Italy’s coastline is the focus of an ongoing debate over public access versus private concessions, as thousands of kilometres of beaches have increasingly been claimed by private operators through long-term rental agreements known as concessioni balneari. These bathing concessions, often elaborately maintained lidos equipped with umbrellas, deck chairs, bars, pools, and sports facilities, dominate a significant portion of the country’s sandy shores, limiting access to those who can pay for the privilege.

Italy’s coast stretches nearly 8,000 kilometres, with some 30,000 licensed lidos in operation. According to a 2022 report by the environmental group Legambiente, approximately 43% of these sands are occupied by private enterprises. This privatization trend is especially pronounced in regions like Tuscany and Romagna where publicly accessible beaches are scarce. In towns such as Forte dei Marmi, nearly the entire beachfront (94%) is under private concession, and some Adriatic towns had none until pressure from activists forced a small percentage of free beach to be designated.

The system has drawn criticism for its exclusivity and the erosion of public space. Danilo Ruggiero, director of the Mare Libero campaign advocating for “free seas,” describes many lidos as self-contained resorts guarded by fences and gates, effectively barring public entry and obstructing views of the sea. In Campania, the region around Naples, private concessions account for 70% of the coast, jumping to 95% in Naples itself. There, Mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione of Bacoli has emerged as a vocal opponent of restricted beach access, targeting illegal occupancy and “legalized squatting” where fines paid to authorities have seemingly legitimized unauthorized use.

Bacoli, situated on volcanic land northwest of Naples, exemplifies this conflict. The town’s council owns a significant share of its land, but much of the coastline had been controlled by mafia-linked interests. Through anti-mafia seizures and local government initiatives, several locations, including the historically significant Villa Ferretti beach, have been returned to public use with parks and cultural spaces established. However, some beaches remain difficult to access, with exclusive military and private club holdings dominating well-known spots like Miseno.

Opponents of privatization highlight the lack of facilities, safety services, and cleanliness on many free beaches. Activists acknowledge challenges like litter and limited amenities but insist these issues require cultural change and improved public management rather than privatization. Campaigns such as those organized by Mare Libero have successfully challenged gated beaches in court, winning rulings that favor open access, as seen recently in Naples with Donn’Anna beach.

The system’s origins date back nearly a century, beginning as modest concessions for small beach kiosks but evolving into highly profitable enterprises generating estimated annual revenues in the billions of euros. Many lidos report average profits of around €260,000 yearly, despite the state collecting relatively low fees for the permits, which have historically been renewed automatically. European Union directives, including the 2006 Bolkestein directive, have called for transparent, limited-duration concessions awarded through competitive bidding, but successive Italian governments have repeatedly extended existing contracts, delaying meaningful reform until at least 2033.

Proponents of the lido model emphasize their role in ensuring beach safety, noting that organized concessions provide lifeguard services that have contributed to Italy’s relatively low drowning rates. They also argue that private management can help regulate visitor capacity and preserve fragile environments from overtourism, citing recent measures such as visitor caps and entrance fees on Sardinian beaches.

The debate reflects broader ideological divides: left-leaning critics frame beach access as a matter of public rights, ecological stewardship, and social justice, while conservative voices defend the lido system as vital to Italy’s tourism economy, which accounts for nearly 10% of GDP and attracts hundreds of millions of visitors annually. Some prominent politicians have investments in luxury beach resorts, underscoring the sector’s political and economic significance.

Looking ahead, tensions persist over how Italy will comply with EU rules while balancing the interests of private operators and public access advocates. Proposals to include compensation mechanisms for current concession holders and to prioritize experienced bidders in upcoming tenders have been met with skepticism by activists, who warn such measures may merely entrench the existing system. Meanwhile, local leaders like Della Ragione continue efforts to reclaim and democratize beach spaces, viewing the fight over Italy’s shores as part of a broader struggle to affirm the public good over entrenched interests.