Covid-19
Travel to and within Iceland
New border measures will come into force on February 19 which requires all arriving passengers in Iceland to present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland. This is in addition to the current system of double screening, that also requires all arriving passengers to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test. 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.
Isolation in Quarantine hotels. An individual who tests positive for COVID 19 at the border will be required to isolate in a managed isolation facility (quarantine hotel) should they be unable to demonstrate that they have made appropriate quarantine arrangement themselves. Individuals found to be infected with certain virus strains will be required to to isolate in a managed isolation facility.
All arriving passengers who have stayed in a risk area for more than 24 hours are obligated to undergo two tests for the detection of COVID-19 after arrival in Iceland with a quarantine between tests. Children born 2005 or later who travel with parents/guardians go into quarantine with them. The first test is at the border and the second one 5 days later. Children born 2005 or later who travel alone are obligated to undergo a test after 5 days in quarantine upon arrival. The same applies to children who travel with parents/guardian who have certificates for exemption. The quarantine is lifted when a negative result (virus not detected) is obtained from the second testing.
Connecting passengers who do not go beyond the respective border-crossing point neither have to quarantine nor undergo testing. Connecting passengers who go beyond the border-crossing but stay in Iceland for less than 48 hours are allowed to quarantine instead of undergoing a test according to this provision.
Those who have confirmed with PCR-testing or antibody testing from an EU/EFTA state that they have previously had a COVID-19 infection are exempt from quarantine. All those who present a valid international vaccination certificate for full vaccination with an approved vaccine against COVID-19 are exempt.
A certificate is required to include the following details:
- Be in the Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English language.
- First name and last name (as in travel documents).
- Date of birth.
- When test was performed (date).
- Where test was performed (country/city/address).
- Name of laboratory/issuer of certificate.
- Date of certifcate.
- Phone number of laboratory or responsible authority.
- Type of test performed (PCR-test or antibody test with ELISA/serologic assay**).
- Result of test (PCR-test positive for SARS-CoV-2 or antibodies present).
Important! Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 or confirmation of previous COVID-19 infection can not exempt individuals from the current travel restrictions. These certificates can only exempt individuals who are already authorised to travel to Iceland from quarantine and testing requirements. Third country citizens who have had full vaccination against COVID-19 or have a confirmed previous COVID-19 infection can therefore still not travel to Iceland unless they can present documents upon arrival to prove to be exempt from the current travel restrictions.
Before departure
New border measures will come into force on February 19 which requires all arriving passengers in Iceland to present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland. This is in addition to the current system of double screening, that also requires all arriving passengers to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test. 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.
A new regulation on border measures also includes provisions that require individuals to isolate in managed isolation facilities (quarantine hotels) if the first border test is positive and the infected individual is unable to provide credible plans for self-managed isolation. The requirement for isolation in a managed facility may also apply to individuals who are infected with virus strains that are classified by the Chief Epidemiologist as particularly worrisome in terms of contagion and morbidity.
Travel restrictions Icelandic borders are open to the residents and citizens of the EEA and Switzerland, and Iceland follows the travel restrictions of the outer borders of the Schengen area which are in effect at present. Here you will be able to find all necessary information on the travel restrictions applicable for travel to Iceland due to COVID-19.
Pre-registrationPre-registration for arrivals to Iceland. All travellers are under obligation to complete a registration form, follow infection prevention rules and are encouraged to download the Rakning C-19 app (a tracking app). Pre-registration does not constitute travel authorisation.
The Rakning C-19 app The app is used is used to send information on negative results from screening tests and to help track infections if necessary. The Rakning C-19 app – Information and instructions
Border screening and quarantine
The first screening is performed at the border on arrival. Thereafter, arriving passengers are to undergo quarantine for 5–6 days according to the instructions for home-based quarantine or quarantine guidelines for persons travelling to Iceland.
Persons travelling to Iceland may not be picked up at the airport. This includes family members and friends. Arrivals to Iceland must take a taxi, a rental car or a private car that has been dropped off at the airport.
Testing at the border is free of charge. It is important to read the instructions on the screening process, i.e. the procedure used after arrival in Iceland.
Main points to keep in mind regarding quarantine:
You may obtain necessary medical treatment services on condition of having first contacted your nearest healthcare centre, Læknavakt/1700, the emergency hotline 112 or + 354 544 4113 if phoning from an overseas telephone number.
You may go for walks in less frequented areas but must keep at least two metres away from other pedestrians.
You may not have physical contact with others who share the home and must take the greatest care to ensure cleanliness and try to maintain a distance of at least 1–2 metres when in contact with other members of the household.
You may not use public transport (domestic flights, buses, coaches), only taxis, rental cars and private cars.
You may not go to restaurants, bars or gatherings of any form, such as swimming pools, cinemas, the theatre, shops or other places where large numbers of people congregate.
You may not undertake personal errands or go shopping. This includes pharmacies, supermarkets, post offices, banks, etc. Delivery services are available from Internet shops and restaurants.
You may not go to work or school.
You may not go on excursions and may not drive long distances, except between a border crossing and your final quarantine destination if such location is in a different region.
Subsequent screening and quarantine until the results are sent
Your second screening test will be performed in a healthcare centre. Screening is performed in a number of locations around Iceland. Please note that not all healthcare centres have the same opening hours. Your obligation to remain in quarantine will be removed as soon as you receive a negative result from your second screening.
A positive result will always result in isolation, and in such cases, the instructions on home isolation must be followed. The diagnosis, treatment and the monitoring of notifiable diseases, including COVID-19, is free of charge. This does not apply to optional testing for COVID-19. The second screening is free of charge.
A negative result from border screening does not mean that you can ignore the quarantine obligation if it becomes clear that you have been exposed to infection, such as if you sat near an infected person during aircraft travel. Those who are unexpectedly quarantined and who do not have access to a quarantine facility may take advantage of public quarantine facilities.
On offer is a list of guesthouses/hotels that accept quarantine guests.
Please note that violations of quarantine or isolation rules are subject to fines and the involvement of the authorities to prevent violations.
Other important information
People who are travelling are advised to familiarise themselves with the travel advice of the authorities as regards COVID-19.
It is important that persons who find it difficult to leave locations in which they find themselves to contact the citizens’ services by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or sending a message via Facebook. In emergencies, you can contact the emergency citizens’ service of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs by calling +354 545 0112. Information services are provided at any time (24/7).
Principal information on the rights of travellers as regards COVID-19 may be found on the website of Ferðamálastofa.
In closing, it is always worth remembering to ensure general hygiene, particularly washing your hands with soap and water.
Defined risk areas
It is important to know what rules are in effect at any given time as regards defined infection risk areas and the rules that apply to travelling across borders.
The list of countries defined as risk areas is regularly revised.
Travel from Iceland
Icelandic residents are advised to avoid travelling to risk areas.