Source: Source: European Union / Re-open EU
17.05.2022
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted in Iceland. Travellers do not need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result.
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
COVID-19 travel entry restrictions have been lifted in Iceland. Travellers are not required to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result.
May I transit this country?
COVID-19 travel measures have been lifted in Iceland. The usual transit rules apply.
National health measures
In Iceland, providing proof of full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result is not required to access public spaces.
Learn more:
Official website on COVID-19 information
Use of facemasks
The facemask mandate has been lifted.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
OPEN
Indoor and outdoor events can be held without restrictions.
Places of worship
OPEN
Places of worship are open without restrictions.
Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops
OPEN
All shops and service points are open without restrictions.
Tourist accommodations
OPEN
Tourist accommodations are open without restrictions.
Catering establishments
OPEN
Catering establishments are open without restrictions.
Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions
OPEN
Cinemas, museums and other cultural institutions are open without restrictions.
Personal care services
OPEN
Personal care services are open without restrictions.
Outdoors areas and beaches
Outdoor areas and beaches are open without restrictions.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
01.03.2022
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
All COVID-19 measures at the Icelandic border have now ended. Thereby no COVID-19 prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Please note that visa requirements have not changed.
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
All travellers aged 17 and older can enter Iceland if their ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ contains one of the following:
- Proof of full vaccination. Accepted vaccines: Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer), Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), Janssen, Covidshield, BIBP/Sinopharm, CoronaVac, Covaxin and Covovax.
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: 180 days.
- Negative to a pre-departure RT-PCR test. Validity: 72 hours.
Learn more:
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
Documents equivalent to the ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ (EUDCC) in Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English are also accepted, if they meet the same requirements listed above for the EUDCC.
Learn more:
General information
Certificates
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
All COVID-19 measures at the Icelandic border have now ended. Thereby no COVID-19 prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Please note that visa requirements have not changed.
What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?
From Iceland
Residents of Iceland are advised not to travel to risk areas without vaccination. All countries are currently defined as risk areas due to COVID-19.
To Iceland
All COVID-19 measures at the Icelandic border have now ended. Thereby no COVID-19 prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Please note that visa requirements have not changed.
May I transit this country?
YES
General measures
Information on the situation in the country is available on the official website on COVID-19 information.
All public restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted, both domestically and at the border.
- Limits to the number of people at gatherings are none
- Social distancing rules are none
- Masks are not mandatory anywhere
- Restrictions on any kind of operations are no longer applicable, neither the obligation to register guests nor restrictions on opening hours
Despite the lifting of all restrictions, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing domestically, although severe consequences are rare. Therefore, everyone is still advised to pay close attention to various aspects of testing, treatment and infection control to minimize, as much as possible, uncontrolled spread of the epidemic and any serious consequences.
Use of facemasks
The use of facemasks is no longer mandatory anywhere.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing is no longer mandatory anywhere.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
There are no longer restrictions on the number of people at gatherings and events.
Places of worship
Open with limitations
OPEN
Quarantine
You will be quarantined if:
You are travelling from abroad and do not have a certificate of vaccination or a recent previous COVID-19 infection.
You will not be quarantined if:
- You present a valid vaccination certificate or a certificate of previous infection when entering the country.
- You live in a home with an individual who has been infected with COVID-19. Then you will undergo special precaution.
- You have come into contact with someone outside the home who was later diagnosed with COVID-19. Then you will undergo special precaution.
- You have come into contact with someone who was later sent to quarantine.
- Less than 6 months have passed since a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Quarantine ends:
Quarantine can be shortened to 5 days if you get a PCR test: otherwise, quarantine is 14 days.
Learn more:
Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops
Open with limitations
OPEN
Pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores have no maximum limit on customers.
Tourist accommodations
Open with limitations
OPEN
Catering establishments
Open with limitations
OPEN
There are no longer any restrictions on cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions
Open with limitations
OPEN
There are no longer any restrictions on cinemas, musems and other indoor attractions.
Personal care services
Open with limitations
OPEN
Swimming and bathing pools, spas and gyms are open for 100% of permitted number of people. Equipment must be disinfected between users and all users must be registered.
Children younger than 6 are not included in this number.
Ski facilities
Open
OPEN
Ski slopes are permitted to accept 75% of their maximum acceptance limit for each area.
Children younger than 6 are not included in this number.
Information on Tourism at National level
Useful Info for tourists
____________________________________________________________________________
19.01.2022
EU Digital COVID Certificates
THIS COUNTRY IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE GATEWAY AND IS ISSUING AND/OR VERIFYING AT LEAST ONE EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE (VACCINATION, RECOVERY, TEST)
Information on ‘EU Digital COVID Certificates’ issued in Iceland
Important: In Iceland, the ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ (EUDCC) is required to indoor hospitality and events, cinemas and theatres, gyms and leisure centres, hotels, bars and restaurants. With the EUDCC, you must be able to show that you have been fully vaccinated against, has recovered from, or has tested negative for COVID-19. Please, consult the measures section for further details. Travelers are strongly advised to always carry relevant certificates.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation entered into force on 01 July 2021. EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate.
The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from Covid-19, or test result. Despite the European Digital COVID Certificate, each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what is required to enter upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your destination.
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Document checklist:
- Pre-registration form: all travellers, aged 17 and older, must fill it in before departure to Iceland.
- Proof of vaccination or proof of recovery in the prior 6 months (travellers who cannot present either of these two documents must present a negative result to a pre-departure RT-PCR test - valid 72 hours).
Entry rules
Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Iceland’s own national classification of risk areas.
Children younger than 17 are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements.
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
All travellers aged 17 and older can enter Iceland if their ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ contains one of the following:
- Proof of full vaccination. Accepted vaccines: Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer), Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), Janssen, Covidshield, BIBP/Sinopharm, CoronaVac, Covaxin and Covovax.
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: 180 days.
- Negative to a pre-departure RT-PCR test. Validity: 72 hours.
Learn more:
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
Documents equivalent to the ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ (EUDCC) in Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English are also accepted, if they meet the same requirements listed above for the EUDCC.
Learn more:
General information
Certificates
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Entry rules
Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Iceland’s own national classification of risk areas.
Children younger than 17 are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements.
Mandatory travel documents
- Pre-registration form: all travellers, aged 17 and older, must fill it in before departure to Iceland.
- Proof of vaccination or proof of recovery in the prior 6 months (travellers who cannot present either of these two documents must present a negative result to a pre-departure RT-PCR test - valid 72 hours).
Learn more:
General information
Certificates
What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?
People living in Iceland are strongly advised against unnecessary travel to risk areas due to COVID-19.
Travellers (born in 2004 and earlier) who are citizens or residents of Iceland or have ties to Iceland are required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 2 days from arrival. Testing can be obtained at Keflavik airport upon arrival. Otherwise testing is at Sudurlandsbraut 34 in Reykjavik or outside the capital area at certain primary health care centers. Note if there is a high demand for testing at the airport, passengers will be directed to Reykjavik/the primary health care service.
Learn more:
Recommendation regarding Travel Abroad
May I transit this country?
YES
Transit passengers who do not leave the airport are exempt from travel restrictions at the border.
General measures
Information on the situation in the country is available on the official website on COVID-19 information.
Important: In Iceland, the ‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’ (EUDCC) is required to access the following public spaces:
- Hotel, bars and restaurants
- Cinemas and theatres
- Gyms and leisure centres (excluding access to swimming pools or standalone swimming pool facilities)
To be valid, the EUDCC must contain one of the following:
- Proof of full vaccination. Accepted vaccines: Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer), Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), Janssen, Covidshield, BIBP/Sinopharm, CoronaVac, Covaxin and Covovax.
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: 180 days.
- Negative molecular (valid 72 hours) or antigen test result (valid 48 hours).
Citizens of countries that do not issue the EUDCC should provide equivalent certificates in Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English.
Travellers are strongly advised to always carry relevant certificates.
Use of facemasks
The use of facemasks is mandatory, in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, when the one-metre distancing rule cannot be observed. Exemptions:
- Children under 9 years old.
- People who do are unable to wear a face mask for health reasons.
Physical Distancing
At all workplaces and in other activities, the one-metre distance limit between people who are not closely linked must be ensured.
At gatherings where all guests are seated the one-metre rule is not effective, but a face mask must be worn.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
Indoors events
No indoor events, including entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, will take place after 8pm. In relation to events happening earlier in the day, attendance should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 1,000 attendees, whichever is the lower. This includes cinemas. This does not affect religious, educational, or normal workplace business activity and business events (for example: conferences, trade fairs).
You may be asked for contact tracing data (for example: name, contact number).
Wedding receptions can take place with a capacity limit of 100 guests and continue after 8pm. Midnight closing time still applies.
Outdoor events
Attendance at outdoor events, including entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
Family and social gatherings
People should limit their contacts throughout the coming period to the greatest degree possible and visits to private homes should be kept to a maximum of 3 other households (that is, 4 households in total).
Safety measures for public transportation
In all forms of public transport, facemasks are mandatory. Also, social distance should be maintained as much as possible. In some cases, temperature checks are conducted.
Places of worship
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
OPEN
Religious services can proceed without capacity limits but with all other protective measures remaining in place.
Quarantine
You will be quarantined if:
- You have come into contact with someone who turned out to be infected.
- You are travelling from abroad and do not have a certificate of vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection.
You will not be quarantined if:
- You have come into contact with someone who was later sent to quarantine.
- Your neighbour is infected (for example, in the same stairwell) unless you have had significant contact.
Quarantine ends
- Quarantine can be shortened to 5 days if you get tested; otherwise, quarantine is 14 days.
- You will automatically receive a bar code for the test; you do not need to register specifically for it.
- A quarantine that takes place in a home where someone is in isolation ends with a negative result from the test after isolation has been lifted. The household members can then expect quarantine for a day longer than isolation lasts. In order to fulfill the conditions for shortening the quarantine to 5 days, there must be a complete separation between the individual in isolation and the individual in quarantine.
Learn more:
Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
Pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores may accept up to 50 people. In addition, 5 persons are allowed for each 10 m2 of space to the maximum of 500 customers in their premises, if it is possible to ensure at least one-metre between persons who are unrelated.
Tourist accommodations
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
Catering establishments
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
All bars, cafes and restaurants, excluding take away or delivery services, close at 8 PM. This also applies to hotel restaurants and bars, except for overnight residents. A EUDCC is required to access all catering establishments. Please note that health protocols must be always respected:
- Table service only (no counter service)
- One-meter between tables
- Maximum 6 adults per table (maximum 15 persons when including children aged 12 and younger)
- No multiple table bookings and no intermingling
- Masks when not seated at table
You may be asked for contact tracing data (for example: name, contact, number).
Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
Cinemas are open: please note that a EUDCC is required to enter the building.
Performing arts, cinema theatres and other cultural events may have up to 50 persons on stage, i.e. during rehearsals and shows. Up to 50 seated guests may be accommodated in each area, and they must wear face masks. Seats must be numbered and registered with the attendee’s name, ID No. and telephone number. The 1-metre rule can be deviated from while seated. Children born in 2016 and later are not included in this number. Refreshments may not be sold during intervals. Up to 500 people may be allowed in each area provided they present a negative rapid antigen test taken no longer than 48 hours in advance at a certified test centre.
Nightclubs are closed.
Personal care services
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS
Swimming and bathing pools, spas and gyms are open. Please note that a EUDCC is required to access gyms and other leisure centres (excluding swimming pools).
Ski facilities
OPEN
Further limitations may apply.
Other measures
Work
Everyone should work from home unless it is necessary to attend the workplace in person.
Useful Info for tourists
_______________________________________________________________
09.12.2021
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common ‘EU Traffic Lights’ map.
All passengers born in 2004 and earlier are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Rules at the borders are in force until 15 January 2022.
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
Vaccinated travellers, as well as those with a confirmed previous infection, have to present a valid certificate at the arrival.
- Vaccinated people: to have a valid certificate, 14 days have to have passed from the second dose (or 14 days from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson dose). If the time is shorter than 14 days, the certificate is not valid.
All vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation are accepted.
The vaccination certificates must fulfil the requirements described here. - People that have been infected with COVID-19: they must provide a certificate that fulfils the requirements described here.
The certificate must be submitted in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, or French. A certificate in another language may be valid if submitted along with a translation in one of the approved languages and verified by a certified translator.
Those who live in Iceland, or who have a network here, must go for COVID-19 testing within 48 hours of arriving in Iceland. They do not have to present a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Testing can be obtained at the border in Keflavík or at the health care centres all over Iceland. There is no need to quarantine while waiting for the results of this test, but travellers are asked to attend to personal infection control, limit contact with vulnerable individuals and be alert to the symptoms of COVID-19.
Rules for travellers without a network in Iceland: vaccinated passengers and those with prior infection of COVID-19 need to present a negative COVID-19 test Both a PCR test and a rapid antigen test are accepted. NB. self-tests are not accepted. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure on the first leg of the journey. Travellers who do not present a negative test upon arrival will be required to take a PCR-test at the border and to follow rules of quarantine until results are received. A 100 000 ISK fine is applied for not presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. If less than 14 days have passed from completion of vaccination then the traveller needs to undergo testing at the border and follow the rules on home quarantine until a negative result is obtained.
A traveller that has recently recovered from COVID-19 is exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Instead, they need to present a positive PCR-test, taken more than 14 days prior, but less than 180 days. These people do not need to have a second COVID-19 test when arriving in Iceland, even if they have a network in the country.
Testing and quarantine of children: Children under the age of 18 are permitted to travel to Iceland with their parents, given the parents are exempt from travel restrictions to Iceland. However, children born in or before 2004 need to undergo testing at the border, quarantine for 5 days and then be tested a second time, unless they have a certificate of full vaccination. Children born in 2005 or later are exempt from the rules at the border.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
If travellers don’t have any vaccination certificate or a certification that proves a previous COVID-19 infection or have a certificate that is not valid, they need to present a negative PCR test certificate against COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure. Travellers who do not present a negative PCR-test upon arrival can be refused entry at the border or financial penalties can be imposed. However, Icelandic citizens will not be refused entry.
The result of the test must be pre-recorded. The certificate must be submitted in either Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English. Certificates in other languages are not considered valid.
Additionally, passengers arriving in Iceland without proof of vaccination or prior infection, must undergo two more PCR tests: one at the border upon arrival, and another 5 days after the first. Between the two tests, a quarantine of 5 days is mandatory. People may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions.. Here is a list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
The second testing is done at health centres around Iceland. A bar code is sent to a mobile phone the night before testing. Those people who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must continue self-isolation.
A tourist is obliged to pre-register a departure date from Iceland if it is available. If the length of stay is shorter than the required time in quarantine, it will be examined separately, as there is a risk that the person in question will not follow the rules on quarantine.
Please note that violations of quarantine or isolation rules are subject to fines and the involvement of the authorities to prevent violations.
Testing and quarantine of children: Children under the age of 18 are permitted to travel to Iceland with their parents, given the parents are exempt from travel restrictions to Iceland. However, children born in or before 2004 need to undergo testing at the border, quarantine for 5 days and then be tested a second time, unless they have a certificate of full vaccination. Children born in 2005 or later are exempt from the rules at the border.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Quarantine at home
List of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine
Testing centres
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Note! New rules in effect due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, require all travellers who have stayed for more than 24 hours over the last 14 days in the following countries to pre-register, undergo PCR testing at the border upon arrival in the country and then stay in quarantine until the results are available from a second PCR test performed 5 days after arrival. Those who have no ties to Iceland must also present a negative COVID-test that is not older than 72 hours at boarding.
Travellers can pre-register without a certificate and then they undergo 2 tests and quarantine.
Countries: Botswana, Esvatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Travel restrictions do not apply to other EEA/EFTA-citizens and citizens of Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
Third-country citizens are still not authorised to travel to Iceland unless exemptions apply. Note: As of 1 January 2021, UK nationals have the status of third-country nationals.
Rules at the borders are in force until 15 January 2022.
Travellers from outside the EEA/EFTA area who are not relatives of an EEA/EFTA citizen and not from exempted countries may not enter Iceland unless the provide a valid reason. Valid reasons fall into the following categories:
- Passenger in airport transit
- Employees in healthcare services and geriatric services
- Employees responsible for the transportation of goods and services
- Individual travelling because of an acute family incident (i.e. serious illness, accident or demise)
- Individuals and delegations who travel to the country under the aegis of the Icelandic government, staff of diplomatic missions and other representatives of foreign countries; international organisation staff and their guests who need to travel to the country due to the activities of these organisations; members of armed forces travelling to Iceland for duty; humanitarian aid workers; staff of civil protection; and family members of the aforementioned parties
- Students*
- Persons who essentially need to travel to Iceland for business purposes of short duration and it cannot be postponed or performed abroad*
* Note! This does not apply to foreigners that have stayed in a defined high-risk zone for more than 24 hours in the past 14 days. Defined high-risk zones are: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
RULES AT BORDER
Provisions for travellers who are vaccinated or can provide valid proof of prior infection
Those who live in Iceland, or who have a network here, must go for COVID-19 testing within 48 hours of arriving in Iceland. They do not have to present a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Testing can be obtained at the border in Keflavík or at the health care centres all over Iceland. There is no need to quarantine while waiting for the results of this test, but travellers are asked to attend to personal infection control, limit contact with vulnerable individuals and be alert to the symptoms of COVID-19.
Rules for travellers without a network in Iceland: vaccinated passengers and those with prior infection of COVID-19 need to present a negative COVID-19 test Both a PCR test and a rapid antigen test are accepted. NB. self-tests are not accepted. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure on the first leg of the journey. A 100 000 ISK fine is applied for not presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. If less than 14 days have passed from completion of vaccination then the traveller needs to undergo testing at the border and follow the rules on home quarantine until a negative result is obtained.
Travellers (born 2004 and earlier) who are citizens or residents of Iceland or have ties to Iceland are required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 2 days from arrival, despite having a negative PCR or antigen test, which was taken before departure. Testing can be obtained at Keflavik airport upon arrival. Otherwise testing is at Sudurlandsbraut 34 in Reykjavik or outside the capital area at certain primary health care centres. Note if there is a high demand for testing at the airport, passengers will be directed to Reykjavik/the primary health care service.
A traveller that has recently recovered from COVID-19 is exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Instead, they need to present a positive PCR-test, taken more than 14 days prior, but less than 180 days. These people do not need to have a second COVID-19 test when arriving in Iceland, even if they have a network in the country.
Provisions for travellers who are not vaccinated or can’t provide valid proof of prior infection
Those people are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure to Iceland. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid.
Travellers who do not present a negative PCR-test upon arrival can be refused entry at the border or financial penalties can be imposed. However, Icelandic citizens will not be refused entry.
Additionally, these passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5 days after the first. Between the two tests, a quarantine of 5 days is mandatory. People may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions. If not, they need to stay at the government’s quarantine facility during their quarantine. Here is a list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
The second testing is done at health centres around Iceland. A bar code is sent to a mobile phone the night before testing. Those people who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must continue self-isolation.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
Defined areas with risk of infection and rules regarding border crossing
What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?
People living in Iceland are strongly advised against unnecessary travel to risk areas due to COVID-19.
Travellers (born in 2004 and earlier) who are citizens or residents of Iceland or have ties to Iceland are required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 2 days from arrival. Testing can be obtained at Keflavik airport upon arrival. Otherwise testing is at Sudurlandsbraut 34 in Reykjavik or outside the capital area at certain primary health care centers. Note if there is a high demand for testing at the airport, passengers will be directed to Reykjavik/the primary health care service.
Find out more:
Recommendation regarding Travel Abroad
May I transit this country?
Yes
Transit passengers who do not leave the airport are exempt from travel restrictions at the border.
May I fly to this country?
You can find the latest information on air travel regulations for this country on the IATA website.
You can also find information about air passenger rights on our portal for citizens.
General measures
Regulation on restrictions on gatherings due the pandemic will to 22 December 2021.
Limits to the number of people and the social distancing rule do not apply to children born 2016 or later. The obligation to wear a mask do not apply to children born 2006 or later.
Use of facemasks
Face masks must be worn wherever the one-metre social distancing rule cannot be observed between people who are not closely linked. The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children born 2006 or later.
Face masks must also be used where it is not possible to ensure a one-metre social distancing, such as in health care services, shops, museums, domestic flights and ferries, public transport, taxis and coaches, in practical driving lessons and flight training, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo parlours, dog grooming salons, tanning salons and other similar activities.
Those who do not have the understanding or maturity to use a face mask correctly or are unable to do so for other reasons, such as health reasons, do not have to wear a mask.
Physical Distancing
At all workplaces and in other activities, the 1-metre distance limit between people who are not closely linked must be ensured.
At gatherings where all guests are seated, the 1-metre rule is not effective, but a face mask must be worn.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
- The maximum number of people allowed in the same location is 50, with certain restrictions, both in public and private locations, outdoors and indoors.
- Restrictions on the number of people and social distancing rule do not apply to children born in 2016 or later.
Up to 500 people may attend an event, subject to all the following conditions:
- All attendees, born 2015 and before, must present either:
- a negative rapid antigen test or a negative PCR test taken no longer than 48 hours in advance, from a certified test centre. Note that self-tests are not accepted;
- a proof of a recent COVID-19 infection (no younger than 14 days and no older than 180 days).
- 1-metre distancing rule except when seated.
- All attendees must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. The registered data must be kept on file for two weeks and then destroyed.
- Face masks must be worn indoors wherever the 1-metre social distancing rule cannot be observed. This rule does not apply at school dances. Children born 2006 and later are exempt from wearing a mask.
- Refreshments may not be sold during intervals.
Safety measures for public transportation
Face masks must be used in public transport.
Restrictions on the number of people do not apply to public transport, coach travel, domestic flights and passenger ferries.
Places of worship
Open with limitations
Ceremonies held by religious and life stance associations may be attended by up to 50 persons. The same applies to wakes, confirmation parties, and similar. Up to 500 persons may attend ceremonies held by religious and life stance associations; stage, cultural and sports events; conferences, lectures and comparable events, provided they present a negative rapid antigen test taken no less than 48 hours earlier, from a certified test centre.
Quarantine
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
You will be quarantined if:
- you have come into contact with someone who turned out to be infected;
- you’re travelling from abroad and do not have a certificate of vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection.
You will not be quarantined if:
- You have come into contact with someone who was later sent to quarantine.
- your neighbour is infected (for example, in the same stairwell) unless you have had significant contact.
End of quarantine
- Quarantine can be shortened to 5 days if you get tested; otherwise, quarantine is 14 days.
- You will automatically receive a bar code for the test; you do not need to register specifically for it.
- A quarantine that takes place in a home where someone is in isolation ends with a negative result from the test after isolation has been lifted. The household members can then expect quarantine for a day longer than isolation lasts. In order to fulfil the conditions for shortening the quarantine to 5 days, there must be a complete separation between the individual in isolation and the individual in quarantine.
It is important to follow the Guidelines for quarantining at home. The quarantine site must be suitable for quarantine, and individuals in quarantine must stay there for the duration of the quarantine.
In quarantine
- Contact with other people is prohibited. Therefore, quarantined individuals may need assistance with supplies, etc.
- If the home is quarantined, friends or relatives may take care of supplies and leave them at the front door, but they should not have direct contact with the quarantined person.
- If delivery of food and other necessities is available in the area, this service can be utilised during quarantine. The quarantined individual should make clear upon ordering that he/she is in quarantine and the delivery should be left outside the front door.
- If a person in quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19 infection, they must be tested immediately (a private car or taxi may be used, and it must be stated that the individual is in quarantine) and follow the rules on isolation while waiting for the test results. Other individuals in the home must then be quarantined immediately and wait for the result of the test.
- Keep in mind that people are quarantined because of the possibility that they have been infected with COVID-19. If they get sick, everyone who has had contact with the individual in question will be quarantined. Therefore, close contact with individuals in quarantine is undesirable.
- It is permitted to stay in one’s own home even if another household member is quarantined there.
Detailed instructions on quarantining at home.
The Directorate of Health has published guidelines for appropriate quarantine accommodation. In exceptional cases, the Chief Epidemiologist can decide that an individual undergoing quarantine must stay in a public quarantine facility, such as if an individual is unable to isolate in an accommodation on their own account or if it becomes evident that they will not follow the rules on quarantine.
Children in quarantine: Instructions have been prepared for the parents/guardians of children with special care needs in quarantine.
A parent with a child in quarantine does not need to be registered in quarantine and does not need to go for screening to shorten quarantine to 7 days from 14 days. It is enough that the child is registered in quarantine and goes for testing.
Confirmation/certification of quarantine: Individuals must be registered as being in quarantine so that a confirmation/certificate can be issued. This is done by the Chief Epidemiologist and Department of Civil Protection’s Tracing Team. A video (in Icelandic) has been prepared to show how to apply for a certificate and can be accessed on heilsuvera.is. The certificates are free of charge. An electronic ID is required to register into Heilsuvera.
For more info:
How does quarantine work?
How to register for the quarantine certificate (video in Icelandic)
Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops
Open with limitations
Pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores may accept up to 50 people. In addition, 5 persons are allowed for each 10 m2 of space to the maximum of 500 customers in their premises, as long as it is possible to ensure at least 1 metre between persons who are unrelated.
Tourist accommodations
Open with limitations
Catering establishments
Open with limitations
Restaurants, where alcoholic beverages are allowed, may not stay open longer than 22:00 all days of the week with a maximum of 50 guests in each area and must maintain the 1-metre distance rule. All guests must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. All guests must have left the location at 23:00.
Nightclubs and bars may be open until 22:00 all days of the week with a maximum of 50 guests in each area. Alcoholic beverages are to be served to seated diners. All guests must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. All guests must have left the location at 23:00.
Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions
Open with limitations
Performing arts, cinema theatres and other cultural events may have up to 50 persons on stage, i.e. during rehearsals and shows. Up to 50 seated guests may be accommodated in a given area, and they must wear face masks. Seats must be numbered and registered with the attendee’s name, ID No. and telephone number. The 1-metre rule can be deviated from while seated. Children born in 2016 and later are not included in this number. Refreshments may not be sold during intervals. Up to 500 people may be allowed in each area provided they present a negative rapid antigen test taken no longer than 48 hours in advance at a certified test centre.
Personal care services
Open with limitations
Swimming and bathing pools, spas and gyms are open for 75% of permitted number of people. Equipment must be disinfected between users and all users must be registered. Children born 2016 and later are not included in this number.
Ski facilities
Open
Further limitations may apply.
Health protocols for tourism services and tourists
Useful Info for tourists
_____________________________________________________________________________
20.09.2021
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common ‘EU Traffic Lights’ map.
All countries and territories of the world, except Greenland, are currently classified as risk areas.
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Travellers (including children born in 2005-2015) who are citizens or residents of Iceland or have ties to Iceland are required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 2 days from arrival, despite having a negative PCR or antigen test, which was taken before departure. Testing can be obtained at Keflavik airport upon arrival. Otherwise testing is at Sudurlandsbraut 34 in Reykjavik or outside the capital area at certain primary health care centers. Note if there is a high demand for testing at the airport, passengers will be directed to Reykjavik/the primary health care service.
Testing and quarantine of children
- Children born 2016 or later do not need to pre-register, do not need to present a negative PCR-or antigen test upon arrival, do not need to undergo a screening test due to travelling, need to quarantine if their parent/guardian/adult co-traveller needs to quarantine but otherwise not.
- Children born 2005 or 2015 need to pre-register, do not need to present a negative PCR-or antigen test upon arrival, need to undergo a screening test upon arrival under certain circumstances, need to quarantine if their parent/guardian/adult co-traveller needs to quarantine but otherwise not. If a child travels with a person who has a vaccination certificate, or a certificate of previous infection, the child accompanies the person in question and does not have to go into quarantine. The same rules apply to a child travelling alone...
- Children born in or before 2004 need to undergo testing at the border, quarantine for 5 days and then have a second test unless they have a certificate of full vaccination. Children who have not reached the age of 18 are permitted to travel to Iceland with their parents, given the parents are exempt from travel restrictions to Iceland.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Rules at the borders are in force from 16 August to 1 October 2021.
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
Vaccinated travellers, as well as those with a confirmed previous infection, have to present a valid certificate at the arrival.
- Vaccinated people: to have a valid certificate, 14 days have to have passed from the second dose (or 14 days from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson dose). If the time is shorter than 14 days, the certificate is not valid.
All vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation are accepted.
The vaccination certificates must fulfil the requirements described here. - People that have been infected with COVID-19: they must provide a certificate that fulfils the requirements described here.
The certificate must be submitted in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, or French. A certificate in another language may be valid if submitted along with a translation in one of the approved languages and verified by a certified translator.
Vaccinated passengers and those with prior infection of COVID-19 need to present a negative COVID-19 test Both a PCR test and a rapid antigen test are accepted. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure on the first leg of the journey. Travellers who do not present a negative test upon arrival will be required to take a PCR-test at the border and to follow rules of quarantine until results are received. A 100.000 ISK fine is applied for not presenting a negative PCR-test at the border. If less than 14 days have passed from completion of vaccination then the traveller will be required to undergo one PCR-test at the border and to follow rules of quarantine until results are received.
From August 30th: a traveller that has recently recovered from COVID-19 is exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Instead, they need to present a positive PCR-test, taken more than 14 days prior, but less than 180 days. These people do not need to have a second COVID-19 test when arriving in Iceland, even if they have a network in the country.
Travellers who present a negative test upon arrival are exempt from taking a PCR-test at the border and from quarantine.
If the slightest suspicion arises that an individual has presented a forged certificate, he/she will be obliged to be tested twice with quarantine in between.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
If travellers don’t have any vaccination certificate or a certification that proves a previous COVID-19 infection or have a certificate that is not valid, they need to present a negative PCR test certificate against COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure. Travellers who do not present a negative PCR-test upon arrival can be refused entry at the border or financial penalties can be imposed. However, Icelandic citizens will not be refused entry.
The result of the test must be pre-recorded. The certificate must be submitted in either Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English. Certificates in other languages are not considered valid.
Additionally, passengers arriving in Iceland without proof of vaccination or prior infection, must undergo two more PCR tests: one at the border upon arrival, and another 5 days after the first. Between the two tests, a quarantine of 5 days is mandatory. People may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions.. Here is a list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
The second testing is done at health centres around Iceland. A bar code is sent to a mobile phone the night before testing. Those people who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must continue self-isolation.
A tourist is obliged to pre-register a departure date from Iceland if it is available. If the length of stay is shorter than the required time in quarantine, it will be examined separately, as there is a risk that the person in question will not follow the rules on quarantine.
Please note that violations of quarantine or isolation rules are subject to fines and the involvement of the authorities to prevent violations.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Quarantine at home
List of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine
Testing centres
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel restrictions do not apply to other EEA/EFTA-citizens and citizens of Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
Third-country citizens are still not authorised to travel to Iceland unless exemptions apply. Note: As of 1 January 2021, UK nationals have the status of third-country nationals.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas, except Greenland.
Rules at the borders are in force from 16 August to 1 October 2021.
Travellers from outside the EEA/EFTA area who are not relatives of an EEA/EFTA citizen and not from exempted countries may not enter Iceland unless the provide a valid reason. Valid reasons fall into the following categories:
- Passenger in airport transit
- Employees in healthcare services and geriatric services
- Employees responsible for the transportation of goods and services
- Individual travelling because of an acute family incident (i.e. serious illness, accident or demise)
- Individuals and delegations who travel to the country under the aegis of the Icelandic government, staff of diplomatic missions and other representatives of foreign countries; international organisation staff and their guests who need to travel to the country due to the activities of these organisations; members of armed forces travelling to Iceland for duty; humanitarian aid workers; staff of civil protection; and family members of the aforementioned parties
- Students (≠ Class trips are not considered to be an exemption from travel restrictions)
- Persons who essentially need to travel to Iceland for business purposes of short duration and it cannot be postponed or performed abroad
RULES AT BORDER
Provisions for travellers who are vaccinated or can provide valid proof of prior infection
As of 27 July, those people are required to present a PCR or rapid antigen test (taken within 72 hours before departure), but they are exempt from screening and quarantine measures upon arrival.
Travellers (including children born in 2005 or later) who are citizens or residents of Iceland or have ties to Iceland are required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 2 days from arrival, despite having a negative PCR or antigen test, which was taken before departure. Testing can be obtained at Keflavik airport upon arrival. Otherwise testing is at Sudurlandsbraut 34 in Reykjavik or outside the capital area at certain primary health care centers. Note if there is a high demand for testing at the airport, passengers will be directed to Reykjavik/the primary health care service.
From August 30th: a traveller that has recently recovered from COVID-19 is exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test at the border. Instead, they need to present a positive PCR-test, taken more than 14 days prior, but less than 180 days. These people do not need to have a second COVID-19 test when arriving in Iceland, even if they have a network in the country.
Provisions for travellers who are not vaccinated or can’t provide valid proof of prior infection
Those people are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure to Iceland. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid.
Travellers who do not present a negative PCR-test upon arrival can be refused entry at the border or financial penalties can be imposed. However, Icelandic citizens will not be refused entry.
Additionally, these passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5 days after the first. Between the two tests, a quarantine of 5 days is mandatory. People may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions. If not, they need to stay at the government’s quarantine facility during their quarantine. Here is a list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine.
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
The second testing is done at health centres around Iceland. A bar code is sent to a mobile phone the night before testing. Those people who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must continue self-isolation.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
Defined areas with risk of infection and rules regarding border crossing
May I transit this country?
Yes
Transit passengers who do not have a certificate of previous infection or vaccination against COVID-19 must demonstrate a negative PCR test upon arrival in Iceland. Transit passengers who do not go beyond the respective border-crossing point have to neither quarantine nor undergo testing. Transit passengers who stay in Iceland for less than 48 hours must be quarantined but are excluded from testing on arrival.
General measures
Regulation on restrictions on gatherings due the pandemic shall apply as of 15 September and remain in force up to and including 6 October 2021.
Limits to the number of people do not apply to children born 2016 or later. Social distancing rules and the obligation to wear a mask do not apply to children born 2006 or later.
Use of facemasks
Masks must be worn indoor wherever the 1-metre social distancing rule cannot be kept between individuals who are not closely linked, including at events where attendees are seated in assigned seats. The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children born 2006 or later.
Face masks shall be used in public transport, in shops and other indoor services where it is not sufficient or not possible to ensure a 1-metre distance limit such as in health services, stores, domestic flights and ferries, public transport, taxis and coaches, in practical driving lessons and flight training, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo parlours, dog grooming salons, tanning salons and other similar activities. Face masks must cover the nose and mouth.
Those who do not have the understanding or maturity to use a face mask correctly or are unable to do so for other reasons, such as health reasons, are exempt from the obligation to wear a mask.
Teachers and students born in 2005 or earlier may remove their masks in the classroom once everybody has sat down.
Physical Distancing
At all workplaces and in other activities, the 1-metre distance limit between people who are not closely linked must be ensured.
The one-metre rule may be waived at seated events, provided that all attendees are assigned a specific seat with their name, ID No. and telephone number and wear a mask.
The one metre distancing rule does not apply for social events at schools.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
The maximum number of people allowed in the same location is 500, with certain restrictions, both in public and private locations, outdoors and indoors. Restrictions on the number of people do not apply to children born 2016 or later. Social distancing rules do not apply to events where everybody is seated.
Everyone must wear a face mask indoor (except children born 2006 or later).
The participation of all guests must be registered to numbered seats and must state their name, ID No. and telephone number. The information is to be preserved for two weeks.
Up to 1500 people may attend an event if additional conditions are met:
- All attendees must present a negative rapid antigen test taken no longer than 48 hours in advance. NB. self-tests are not accepted.
- One metre distancing rule except when guests are seated.
- All attendees must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. The registered data must be kept on file for two weeks and then destroyed.
- All attendees must wear a face mask indoors where the one metre distancing rule cannot be observed between standing guests.
Despite the rules above, social events at schools and upper secondary schools can have up to 1500 guests if all attendees present a negative rapid antigen test taken no longer than 48 hours in advance. The one metre distancing rule does not apply and neither the need to wear a mask.
Safety measures for public transportation
Restrictions on the number of people do not apply to public transport, coach travel, domestic flights and passenger ferries.
Face masks shall be used in public transport.
Places of worship
Open with limitations
Ceremonies held by religious and life stance associations may be attended by up to 500 persons. The same applies to wakes, confirmation parties, and similar.
Quarantine
NOTE! there is limited access to official quarantine facilities in Iceland – travellers must themselves ensure appropriate housing while in quarantine
You will be quarantined if:
- you have come into contact with someone who turned out to be infected;
- a child in your care is quarantined;
- you’re travelling from abroad and have not been vaccinated or been infected with COVID-19.
You will not be quarantined if:
- You have come into contact with someone who was later sent to quarantine.
- your neighbour is infected (for example, in the same stairwell) unless you have had significant contact;
- you are arriving from abroad and are vaccinated or have a certificate of a previous COVID-19 infection.
End of quarantine
Quarantine is 14 days but you can shorten it by having a test on day 7. You will be sent a barcode for the test, you do not have to book it.
If you are in quarantine in the same household as an infected individual, shortening of quarantine is as per the decision of the COVID-19 out-patient service, usually by a screening test the day after the infected individual’s isolation is completed.
It is important to follow the Guidelines for quarantining at home. The quarantine site must be suitable for quarantine, and individuals in quarantine must stay there for the duration of the quarantine.
In quarantine
- Individuals are permitted to stay in the home with a quarantined individual without having to quarantine themselves.
- Contact with other people is prohibited. Therefore, quarantined individuals may need assistance with supplies, etc.
- If the home is quarantined, friends or relatives may take care of supplies and leave them at the front door, but they should not have direct contact with the quarantined person.
- If delivery of food and other necessities is available in the area, this service can be utilised during quarantine. The quarantined individual should make clear upon ordering that he/she is in quarantine and the delivery should be left outside the front door.
- If a person in quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19 infection, they must be tested immediately (a private car or taxi may be used, and it must be stated that the individual is in quarantine). Other individuals in the home must then be quarantined immediately and wait for the result of the test.
Keep in mind that people are quarantined because of the possibility that they have been infected with COVID-19. If they get sick, everyone who has had contact with the individual in question will be quarantined. Therefore, close contact with individuals in quarantine is undesirable.
Detailed instructions on quarantining at home.
The Directorate of Health has published guidelines for appropriate quarantine accommodation. In exceptional cases, the Chief Epidemiologist can decide that an individual undergoing quarantine must stay in a public quarantine facility, such as if an individual is unable to isolate in an accommodation on their own account or if it becomes evident that they will not follow the rules on quarantine.
Children in quarantine: Instructions have been prepared for the parents/guardians of children with special care needs in quarantine.
A parent with a child in quarantine does not need to be registered in quarantine and does not need to go for screening to shorten quarantine to 7 days from 14 days. It is enough that the child is registered in quarantine and goes for testing.
Confirmation/certification of quarantine: Individuals must be registered as being in quarantine so that a confirmation/certificate can be issued. The individuals have either entered quarantine due to travel or been registered in quarantine by their local healthcare centre or the tracing team according to the instructions of the Chief Epidemiologist. A video (in Icelandic) has been prepared to show how to apply for a certificate and can be accessed on heilsuvera.is. Those who need to be quarantined can register information about it on the website heilsuvera.is and receive a certificate. The certificates are free of charge. An electronic ID is required to register into Heilsuvera.
Assessment quarantine: An assessment quarantine is a quarantine period that is in effect while efforts are made to trace the contagion. In this case, follow the guidelines on quarantine while the situation is being assessed.
For more info:
How does quarantine work?
How to register for the quarantine certificate (video in Icelandic)
Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops
Open with limitations
Pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores may have up to 500 customers in their premises, as long as it is possible to ensure at least a distance of 1 metre between persons who are unrelated.
Tourist accommodations
Open with limitations
Camping grounds and caravan sites can accommodate 500 persons in each infection prevention area. Children born in 2016 and later are not included in this number. Infection prevention areas can be indoors or outdoors. People with no close link between them must keep a distance of one meter from each other. Contacts between separate travel groups must be kept to a minimum.
Catering establishments
Open with limitations
Restaurants, where alcoholic beverages are allowed, may not stay open longer than 24:00 all days of the week with a maximum of 500 guests in each area and must maintain the 1-metre distance rule. All guests must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. Alcoholic beverages are to be served to seated guests. All guests must have left the location at 1:00.
Nightclubs and bars may be open until 24:00 all days of the week with a maximum of 500 guests in each area. Alcoholic beverages are to be served to seated guests. All guests must be registered by name, ID No. and telephone number. All guests must have left the location at 1:00.
Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions
Open with limitations
Performing arts, cinema theatres and other cultural events may have up to 500 persons on stage, i.e. during rehearsals and shows. Up to 500 seated guests may be accommodated. Such guests must wear face masks indoor. Seats are to be numbered and registered with the attendee's name, ID No. and telephone number. Children born in 2016 and later are not included in this number. Selling or offering food and drink during intermissions is permitted.
Please refer to the special rules for admitting up to 500 people in a given area, subject to certain conditions. See above.
Museums may receive 100% of the maximum number of visitors allowed, but not more than 500.
Personal care services
Open with limitations
Spas and gyms are open for a maximum permitted number of people. Equipment must be disinfected between users and all users must be registered. The use of face masks is recommended in common areas. Ventilation and good access to hand sanitisers and equipment disinfectant must be ensured, as well as one-metre social distancing.
Ski facilities
Open
Further limitations may apply.
Health protocols for tourism services and tourists
Useful Info for tourists
__________________________________________________________________________
22.07.2021
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common ‘EU Traffic Lights’ map.
All countries and territories of the world, except Greenland, are currently classified as risk areas.
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Rules at the borders are in force until 15 August 2021.
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
Travel restrictions do not apply to:
- Vaccinated people
Travellers with a certificate do not have to present a negative PCR test. To have a valid certificate, 14 days have to have passed from the second dose (or 14 days from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson dose). If the time is shorter than 14 days, the travellers need to undergo testing at the border and follow rules on home quarantine until a negative result is obtained. If a certificate is not valid, the travellers need to undergo 2 tests and quarantine for 5 days in between.
All vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation are accepted.
The vaccination certificates must fulfil the requirements described here. - People that have been infected with COVID-19
They must provide a certificate that fulfils the requirements described here.
These travellers do not have to present a negative PCR test.
As of 27 July, all vaccinated travellers, as well as those with a confirmed previous infection, are required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, in addition to the certificate regarding their vaccination or a previous infection.
The certificate must be submitted in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, or French. A certificate in another language may be valid if submitted along with a translation in one of the approved languages and verified by a certified translator.
If the slightest suspicion arises that an individual has presented a forged certificate, he/she will be obliged to be tested twice with quarantine in between.
Testing and quarantine of children
- Children born in 2005 or later do not have to be tested on the border. They are exempt from the obligation to present a negative PCR certificate upon arrival. If a child travels with a person required to be quarantined, the child stays with that person and is released from quarantine if the second test from the companion is negative. If the companion is exempt from double screening and quarantine, also the child is exempt.
- Children born in or before 2004 need to undergo testing at the border, quarantine for 5 days and then have a second test unless they have a certificate of full vaccination. Children who have not reached the age of 18 are permitted to travel to Iceland with their parents, given the parents are exempt from travel restrictions to Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
If travelers don’t have any vaccination certificate or a certification that proves a previous COVID-19 infection or have a certificate that is not valid, they need to present a negative PCR test certificate against COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid. The test must have been taken within 72 hours before departure.
The result of the test must be pre-recorded. The certificate must be submitted in either Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English. Certificates in other languages are not considered valid.
Additionally, passengers arriving in Iceland without proof of vaccination or prior infection, must undergo two more PCR tests: one on their arrival and a second one after a quarantine of 5 days.
Everybody must quarantine for 5 days and go for another test at the end of quarantine. Please note that a new day begins at midnight. People may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions. If not, they need to stay at the government’s quarantine facility during their quarantine. Here is a list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine.
The second testing is done at health centres around Iceland. A bar code is sent to a mobile phone the night before testing. Those people who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must continue self-isolation.
Testing and quarantine of children
- Children born in 2005 or later do not have to be tested on the border. They are exempt from the obligation to present a negative PCR certificate upon arrival. If a child travels with a person required to be quarantined, the child stays with that person and is released from quarantine if the second test from the companion is negative. If the companion is exempt from double screening and quarantine, also the child is exempt. A child travelling alone is neither tested nor needs to present a negative PCR certificate upon arrival.
- Children born in or before 2004 need to undergo testing at the border, quarantine for 5 days and then have a second test unless they have a certificate of full vaccination. Children who have not reached the age of 18 are permitted to travel to Iceland with their parents, given the parents are exempt from travel restrictions to Iceland.
A tourist is obliged to pre-register a departure date from Iceland if it is available. If the length of stay is shorter than the required time in quarantine, it will be examined separately, as there is a risk that the person in question will not follow the rules on quarantine.
Please note that violations of quarantine or isolation rules are subject to fines and the involvement of the authorities to prevent violations.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
FAQ regarding disease control measures at the border
Quarantine at home
List of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine
Testing centres
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel restrictions do not apply to other EEA/EFTA-citizens and citizens of Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
Third-country citizens are still not authorized to travel to Iceland unless exemptions apply. Note: As of 1 January 2021, UK nationals have the status of third-country nationals.
Third-country nationals who can provide appropriate proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or prior infection, are exempt from the travel restrictions. As of 27 July, these travelers are also required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test (taken within 72 hours before departure).
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas, except Greenland.
Rules at the borders are in force until 15 August 2021.
Travelers from outside the EEA/EFTA area who are not relatives of an EEA/EFTA citizen and not from exempted countries may not enter Iceland unless the provide a valid reason. Valid reasons fall into the following categories:
- Passenger in airport transit
- Employees in healthcare services and geriatric services
- Employees responsible for the transportation of goods and services
- Individual travelling because of an acute family incident (i.e. serious illness, accident or demise)
- Individuals and delegations who travel to the country under the aegis of the Icelandic government, staff of diplomatic missions and other representatives of foreign countries; international organisation staff and their guests who need to travel to the country due to the activities of these organisations; members of armed forces travelling to Iceland for duty; humanitarian aid workers; staff of civil protection; and family members of the aforementioned parties
- Students (≠ Class trips are not considered to be an exemption from travel restrictions)
- Persons who essentially need to travel to Iceland for business purposes of short duration and it cannot be postponed or performed abroad.
RULES AT BORDER
Is a coronavirus test required?
All arriving passengers, who are not vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure to Iceland. Rapid antigen tests are in this case not considered valid.
Additionally, these passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 6 days later. Between the two tests, a quarantine of 5 days is mandatory.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Children born in 2005 and later, as well as those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR test before boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must follow the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.
As of 27 July, those who provide valid proof of vaccination against COVID-19 are required to present a PCR or rapid antigen test (taken within 72 hours before departure), but are exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. These measures also apply to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection.
Is a quarantine required?
Arriving passengers, who are not exempt on the grounds of age, vaccination, or prior infection, are required to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates
Are you travelling to Iceland?
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Travel restrictions to Iceland
Defined areas with risk of infection and rules regarding border crossing
May I transit this country?
Yes
Transit passengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
General measures
Use of facemasks
Masks are not mandatory anywhere.
Physical Distancing
Social distancing rules have been removed.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
No more limits to the number of people at gatherings.
Social distancing rules are removed.
Masks are not mandatory anywhere.
Restrictions on any kind of operations are no longer applicable, neither the obligation to register guests nor restrictions on opening hours.
Information on Tourism at National level
Useful Info for tourists
EU Digital COVID Certificates
This country is already connected to the Gateway and is issuing and/or verifying at least one EU Digital COVID Certificate (Vaccination, Recovery, Test)
The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation entered into force on 01 July 2021. EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate.
The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from Covid-19, or test result. Despite the European Digital COVID Certificate, each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what is required to enter upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your destination.
Find out more:
Information on the "EU Digital COVID Certificate"
Further information: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ISL/7011
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
18.06.2021
What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate
As of 1 June 2021, Iceland can verify "EU Digital COVID certificates" issued by other countries.
Holders of "EU Digital COVID certificates" have to undergo only one PCR test upon arrival, and self-isolate until they have the result, if their certificate contains either:
- Proof of full vaccination. The vaccination is considered completed after the second dose of vaccine (for Johnson&Johnson, the vaccination is considered completed after the single dose has been taken).
All vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation are accepted.
The validity of the vaccination is 365 days.
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19 (14 days must have elapsed from the positive result to a COVID test).
Holders of "EU Digital COVID certificates" have to undergo 2 PCR tests upon arrival, with 5-6 days self-isolation in between, if their certificate contains:
- a negative result to a COVID-19 test. Only PCR tests are accepted. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Children under 16 years old are exempted from the pre-departure testing requirement and are subject to PCR test(s) upon arrival.
Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Travellers are allowed to enter Iceland by presenting either:
- Proof of full vaccination
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from quarantine measures at the border. Until 1 July, they are still subject to a PCR test upon arrival. After 1 July, all travellers arriving in Iceland will be exempt from border screening if they present a certificate of vaccination.
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19
Those who provide valid proof of having recovered from COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from quarantine measures at the border. Until 1 July, they are still subject to a PCR test upon arrival. After 1 July, all travellers arriving in Iceland will be exempt from border screening if they present a certificate of recent recovery from COVID-19.
All other travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later. All travellers must remain in isolation until they receive a negative result to the second PCR test.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Children born in 2005 and later are exempted from the pre-departure test requirement.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
Instructions for quarantine
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen area is still restricted.
However, on March 26 a government regulation will come into effect that allows non-essential travels to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen-area for passengers who can provide valid proof of vaccination or prior infection, in addition to those on essential business.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All arriving passengers are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Children born in 2005 and later, as well as those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers have to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding, and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Entry rules from 16.3.2021
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
May I transit this country?
YES
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
General measures
Use of facemasks
Masks must be worn wherever the 1-metre social distancing rule cannot be kept between individuals. The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children born 2005 or later.
Face masks shall cover the nose and mouth.
Exempted from masks are those individuals who have already been infected with COVID-19 and completed isolation. Furthermore, those who are unable to wear a mask due to health reasons are also exempt from this obligation.
Physical Distancing
At all workplaces and in other activities, 1-metre distance between people must be ensured.
Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events
The maximum number of people allowed in the same location is 300 persons, with certain restrictions, both in public and private locations.
Limits to the numbers of children, social distancing and obligation to wear a mask do not apply to children born 2015 or later.
Restrictions on the number of people do not apply to public transport, coach travel, domestic flights, passenger ferries and the work of response units such as the police, fire-fighters, Civil Protection assistants and healthcare workers.
Information on Tourism at National level
Useful Info for tourists
EU Digital COVID Certificates
THIS COUNTRY IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE GATEWAY AND IS ISSUING AND/OR VERIFYING AT LEAST ONE EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE (VACCINATION, RECOVERY, TEST)
The EU Digital COVID Certificate (available from 1 July 2021) provides proof that a person has either:
- been vaccinated against COVID-19 (vaccine type and manufacturer, number of doses, date of vaccination);
- received a negative test result, PCR or rapid antigen, with the name of the test, date and time of test, test centre and result (self-tests are not valid);
- recovered from COVID-19.
When travelling, holders of the EU Digital COVID Certificate will have the same rights as citizens of the visited Member State who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered.
The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from COVID or test result. Each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what you will be eligible for, upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your country of destination.
How does it work:
- Member States issue a certificate automatically or upon request, which is issued either digitally or on paper, and has a QR code with an electronic signature;
- Citizens store the certificate in their digital app or wallet and can use it when they travel;
- When the verifier asks the citizen for the certificate, the QR code is shown and the digital signature is verified.
Find out more:
Information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate
Press Release
Questions & Answers
Factsheet
06.05.2021
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
No
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
From 1 May 2021, travel restrictions will be based on the EU Traffic Lights map. From that time, travellers from low-risk areas (green and yellow) will be exempt from quarantine measures if they present a negative PCR result at the border.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Children born in 2005 and later are exempted.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border.
The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers have to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding, and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Entry rules from 16.2.2021
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen area is still restricted.
However, on March 26 a government regulation will come into effect that allows non-essential travels to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen-area for passengers who can provide valid proof of vaccination or prior infection, in addition to those on essential business.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All arriving passengers are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Children born in 2005 and later, as well as those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers have to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding, and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Entry rules from 16.3.2021
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
May I transit this country?
Yes
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
General measures
Use of facemasks
Face masks should be used on public transport, in shops and other services and whenever it is not possible to ensure a 2-metres proximity restriction, such as in healthcare facilities, taxis, group cars, domestic flights, hairdresser and beauty saloons and similar establishments. Face mask should cover nose and mouth. This obligation does not apply to children born as of 2015 as well to people who have recovered from COVID-19 and completed the isolation period and to people with disabilities.
Find out more:
Masks (in Icelandic)
Physical Distancing
A 2-metres safety distance must be respected. Where it is not possible, masks are required. Children born in 2015 and later are exempted from the 2 metres rule
Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ISL/7001
31.03.2021
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
NO
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Iceland will implement a new system, based on the ECDC colour scheme, on 1 May. From that time, travellers from low-risk areas (green and yellow) will be exempt from quarantine measures if they present a negative PCR result at the border.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Children born in 2005 and later are exempted.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border.
The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers have to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding, and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Entry rules from 16.2.2021
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
Documents you need to travel in Europe
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen area is still restricted.
However, on March 26 a government regulation will come into effect that allows non-essential travels to Iceland from outside the EEA/Schengen-area for passengers who can provide valid proof of vaccination or prior infection, in addition to those on essential business.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All arriving passengers are required to present a negative result to a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland.
Additionally, all passengers arriving in Iceland must undergo two more PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Children born in 2005 and later, as well as those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers have to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.
Provisions for vaccinated people
Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding, and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All passengers born before 2005 are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires them to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Entry rules from 16.3.2021
Certificates of vaccination accepted at the border for exemption of border measures due to COVID-19
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
May I transit this country?
YES
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine
General measures
Health cover for temporary stays
Use of facemasks
Face masks should be used on public transport, in shops and other services and whenever it is not possible to ensure a 2-metres proximity restriction, such as in healthcare facilities, taxis, group cars, domestic flights, hairdresser and beauty saloons and similar establishments. Face mask should cover nose and mouth. This obligation does not apply to children born as of 2015 as well to people who have recovered from COVID-19 and completed the isolation period and to people with disabilities.
Find out more:
Masks (in Icelandic)
Physical Distancing
A 2-metres safety distance must be respected. Where it is not possible, masks are required. Children born in 2015 and later are exempted from the 2 metres rule.
Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ISL/7001
16.03.2021
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
NO
Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
All countries and territories of the world are currently classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
Is a quarantine required?
All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine of 5-6 days (see: border-screening measures)
Is a coronavirus test required?
As an alternative to a 14-day quarantine, the double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR tests: one upon arrival, and another one 5-6 days later.
Those who test negative in the second PCR test are no longer submitted to special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later, as well as those who demonstrate to have recovered from COVID-19, are exempt from the double border-screening procedure.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non-compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during the stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival.
Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
May I transit this country?
YES
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
Find out more:
www.covid.is
Double screening until December
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Instructions for quarantine
Documents you need to travel in Europe
25.01.2021
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
Partially
Note: Iceland adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Iceland are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Entry Restrictions
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure as well as those who demonstrate to have recovered from COVID-19.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
Double screening until December
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Documents you need to travel in Europe
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
Double screening until December
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
May I transit this country?
Yes
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
General measures
Current restrictions (in Icelandic)
Health cover for temporary stays
Use of facemasks
Face masks should be used on public transport, in shops and other services and whenever it is not possible to ensure a 2-metres proximity restriction, such as in healthcare facilities, taxis, group cars, domestic flights, hairdresser and beauty saloons and similar establishments. Face mask should cover nose and mouth. This obligation does not apply to children born as of 2015 as well to people who have recovered from COVID-19 and completed the isolation period and to people with disabilities.
Find out more:
Masks (in Icelandic)
Physical Distancing
A 2-metres safety distance must be respected. Where it is not possible, masks are required. Children born in 2015 and later are exempted from the 2 metres rule.
15.12.2020
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
PARTIALLY
Entry Restrictions
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure as well as those who demonstrate to have recovered from COVID-19.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure.
From 01.12.2020 until 31.01.2021, the screening procedure will be free of charge. In case of non compliance with the screening procedure, fines may apply.
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
May I transit this country?
YES
Transit passsengers who do not leave the terminal facilities at the border, are not required to undergo screening or quarantine
Find out more:
Double screening until December
List of accommodations that receive guests for quarantine
Documents you need to travel in Europe
13.11.2020
Entry Restrictions
From 19/8/2020, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
All passengers arriving in Iceland and born before 2005 must pre-register to be screened for COVID-19.
The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.
The double border-screening procedure requires all passengers arriving in Iceland to undergo two PCR-tests: one upon arrival and another 5-6 days later.
During this period, all arriving passengers must stay in quarantine in case of a possible infection. Those who test negative in the second PCR-test are no longer required to take special precautions. Those who test positive must self-isolate. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from the double border-screening procedure.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Find out more:
Double screening until December
Travel to/from Iceland (in Icelandic)
Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ISL/7001
11.09.2020
Third-country nationals
Non-essential travel to and from “third countries” remains largely prohibited and it is allowed only for essential reasons or for those with a permanent residency in Island or within the EU/Schengen Area. Foreign nationals, who are neither EU/EEA nor EFTA nationals, therefore continue not to be allowed to enter Iceland unless they can demonstrate that their travel is essential.
However, Iceland has lifted travel restrictions for residents of twelve states outside the EU/Schengen Area in line with the decision of EU Member States.
For further details please visit Coronavirus informations
28.08.2020
Travelling to Iceland
Travelling from Denmark, Norway, Finland and Germany is allowed without restrictions until 18/8.
From 19/8, all countries and territories of the world are classified as risk areas.
Travelling from Iceland or returning to Iceland
Inhabitants of Iceland are advised not to travel to risk areas.
From areas classified as risky, Icelandic citizens and residents of Iceland who choose to be tested will have to take special precautions during the first five days after arrival in Iceland, until they can be tested for the second time. These precautions are specified at: Special precautions on arrival in Iceland.
Those with a negative test are no longer required to take special precautions, while those with a positive test must self-isolate.
Rules and Exceptions
All passengers arriving in Iceland from high-risk areas can choose to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival or to undergo a quarantine for two weeks. Children born in 2005 or later, as well as passengers not arriving from areas defined as "high risk" of infection, are exempted from both testing and quarantine.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form before departure to Iceland, which requires to provide personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates, address(es) during their stay in Iceland and information on countries they have visited before arrival. Passengers are also encouraged to download and use the COVID-19 app Rakning C-19, which contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the health care service in Iceland.
Links to national sources
www.covid.is
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ISL
Source: The Directorate of Health and The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management of Iceland
17.03.2021
The Directorate of Health and The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management of Iceland
Travel to and within Iceland
Travel restrictions apply to all third-country nationals, i.e. persons who are neither citizens of EEA/EFTA nations, nor nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, or the Vatican—regardless of whether they require a visa or are permitted travel within the Schengen area without a visa.
Everyone Traveling to Iceland Must:
Preregister electronically before departure. Pre-registration does not constitute a travel authorization.
Submit a certificate of a negative PCR-test for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) before boarding an aircraft or ship to Iceland and again upon arrival. The negative test result must have been collected no more than 72 hours before departure (on the first leg of the journey). Rapid antigen tests are not valid. The certificate must be submitted in either Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English. Certificates in other languages are not considered valid. The results of the test must be pre-recorded. The fine for violating the rule requiring a negative PCR test is 100,000 Icelandic Krónur (ISK) for residents and Icelandic nationals. Non-citizens and non-residents without a negative PCR tests will be refused entry at the border.
Take two tests to screen for the presence of COVID-19 after arrival in Iceland, with a mandatory 5-6 day quarantine between each test. Sampling is free of charge. Note exceptions to the rule below.
Complete quarantine with a negative result (no virus is found) following the second screening.
We recommended that all travelers download the "Rakning C-19" app. This app is intended, among other things, to communicate negative results from COVID-19 screenings and assists the health authorities with the tracing of infections when necessary.
Travel directly to the quarantine station after arriving at the border stop, by airbus, taxi, rental car, or a private vehicle that has been left for you at the airport. Travelers are advised to stay overnight at a guesthouse near the border station if they are tired from their journey or in the case of unfavorable weather conditions.
Persons who are unable to demonstrate an adequate isolation/quarantine location are required to stay in a quarantine facility. Those who are diagnosed with a variant of the virus that is more contagious and/or leads to a more serious illness are unconditionally required to stay in a quarantine facility.
Children Born in 2005 and Later
If the children are traveling with a parent/guardian, they are taken into quarantine with the parent/guardian but are not required to submit to sampling.
If a child travels without parents/guardians, the child must undergo a 5-day quarantine and submit to a second sampling. If the result is negative, the quarantine is concluded.
If a child travels with a parent/guardian who has a certificate of exemption at the border, then the child must undergo a 5-day quarantine and submit to a second sampling.
Exemptions from border screening and quarantine rules do not provide exemptions from travel restrictions.
Passengers arriving from Greenland who have not stayed outside Greenland for the past 14 days.
Travelers with connecting flights, who do not leave the border crossing point in question, are not required to submit to screenings and quarantine.
Passengers on connecting flights who stay in Iceland for less than 48 hours have the option of quarantining instead of submitting to sampling.
Those who are able to submit proof of a prior COVID-19 infection with a PCR test or an antibody test issued by an EEA/EFTA country. Note that a positive PCR test must be at least 14 days old.
Those who have a valid certificate of full vaccination issued by an EEA/EFTA country with an approved vaccine against COVID-19.
Those presenting a valid full vaccination certificate with an approved vaccine against COVID-19.
A certificate of derogation at the border crossing point must meet the following criteria:
Certificate for a previous COVID-19 infection
Certificates must be issued in Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English.
First name and last name (comparable to travel documentation).
Date of birth.
When the sampling took place (Date).
Where the sampling took place (Country/City/Address).
Name of testing facility / Certificate issuer.
Date of certificate.
Telephone number of the party responsible for issuing the certificate or the testing facility.
Type of test (PCR test or antibody test by ELISA blood serum test).
Test result (a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 or proof of the presence of antibodies).
Vaccination certificate
A vaccination certificate issued by an EEA/EFTA State with one of the following vaccines with marketing authorization in Europe:
1. Comirnaty; Pfizer BioNTech
2. COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna
3. COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
The International Certificate of Vaccination (“the yellow book”) issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) is also valid in those cases where WHO has discussed and approved a vaccine that is listed on the certificate, regardless of where the vaccination was made. Here is a list of vaccines that may be listed in the yellow book:
1. Comirnaty; Pfizer/BioNTech
2. COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
3. Covidshield COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
Certificates can be hard copies or electronic. Border guards will assess whether a certificate is valid and will contact a representative of the Chief Epidemiologist (a health care professional) as necessary, and the Chief Epidemiologist issues a final decision regarding the validity of the certificate. If a passenger presents a certificate that is deemed invalid, i.e., if any of the required conditions are not met, the person concerned shall be subject to the quarantine measures imposed on other passengers, i.e., to present a certificate for a negative PCR test and undergo double screening, with a quarantine between those screenings.
Vaccination certificates must fulfill the following criteria:
Must be submitted in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, or French. A certificate in another language may be valid if submitted along with a translation in one of the approved languages and verified by a certified translator.
First name and last name (comparable to travel documentation).
Date of birth.
Nationality
Passport number.
Name of the vaccinated disease (COVID-19).
When the vaccinations took place (dates)
Vaccination must be completed; see below for the number of doses required to complete the vaccination for each vaccine.
Information on the issuer of the certificate (Healthcare Professional/Institution), along with a signature in the case of an international vaccination certificate.
Name of the vaccine.
Manufacturer of vaccine and batch number.
Dual Screening and Quarantine
The first screening takes place at the border, after which the arriving passengers must be quarantined for 5-6 days according to Instructions for Residential Quarantine.
List of accommodations that accommodate guests undergoing quarantine.
The quarantine facilities operated by the authorities will only accept visitors who have a referral from the health authorities and border officials.
The second screening takes place at Clinics all over the country, and bar codes are sent to mobile phones the night before the sampling is to take place. Please note varying opening hours for sampling.
A positive screening result will always lead to isolation, and then it is necessary to adhere to Instructions for Residential Isolation. Should a person be diagnosed with a variant of the virus that is more contagious and/or leads to a more serious illness, they are unconditionally required to stay at a quarantine facility.
We would emphasize that a breach of quarantine or isolation may lead to fines and the involvement of authorities to prevent violations.
Other Important Information
We recommend that individuals who are traveling familiarize themselves with the Government Travel Council in connection with COVID-19.
Icelanders and residents of Iceland needing assistance to travel home, can submit queries to the Consular Services of the MFA by e-mail at hjalp@utn.is and through Facebook. Requests are dealt with during office hours.
In emergencies, Icelanders abroad can call the Consular Services 24/7 on +354-545-0-112. Key Information on People's Rights while Travelling can be found on the website of the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Defined High-Risk Areas - Traveling from Iceland
It is important to know what applies at any given time regarding areas with a high risk of infection and rules for cross-border movement. Nations are constantly being reassessed for their risk status.
Icelandic residents are advised against traveling in high-risk areas.
Effective restrictions on gatherings
The Regulation on the restrictions on gatherings due to the pandemic enters into effect on 18 March and applies to and including 9 April 2021.
The Regulation does not apply to international airports or ports or to aircraft and ships on international routes or to fishing vessels. The Regulation also does not apply to healthcare institutions, nursing homes and other comparable institutions. These institutions should set special rules on infection prevention measures.
Limits on the number of people and rules on social distancing do not apply to children born 2005 or later.
A separate regulation has been adopted for school activities. This regulation will be in effect from 24 February up to and including 30 April 2021. See below.
Number limits, proximity limits, mask use
Limits on the number of people:
The maximum number of people allowed in the same location is 50 persons, with certain restrictions, both in public and private locations. This limit, however, does not apply to persons in the same household. Special rules apply to events where guests are allocated booked seats.
Children Limits on the number of children, rules on social distancing and the obligation to wear a mask do not apply to children born 2005 or later.
Limits on the number of people do not apply to public transport, coach travel, domestic flights, passenger ferries and the work of response units, such as the police, the fire brigade, Civil Protection assistants and healthcare workers. Nor does it apply to the work of the government, the State Council, Alþingi (the Icelandic Parliament), the National Security Council, or courts exercising their judicial powers.
Social distancing rules
At all workplaces and in all other activities, e.g. teaching, lectures and church services, the two-metre distance requirement between people who are not closely linked must be observed. Exceptions are made to the rules for events where guests are allocated booked seats.
Use of face masks
Masks must be worn wherever the 2-metre social distancing rule cannot be kept between individuals who are not closely linked, with the exception of schools and certain events where guests are seated in booked seats. The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children born 2005 or later.
Face masks shall be used in public transport, in shops and other services. Face masks shall also be used where it is not possible to observe the two-metre social distancing rule, such as in health services, domestic flights and ferries, public transport, taxis and coaches, in practical driving lessons and flight training, as well as at cultural activities, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo parlours, dog grooming salons, tanning salons and other similar activities. Face mask shall cover the nose and mouth.
Exempted from masks are those individuals who have already been infected with COVID-19 and completed isolation. Those who lack the understanding or maturity to use a face mask correctly or are unable to do so for other reasons, such as health reasons, are exempt from the obligation to wear a mask.
Operations involving particular infection risk
Events with seated guests: Up to 200 persons may be present during the ceremonies of religious and life stance ceremonies; stage, cultural and sports events; conferences; lectures; and comparable events provided that the following conditions are met. NOTE! If it is not possible to fulfil the conditions, the rules on a 50-person maximum shall apply for the event in question.
Guests may Guests may not sit across from each other unless two metres separate them.
Permitted proximity conditions between unrelated parties are, at present, 1 metre in seats
The participation of all guests must be registered to numbered seats and must state their name, ID No. and telephone number. The information is to be preserved for two weeks.
Everyone must use a face mask and it ensured that the distance between unrelated parties is more than 1 metre.
Intermissions during shows are permitted although refreshments (whether alcoholic or others) during events is not permitted, irrespective of whether such refreshments are for sale or not. During intermissions guests are to be advised to stay in their seats. Alternatively, the 50 person maximum number of guests and the 2 metre distance applies.
Every effort must be made to prevent crowd-gathering, whether before, after or during intermission.
Mixing between sections is to be prevented. This includes both before and after the event.
Note! If it is not possible to fulfil the above conditions, the rules on a 50-person maximum shall apply for the event in question.
Performing arts, cinema theatres and other cultural events may have up to 50 persons on stage, i.e. during rehearsals and shows. Up to 200 seated guests may be accommodated. Such guests must wear face masks. In addition, children born in 2005 or later are not included in this number. Intermissions during shows are permitted although refreshments (whether alcoholic or others) during events is not permitted, irrespective of whether such refreshments are for sale or not.
Restaurants that are allowed alcohol sales, including bars and nightclubs, may stay open to 23:00 on all days but must comply with the 50-person limit rule and the 2-metre proximity limit between unrelated persons. 23:00 on all days but must comply with the 50-person limit rule and the 2-metre proximity limit between unrelated persons. New guests may not be admitted after 22:00, and all guests must have left the location at 23:00. Only seated guests may be served. Buffet meals may be served however, provided that guests disinfect their hands before and after the use of shared utensils. Mask use is mandatory when guests are not in their seats. Take-away meals may be served until 23:00.
Gambling machines and gambling halls may remain open to 23:00 every day but must comply with the 50-person limit and the two-metre social-distancing rule between unrelated persons. Patrons may not enter after 22:00.
Pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores may accept 5 persons for each 10 m2 of space and may have up to 200 customers in their premises, as long as it is possible to ensure at least 2 metres between persons who are unrelated. In addition, up to 50 members of staff may be in the same area as customers in shops provided that it is possible to maintain the 2-metre social distancing rule between individuals.
At the ceremonies of religious and life stance associations, up to 200 persons may attend, while general restrictions apply to funeral receptions, i.e. 50 persons.
Swimming pools are open and may admit up to 75% of their maximum number of customers according to their operating permit.
Health and physical fitness centres may open their changing rooms, and training in gym equipment halls is permitted provided that there are no more than 50 persons in each area and that they have registered their participation in advance. The permitted maximum number of attendees is 75% of the number stated in the operating permit. All equipment must be disinfected between users and it ensured that members to not travel between areas. Children born in 2005 and later are not included in this number. Here you can find instructions for the operation of health and physical fitness centres.
Ski slopes: Ski slopes are permitted to accept 75% of their maximum acceptance limit for each area. Children born in 2005 and later are not included in this number.
Sporting activities of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ)
The sports activities and competitions involving children and adults, both indoors and outdoors, with or without contact, are permitted. The maximum number of participants in each location is 50. The authorities allow 200 seated audience members during sporting events, providing the above conditions are met. If spectators are standing, the 50-person rule applies.
The same rules as apply to sports training and competitions apply to e.g. chess, bridge and comparable events.
Infection prevention: Shared equipment must be disinfected at least twice a day, ventilation must be in order and the area must be regularly ventilated with fresh outside air.
As regards sports that do not belong within the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, guidelines shall be established to ensure compliance with the same guidelines as comparable sports disciplines within the Association.
Workplaces, shops, public buildings and services
The 2-metre distance rule must be ensured between persons in the same area, as must the appropriate maximum number. There should be no contact (mixing)between compartments.
Infection prevention
Surfaces commonly touched by many people, such as door handles and handrails, must be properly cleaned and disinfected as often as possible.
Access to disinfectant at entrances and near surfaces touched by large numbers of people, such as touch keypads, shopping trolleys and cash registers must be ensured.
Remind the general public and employees of personal infection prevention measures with markings and signs.
Face masks must be used in shops and other service outlets.
Current restrictions on school activities
- applicable from 24 February until 30 April 2021.
The regulation issued by the Minister of Health on the restriction of school activities due to infection prevention measures is effective to 30 April 2021.
Pre schools and day-care parents
Maximum number of employees in an area: 50
Minimum distance between employees: 1 metre
Use of masks by employees: Where a 1-metre distance limit between employees is not possible
Transfer of employees between groups: Permitted only if the highest level of infection prevention control is implemented
Maximum number of children in an area: None
Minimum distance between children: None
Use of face masks by children: None
There are no restrictions on interactions between and the number of nurseryschool children.
Primary schools and after-school activities
Grades 1 to 10
Maximum number of employees in an area: 50
Minimum distance between employees: 1 metre
Use of masks by employees: Where a 1-metre distance limit between employees is not possible
Transfer of employees between groups: Permitted only if the highest level of infection prevention control is implemented
Maximum number of children in an area: 150
Minimum distance between children: None
Use of face masks by children: None
Shared areas (entrances, foyers, lavatories and hallways): Deviations from maximum numbers are permitted
if employees use face masks.
Physical education and school swimming lessons: Allowed
Mixing between groups: Allowed
After-school activities
The same restrictions apply as apply to nursery schools and primary schools.
Upper secondary schools
Maximum number of employees and students per room: 150
Minimum distance between individuals: 1 metre
Use of face masks: Where a 1-metre distance limit is not possible
Transfer of employees and students between groups: Permitted only if the highest level of infection prevention control is implemented and disinfection measures are employed between groups.
Shared areas (entrances, foyers, lavatories and hallways): Deviations from maximum numbers are permitted
if face masks are used
Physical education: Allowed with the same restrictions as other teaching measures.
Universities
Maximum number of employees and students per room: 150
Minimum distance between individuals: 1 metre
Use of face masks: Where a 1-metre distance limit is not possible
Transfer of employees between groups: Permitted only if the highest level of infection prevention control is implemented
Transfer of students between groups: Not permitted
Shared areas (entrances, foyers, lavatories and hallways): Deviations from maximum numbers are permitted if face masks are used
Physical education: Allowed with the same restrictions as other teaching measures.
Fines may be imposed for violations of infection prevention me Fines may be imposed for violations of infection prevention measures
Penalties for offenses related to gathering restrictions, distance limit restrictions, quarantine and isolation.
Border measures
Travel to and within Iceland
Source: https://www.covid.is/sub-categories/visiting-iceland
Source: WCO/Iceland Customs
17.04.2020
Iceland has introduced various health and safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Most of the measures are aimed at residents of Iceland and have to do with social distancing
and public gatherings. The Icelandic government has published useful information regarding
health and safety measures, public announcements and statistic on COVID-19 in Iceland in
several languages on the website www.covid.is
Iceland Revenue and Customs has adjusted its work environment and modus operandi to
comply with the measures introduced by the government. This includes restructuring the
work stations to comply with mandatory social distancing and partial ban on public
gatherings. Up until 4 May 2020 a maximum of 20 people can gather in any given place,
including workplaces (with some exceptions). No movement between work stations and
designated 20 person compartments is allowed. All business travel has been
cancelled/postponed until further notice.
Operating procedures regarding responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of customs
clearance and enforcement have been issued as well as plans regarding continuity of
operations.
The Icelandic government has not introduced any additional import restriction on imported
goods due to the pandemic. However, Iceland has introduced additional export restrictions
on medical supplies and equipment in collaboration with the European Union and several
European countries. For further information please see EU regulation 2020/402 of 14 March
2020, Iceland’s implementation regulation on the multi-national cooperation on export
restrictions on medical equipment No. 301/2020 and an amendment to the Icelandic law on
medicine, No. 13/2020.
The Icelandic government has introduced several economic measures to support the private
sector. Many of the measures are available in English at the Prime Ministers homepage. The
most useful measures for importers and exporters are the amendments to the current
settlement system for import charges. The new economic measures allow importers to split
the current bimonthly payment into two payments. For example, all import charges for
January and February, can have two due dates, 15 March and 5 April.
Air Traffic has dropped radically due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The passenger air traffic
through the international airport has decreased enormously and has led to less air cargo both
in import and export. Iceland can however rely on scheduled air-cargo flights and special air
cargo flights. We have not recognized changes in the maritime transport. No major changes
have taken place regarding the clearance speed since the outbreak of the pandemic.