Every year, blue flags awarded by a private organization spark both expectations and debates. On one side, many Spanish coastal destinations see these distinctions as a sign of beach, cove, and swimming area quality. Yet voices grow louder questioning their real benefits and the criteria behind the award. Are blue flags genuinely meaningful? Do they align with objective measures?
Last summer, a scientific study titled The spatio-temporal evolution of blue flag beaches in the Balearic Islands (1987-2018), their improvement and the consequences of their morphological improvement, was conducted by geographers and geologists from the Universitat de les Illes Balears and the Universitat Girona. The study concluded that blue flags have not prevented or reversed degradation caused by heavy coastal use.
Researchers Francesc Xavier Roig, Josep Pintó, José Àngel Martín Prieto, and Antonio Rodríguez Perea analyzed 20 Balearic beaches with Blue Flag status and found that the award alone does not contribute to the geomorphological development of the beach system.
Some of the award-winning beaches
There are no improvements associated with the Blue Flag at the analyzed beaches. The authors suggest rethinking the usefulness of this label or adopting new environmental accreditation criteria that account for the specific features of beaches rather than treating them as simple sunbathing spaces.
Where do blue flags come from? The Blue Flag began in France in 1985 as a private initiative and spread rapidly across Europe and beyond. In Spain, the award is currently managed by the Environment and Consumer Education Association and the Environmental Education Foundation.
The main objection is that a beach can only receive a blue flag if it is well equipped with services and infrastructure, i.e., urbanized. Natural, untouched beaches would struggle to meet the criteria, even though supporters argue the flag defends the environment. A local mayor once described this as a contradiction after choosing not to accept the award for a few summers.
No positive geo-environmental contribution
The study’s authors from the University of Girona and the Balearic Islands note that the Blue Flag encourages high service levels, including leisure amenities, but does not advance geo-environmental understanding of beach conditions. Some municipalities have opted to forgo Blue Flags in favor of other certifications such as EMAS or ISO.
Leaders in Catalonia and tourism officials from the Balearic Islands have criticized the initiative, describing it as an advertising brand rather than a genuine quality marker. They noted that inspections on beaches are often minimal.
Blue Flag in Playa de Muro (Mallorca)
Former Balearic government vice-president Biel Barceló has argued that the flag and beach quality are two separate issues, calling for clearer controls and noting a government proposal for a €21,000 fee that was not prioritized. The discussion reflects broader concerns about the balance between branding and environmental reality.
The organizing entity defends the initiative
Ana Pérez-Montero, director of the Blue Flag in Spain, explains that the program is funded through contracts, agreements, and subsidies from various ministries across autonomous communities. Municipalities and marinas in many regions do not pay fees, while in the Balearic Islands and Cantabria they pay a participation fee of about 450 euros per application. This income covers materials, personnel, activities, and advisory services provided by the organization.
Not every beach qualifies. The first requirement is excellent bathing water quality, assessed through samples during the swimming season. The program lists 29 criteria across four categories: water quality, information and environmental education, beach environmental management (including compliance with Beach Law), waste management, restroom availability, and safety including lifeguard presence and accessibility for people with disabilities. The Blue Flag also considers infrastructure, but it does not mandate features like showers or hammocks. Accessibility is essential, and some beaches meet the criteria with parking-accessible facilities rather than on-sand amenities.
Regarding controversy over criteria, the organization maintains that the system promotes continuous improvement with deadlines and commitments. A beach that violates coastal codes at the time of judging can still receive the flag if the city resolves the issue by the following year.
In recent editions, the program has included coastal defense considerations. Municipalities must identify habitats of community benefit and prioritize dune regeneration and seagrass protection, starting projects to fence dune areas and remove interfering infrastructures where necessary to improve conservation status. The aim is to strengthen conservation over the next summer season through gradual criterion implementation.
…