Rome is in the midst of a heated battle over the management of Italy’s beach concessions, which has been ongoing for almost two decades. The European Commission has repeatedly clashed with Italy, accusing the country of non-transparent practices and breaching competition rules regarding beach concessions. Italian governments have resisted EU directives for competitive tendering, opting to renew existing concessions without open procedures.

The recent extension of beach concessions by the far-right government has left Rome with no choice but to comply with EU regulations starting in 2025. This decision has stirred uncertainty and concern among beach operators, many of whom have inherited concessions through generations. Critics argue that these long-standing concessions have created a monopoly and hindered economic reforms in Italy.

The costs for beach-goers vary widely across the Italian coast, ranging from 25 euros for basic amenities to hundreds of euros for high-end resorts. Beach operators argue that they have made significant investments to enhance customer experience and now seek compensation for potential changes in concession regulations.

In protest against government decisions, hundreds of beach operators recently went on strike by symbolically closing their umbrellas for two hours. They are advocating for operators with long-standing businesses to have priority in tenders or receive compensation if they lose their concessions. Economists suggest that beach concession owners have benefited from their privileged positions for years, returning minimal proceeds to the Italian state.

Despite assertions by the Italian government that there is no scarcity of beach resources due to a reported mapping of the coastline, EU representatives argue that the mapping does not consider all factors. Members of the “Mare Libero” association advocate for more free access on Italian beaches and demand at least 50% to be designated as free beaches. The group hopes that new bidding rules will ensure fair competition and access for beach-goers in the future.