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Italian authorities are expanding free public access to beaches as private concessions face growing scrutiny. In several areas, privately operated sections are being reduced or returned to public use.
In Ostia, near Rome, authorities have closed several private beach clubs and are demolishing two commercial facilities. The affected sections will become public beaches, with the city aiming to increase freely accessible coastline from around 1.2 to 6.5 kilometres. Similar efforts are under way in Liguria and Apulia.
The changes come amid a long-running dispute over Italy’s beach concessions. Although much of the coastline is public property, more than half of the country’s beaches have been operated for decades through private concessions, often renewed without competition.
The EU has challenged these automatic renewals and requires transparent, competitive tenders, with Italy expected to reorganise the system by 2027. Campaigners have also pushed for greater free access, arguing that large parts of the coastline have become expensive or difficult for the public to use.
