Practical Information

COVID Information

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.

Further information can be found at Covid.is

Visas

Visas are not required for US and EU citizens. For information on passport and visa requirements for other nationals as well as the Schengen area regulations, please view the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.

Business - shopping - banking hours

Office hours are generally 09:00 -17:00 and 08:00 - 16:00 during June, July and August. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00. Attention: Independence Day is Friday June 17th. Banks will be closed and regular opening hours do not apply.  

Currency exchange

The Icelandic monetary unit is the "króna." Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.  Exchange rate

Travellers cheques, debit and credit cards

Are widely accepted in Iceland. The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA. Cash can be obtained at every bank branch (over 170) as well as in all ATMs throughout the country.

Shopping

The shops in Iceland are of international standard, and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialities are woollen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.

TAX-FREE shopping

A refund of local Value-Added Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland.The refund will result in a reduction of up to 15% of the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months after the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per store. All goods (except woollens) need to be shown at customs before check-in. At Keflavík airport this applies only to tax-free forms whose refund value exceeds ISK 5,000. All other forms can be refunded directly in cash at Landsbanki Íslands in the departure hall.

Post offices

There are post offices located in all major communities in Iceland. General hours are: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:30. Many post offices in Reykjavik are open during the weekends. Information on opening hours can be found through http://www.postur.is/en

Telephones

Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland.The code into Iceland from overseas is +354 + seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, and the telephone number you wish to reach.

Mobile phones

GSM: There are four GSM operators in Iceland: Siminn, Nova, Tal and Vodafone. Together they cover most of Iceland including all towns and villages with over 200 inhabitants. These telephone companies both sell pre-paid GSM phone cards and offer GSM/GPRS services. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country.

Weather

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool temperate ocean climate. June is the first of three summer months in Iceland along with July and August. The average temperature in Reykjavik in June is 9°C (48°F) but it can go as high as 15°C (59°F) or more. It can of course rain in June (as in every other month in Iceland), but it varies how much it rains in June, the average precipitation is 50mm. However the weather is very changeable, so be prepared for the unexpected. For updated weather information visit www.vedur.is/english

Time

Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year, and does not go on daylight saving time.

Health - pharmacies - emergency medical help

Icelanders enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and quality fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called "Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Many are open into the night. Reykjavík has a great many general practitioners, as well as specialists, many of whom will receive patients at short notice. There are also many Health Centres in Reykjavík, with officially appointed family doctors who receive patients at short notice during the day.

Medical help

There is a medical centre or a hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland. The emergency phone number (24 hours) in Iceland is 112.

Health insurance

EEA citizens
All insured persons from member states of the EEA must bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for use in Iceland. Insured persons from other Nordic countries can bring their EHIC or other confirmation of insurance.

Insured persons from another EEA country are entitled to health care which become necessary on medical grounds during a temporary stay in Iceland, taking into account the nature of the health care and the expected length of the stay.

They must present the EHIC and personal identification papers. A fee, to be paid for each consultation, and other services, is fixed by a regulation. Persons who present valid EHIC will be charged the same fee as persons insured in Iceland. If necessary documents are not presented they will be charged the full costs of the treatment according to tariffs.

If an insured person who follows these rules is nevertheless charged for the full cost of the medical care given he/she can seek reimbursement by turning to (1) the main office of Icelandic Health Insurance or (2) the insurance institution in their home country of insurance.

All original bills, receipts of payment, EHIC and personal identification papers must be presented. The amount reimbursed is the difference between the full cost of the medical care given and the patient´s fee, according to tariffs. 

Non-EEA citizens
Those who are not covered by the EEA regulations can obtain medical assistance but must pay in full. They can then seek reimbursement from their own insurance in their country of origin or from their private insurance, according to rules and regulations applicable in their insurance country.

For further information contact:

State Social Security Institute

• Laugavegur 114 • IS-105 Reykjavík
• Tel.: +354-560-4400 • +354-560-4520
• Office hours 08:05 - 15:30