Strict Checks on Ferry Travel Documents in Greece will Continue, Says Minister

Greek Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis on Tuesday said controls to check travellers’ compulsory documents for ferry travel have tightened and will continue to be strict for the rest of the summer.

The strict controls are part of the Greek government’s effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Speaking to SKAI TV, Plakiotakis said that during the last few days, more than 12,000 people that lacked the necessary documentation had not been allowed to board ferries to travel.

Officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard are in charge of checking the documents of travelers at ports before they board ferries to the islands.

Plakiotakis added that the ministry would soon put into force a new operational plan to strengthen the checks at ports on the return of travelers from the islands.

Necessary documents for ferry travel

Photo: Theastock / Shutterstock.com

It is reminded that all ferry passengers must fill out a health declaration questionnaire (press here to submit online or here to print it out) before traveling from the mainland to the Greek islands. They must also have one of the following:

– a vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate
– a negative PCR test performed less than three days (72 hours)
– a negative rapid antigen test taken 48 hours prior to travel

Travelers may alternatively present, in digital or printed form, an EU Digital COVID Certificate or an equivalent digital certificate from a non-EU country, as proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19 or received a negative test result (48-hour rapid test or 72-hour PCR) or recovered from the coronavirus.

When traveling back to the mainland must also have one of the following:

– a vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate
– a negative PCR test performed less than three days (72 hours)
– a negative rapid antigen test taken 48 hours prior to travel
– an EU Digital COVID Certificate
– a negative self-test taken 24 hours before travel (negative self-test results must be filled out on the self-test declaration form found here in English and Greek – travelers must print out the forms)

Press here for details on the rules for ferry travel in Greece.

Travelers are advised to also contact their travel agent or ferry company to confirm the requirements before their trip.