Yes, beekeeping is legal in Greece, subject to compliance with national and EU regulations, including the 2026 amendments to Law 3175/2003 on veterinary public health and the EU Regulation 2016/429 on animal health. Local authorities, such as the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MRDF) and regional veterinary services, enforce registration and disease control measures. Urban beekeeping is permitted but may require municipal permits under Law 4495/2017.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Greece
- Registration and Notification: Beekeepers must register hives with the MRDF via the Hellenic Beekeeping Information System (HBIS) and notify local veterinary authorities of hive movements, per Ministerial Decision 10656/2021. Failure to register risks fines up to €5,000 under Law 3175/2003.
- Disease Control and Biosecurity: Mandatory annual inspections for Varroa destructor and Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) are enforced under EU Decision 2020/466. Infected hives must be quarantined or destroyed, with compensation available under the National Beekeeping Program 2023–2027.
- Urban and Suburban Restrictions: Municipalities may impose additional zoning laws (e.g., Athens’ 2022 Beekeeping Regulation), limiting hive density (max 5 hives per 500m²) and mandating buffer zones near schools or hospitals. Violations may result in hive removal orders.
Additional compliance includes adherence to EU pesticide residue limits (Regulation 396/2005) and the Greek Code of Good Beekeeping Practices (2024), which prohibits synthetic acaricides without veterinary approval. Non-EU bee imports require a Veterinary Health Certificate and 30-day quarantine.