Iceland
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Volcanic eruption and earthquakes
VolcanicEarthquakes activityand onindications theof Reykjanesvolcanic peninsulaactivity hashave increased above normal levels.levels Althoughon therethe isReykjanes nopeninsula, currentsouthwest eruption,of theReykjavik. The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely.closely, particularly the area northwest of Mt Thorbjörn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon. On 10 November, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes. The town of Grindavík was evacuated as a precaution. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area. Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow authorities’the authorities advice on travel to the area.
Check for alerts and advice from the:
- Icelandic Met Office
- Safe Travel Iceland
- Almannavarnadeild Facebook page and Twitter (@almannavarnir)
Also see Extreme weather and natural disasters.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2024-10-11 15:14
New information about riding Hop on Scooters (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-05 13:18
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
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)