Every year, blue flags awarded by the private organization that promotes them spark discussion and set expectations. This year in Spain, the program lists 729 flags across beaches and marinas. These badges are highly sought after by tourist destinations because they appear to signal quality for beaches, coves, and other swimming areas. Yet many voices question their real benefits and the objective criteria behind the award. Are blue flags genuinely beneficial and do they meet the stated standards?
In the summer of 2021, a study titled The spatio-temporal evolution of blue flag beaches in the Balearic Islands (1987-2018), implications for their improvement and morphological recovery, conducted by geographers and geologists from the Universitat de les Illes Balears and the Universitat de Girona, concluded that blue flags have not contributed to mitigating, restoring, or reversing deterioration caused by heavy visitor pressure on coastal zones.
The researchers, Francesc Xavier Roig, Josep Pintó, José Àngel Martín Prieto, and Antonio Rodríguez Perea, analyzed 20 beaches on the Balearic Islands bearing the Blue Flag, confirming that the award alone does not drive geomorphological development of the beach system. It does not meaningfully alter sand dunes or other coastal forms.
El Saler beach in Valencia appears in visual materials accompanying discussions on the topic.
There are no significant developments related to the Blue Flag on the beaches studied. The usefulness of this label should be reassessed, or new environmental accreditation criteria should be introduced to reflect the complexity and unique characteristics of beaches rather than treating them as simple sunbathing spaces, according to the study’s authors.
Where do blue flags originate? The award began in 1985 from a private foundation in France. As acceptance grew, the idea spread quickly across Europe and then to other parts of the world. Today, Spain awards the flag through ADEAC and the Environmental Education Foundation, with a national framework guiding selection and oversight.
The main objection is that a beach can receive a blue flag only if it is equipped with extensive services and infrastructure—urbanized and developed. This makes it difficult for a natural and untouched beach to qualify, even though the issuing body claims environmental protection remains the aim. A few summers ago, a mayor of a tourist town abandoned the effort to win this award.
There is no positive contribution in terms of geoenvironment
Critics note that the flags can be inefficient. The Girona and Balearic researchers emphasize that while blue flags align with high service levels, they do not prioritize understanding the natural conditions of the beaches. Some municipalities have abandoned blue flags in favor of other certifications, such as EMAS or ISO, aiming for processes that reflect actual environmental performance.
The mayors of Catalonia and tourism officials from the Balearic Islands have criticized the initiative, arguing that the flags function mainly as advertising tools rather than as indicators of true beach quality. A former mayor of Begur stated that inspections of beaches are often minimal and questioned the value of the certification.
Blue flags are sometimes seen as a marketing brand rather than a reliable measure of environmental quality. A notable figure, Biel Barceló, former vice-president of the Balearic Government, noted that blue flags and beach quality are not the same thing and suggested that red tape and costs deserve scrutiny. He also highlighted concerns about course fees and budgeting priorities for coastal management.
The issuing organization defends the initiative
The director of the Blue Flag program in Spain explains that the flag is funded through contracts, agreements, and subsidies from multiple ministries and regional authorities. Fees vary by region and locality, and the funds cover materials, personnel, activities, and consultancy associated with the program. Not every beach earns the award, and the first requirement is excellent bathing-water quality based on seasonal samples. The program lists 29 criteria across four categories: water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management of the beach including compliance with beach regulations, waste management, restroom availability, safety with adequate staffing, and lifeguard services or facilities for people with disabilities at every beach.
However, the program’s administrator concedes that a pristine, untouched beach cannot aspire to these flags, since minimal infrastructure is required. One criterion states beaches must be accessible, so a pristine beach with dangerous access would not qualify. Public toilets in parking areas may substitute for sand-based facilities, and a lifeguard station and lookout points are often placed in parking areas or adjacent zones. The flag does not mandate showers, hammocks, or other amenities, depending on beach size and daily changes to infrastructure.
Regarding controversy over the award criteria, the issuing organization defends the system and denies that criteria have fundamentally changed. The aim is continuous improvement, sometimes implemented gradually with deadlines and compliance mechanisms. The council may award a blue flag to a beach with minor coastal-code violations if the council agrees to address them for the following year.
In recent editions, Blue Flag Spain has begun incorporating criteria related to coastal defense. Coastal municipalities should identify priority habitats for dune restoration or the presence of protected species like Posidonia. They should begin projects to install fences on dunes if lacking, and remove or adjust infrastructures on dunes as needed. The forthcoming summer flag will prioritize habitats for dune restoration and ensure conservation through gradual implementation of these criteria.
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Notes on regulatory context and ongoing reform efforts are provided for readers seeking a practical understanding of how coastal management policies align with beach quality indicators, with attention to both ecological health and public access. The overall aim remains to balance recreational use with environmental stewardship, even as assessments and criteria evolve to reflect real-world conditions and emerging coastal challenges.