Iceland
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Iceland’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. You should take out appropriate travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs.
From 1 January 2021, most people cannot use a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to get medical treatment in Iceland.
To read more about what your travel insurance should cover, see the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Approximately 261,000 British nationals visited Iceland through Keflavik airport in 2019. Most visits are trouble-free.
If you’re living in or moving to Iceland, read the Living in Iceland guide in addition to this travel advice.
Iceland is volcanically and seismically active. You should monitor the Icelandic Met Office website for the latest updates and follow the advice of the local authorities. In case of an emergency, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in Iceland will send out text messages to anyone located in the vicinity. See Natural disasters
Weather conditions can also be severe and change rapidly. In order to receive the latest updates and alerts, you should monitor the Safe Travel website, Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website and Icelandic Met Office reports.
If you need to contact the emergency services, call 112.
If you’re travelling around Iceland leave your travel plans with Safe Travel in case you need assistance from the Icelandic emergency services. Keep mobile phones switched on and always follow the advice of the local authorities.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Iceland, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Iceland’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. You should take out appropriate travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs.
From 1 January 2021, most people cannot use a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to get medical treatment in Iceland.
To read more about what your travel insurance should cover, see the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Approximately 261,000 British nationals visited Iceland through Keflavik airport in 2019. Most visits are trouble-free.
If you’re living in or moving to Iceland, read the Living in Iceland guide in addition to this travel advice.
Iceland is volcanically and seismically active. You should monitor the Icelandic Met Office website for the latest updates and follow the advice of the local authorities. In case of an emergency, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in Iceland will send out text messages to anyone located in the vicinity. See Natural disasters
Weather conditions can also be severe and change rapidly. In order to receive the latest updates and alerts, you should monitor the Safe Travel website, Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website and Icelandic Met Office reports.
If you need to contact the emergency services, call 112.
If you’re travelling around Iceland leave your travel plans with Safe Travel in case you need assistance from the Icelandic emergency services. Keep mobile phones switched on and always follow the advice of the local authorities.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Iceland, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2024-08-23 11:19
Updated information on new volcanic eruptions on Reykjanes peninsula on 22 August (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-08-12 16:01
Deletion of language on glacial flooding affecting Route 1. Updated information on driving conditions and the monitoring of volcanic activity (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-28 01:30
Latest update: Glacial flooding from Myrdalsjokull in the south of Iceland has affected the main Route 1 road. Make sure to check your route before travelling and follow local advice (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-26 11:53
Updated information to the terrorism section (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-29 16:25
Updated information on the latest volcanic activity (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-05-07 16:09
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-03-16 23:03
Update on latest volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland.
2024-02-12 11:27
Information on volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-08 11:09
Information on volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-01-17 15:02
Information on volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-01-14 09:40
A volcanic eruption started on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland on 14 January, north of the town of Grindavík (Warnings and insurance)
2023-12-22 11:04
Updated information on volcanic activity and arctic travel (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-12-19 11:10
Updated information on current volcanic eruption (‘Warning and insurance’ page).
2023-11-11 10:42
Update regarding information on earthquakes and volcanic activity (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-07 11:25
Additional information on earthquakes and volcanic activity (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-30 16:18
Information on new volcanic activity (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-17 16:58
Updated information on new volcanic activity (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2023-08-04 13:36
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-07-12 16:26
Updated information about the volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural Disasters’ pages).
2023-07-11 13:38
Information about new volcanic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-07-10 18:36
Updated information about new volcanic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural Disasters’ pages)
2023-07-06 14:16
Information about new seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-06-22 10:46
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-01-20 13:06
Change to information on terrorism (‘Terrorism’ page).
2022-12-22 14:07
Removal of information on severe weather conditions in Iceland (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-22 12:00
Updated information on severe weather conditions in Iceland (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-20 11:55
Updated information on severe weather conditions in Iceland (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-19 16:37
Updated information on severe weather conditions in Iceland (‘Summary’ page).
2022-11-29 15:53
Updated information on safety in Iceland (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-11-23 16:30
Updated information on safety in Iceland (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-09-14 09:49
Updated information on volcanic activity in Iceland (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2022-08-05 15:25
Updated information on volcano activity in Iceland (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-08-03 17:07
Update to information on volcano activity in Iceland (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-08-01 16:05
Updated information on volcano activity (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-06-30 11:55
Updated information on road deaths and traffic accidents in Iceland in 2020, car hire and road safety (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-19 15:19
Update on latest volcano status (’Natural disasters’ page)
2022-05-12 15:15
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-25 00:06
Update to information to reflect the removal of all COVID-19 travel restrictions for Iceland from 25 February (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)