries of National Economy & Finance and Digital Governance (Government Gazette, Issue B’, 283/26.01.2026, Decision No. 11996 ΕΞ 2026).
The reform represents a major shift for the Greek tourism economy, particularly for hotels, beach businesses, and destinations with strong coastal tourism. For years, hotel federations — including the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and local associations such as the Rhodes Hoteliers Association — have repeatedly called for a clearer, faster and more transparent process, highlighting longstanding distortions and inefficiencies.
A Fully Digital, Interoperable System
For the first time, Greece introduces a fully digital, end-to-end mechanism to manage concession requests.
The new platform is integrated with key state infrastructures including:
- TAXIS (tax authority system)
- e-paravolo (digital fee payments)
- The Registry of Seashore Concession Contracts
- Diavgeia (public transparency system)
- gov.gr (National Digital Portal)
Developed by the General Secretariat for Information Systems & Digital Governance (GSISDG) in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Public Property, the platform replaces the previous handwritten and fragmented process, marking one of the most substantial reforms to Greece’s coastal-zone management framework.
According to the Government Gazette:
“An electronic application platform for simple-use concession of coastal or beach sections to adjacent businesses or nautical clubs shall be created and operated through the gov.gr portal.”
Submission Deadlines — Special Provision for 2026
The Joint Ministerial Decision sets strict annual deadlines:
- Standard yearly deadline: 28 February
- Exception for 2026: 15 March 2026
Existing paper applications already filed will be completed under the old procedure.
However, if an applicant submits a new request through the digital platform, the earlier paper application is automatically considered withdrawn.
Full Digital Workflow: From Application to Signed Contract
The new process includes:
- Login via TAXISnet credentials
- Automatic pre-filling of business data
- Digital submission of the concession application
- Upload of supporting documents
- Review and pre-approval by the local Public Property Authority (Ktimatiki Ypiresia)
- Payment of fees via e-paravolo
- Digital signing of the concession contract
- Automatic publication on Diavgeia
Each application receives a unique protocol number and requires registration in the National Communication Registry.
Technical Specifications & Interoperability
The decision states:
“The platform shall interoperate with TAXIS, e-paravolo, Diavgeia, the National Communication Registry, and the Digital Public Property System (OPS).”
The system will be hosted on the G-Cloud (the government’s cloud infrastructure) and may be taken offline for maintenance and upgrades for up to 90 days per year.
GDPR and Data Protection
The Ministry clarifies that:
- Data Controller: General Directorate of Public Property
- Data Processor: GSISDG
- All data is fully protected under EU GDPR regulations.
A Milestone in Modernising Greece’s Public Property Management
The launch of the new platform on 28 January 2026 is expected to:
- Reduce bureaucracy
- Limit discretionary decision-making and loopholes
- Enhance transparency
- Accelerate processing times
- Support coastal tourism businesses in preparing for the 2026 season
- Serve as a foundation for a wider digital transformation of Greece’s public-property administration.
For a tourism-dependent country with over 15,000 kilometres of coastline and thousands of beach-adjacent businesses, the shift to a fully digital concession framework marks a structural reform with long-term operational and economic significance.
