Management of Beaches in Croatia: Concessions, Permits, and the Public Interest

This paper analyses the new Croatian legal framework governing the economic use of beaches, with particular emphasis on concessions and permits introduced by the Maritime Domain and Seaports Act (MDSPA) of 2023. Beaches are a strategic tourism resource and managing them requires balancing general access with the imperatives of sustainable economic development. The first part presents the categorisation of beaches, statutory limitations on granting concessions, and specific safeguards to protect the public interest, such as the prohibition of fencing and the charging of entrance fees. The second part addresses the new regime of permits on the maritime domain. Furthermore, the paper emphasises the importance of planning through the Maritime Domain Management Plan, which is intended to reconcile the objectives of coastal preservation, general use, and economic exploitation. Finally, the analysis considers international conventions, EU directives, and strategic documents that frame the objectives of sustainable management of the coastal and marine environment, with relevance for beaches.