The Municipality of Athens imposes strict rules on outdoor seating with QR codes
A new regulation on the occupation and use of public spaces by shops and businesses was implemented by the Municipality of Athens on June 2 in order to ensure the proper use of public space.
Thus, as part of the Municipal Police’s intensive checks to enforce the new regulations, a coordinated operation was carried out last week (June 4) in Agia Irini Square.
Four establishments of public health interest were inspected, three of which did not have a permit to occupy public space, while the fourth was found to be exceeding the permitted space.
All illegally placed objects were removed and an equal number of removal reports were drawn up.
Specifically, 15 tables, 48 chairs, and 4 sofas were removed, restoring legality and free access to the square.
According to the new regulatory decision:
1. QR codes with the necessary store information are placed. Stores and kiosks that have a license to occupy public space are required to display a clear and well-maintained sign with a QR code on their facade by September 30, 2025.
Every citizen and supervisory authority will be able to scan and have immediate access to the store’s license, the license for functional or decorative elements (wooden floors, tables and chairs, umbrellas, awnings, display cases, etc.), as well as the floor plan of the public space that has been granted.
2. Penalties and fines are being tightened. The latest legislation from the ministry, which accepted the relevant recommendation from the municipality of Athens, will be applied. Specifically, the arbitrary use of public space will be punished with a fine three times the corresponding fee.
Each new violation will be punished with the corresponding fine.
If a second violation of arbitrary use of public space is found, the tables and chairs will be removed, while on the third violation, the store will be sealed for 1-10 days (previously it was up to 5 days).
Furthermore, a new fine has been added for obstructing blind crossings, with the maximum amount per square meter quadrupled.
3. It is prohibited to place chairs in restricted areas. To ensure the free passage of citizens, no public space less than 0.30 m wide may be allocated, effective from January 1, 2026, while, with immediate effect, chairs may not be placed in allocated space less than 0.40 m wide.