New Covid-19 Rules for Ferry Travel in Greece

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Greek authorities announced new measures applying to travel by ferry to and from the islands and mainland in view of Covid-19 and the onslaught of Omicron.

According to the latest legislation which applies to coastal shipping transportation regardless of destination (from ports of mainland Greece to the islands and other mainland ports, between the islands, as well as from the islands to mainland ports), embarkation is allowed to travelers who:

– have been vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days ahead of trip and hold a vaccination certificate

– are over 60 and are fully vaccinated (ie have received the booster shot if seven months have passed since the second dose of a vaccination)

or tested negative with a PCR test taken 72 hours ahead of travel

or hold a negative rapid test result taken 48 hours before planned trip

– have a Covid recovery certificate which has been issued 14 days after the first positive result and which is valid for 90 days.

More specifically, recovery certificates issued from July 8, 2021 to October 31, 2021 remain valid for up to 180 days after the first positive test and not beyond January 31, 2022, legislation says.

Recovery certificates issued between November 1, 2021 and December 14, 2021 are valid for 90 days.

Ferry travel is also allowed to:

– holders of an EU Digital Covid Certificate or a relevant certificate from authorized third countries

– unvaccinated passengers with a negative result from either a PCR or rapid test carried out at a private health center, clinic, or pharmacy and paid for individually.

In case of travel from islands that have no private health centers, clinics or pharmacies, testing is conducted at municipal medical centers and negative results are presented upon embarkation.

Children aged 4-17 can travel with a negative self-test taken 24 hours before scheduled travel time. Self-test results are issued through the government website gov.gr.

All travelers by ferry are required – depending on category above – to present relevant testing results or certificates and some form of ID before embarkation and departure.

The use of high protection masks (FFP2 or N95) or double masks is mandatory in all public areas on board the ferry.

Due to longer pre-boarding inspections, travelers are advised to arrive at the port earlier to facilitate check-in.