COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Iceland (22 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No, with exceptions

• The rules on entry to Iceland depend on multiple factors such as the citizenship, the vaccination status and travel history of the traveller and are constantly updated. Travellers can use the Iceland Entry Guide/ Questionnaire to find the entry rules applicable to them.

• Foreigners may not enter Iceland unless they are in one of the exemption categories below:

• EEA/EFTA citizens as well as citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican. Relatives of EEA/EFTA-citizens are not permitted to travel to Iceland based on this exemption if the EEA/EFTA citizen in question does not legally reside in Iceland.

• Relatives of Icelandic or other EEA/EFTA citizens or citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, or the Vatican (includes a spouse or cohabiting partner; child, stepchild, grandchild, or step-grandchild of the person living in Iceland, his/her spouse or cohabitating partner; parent, stepparent or step-grandparents of the person living in Iceland, his/her spouse or cohabitating partner; Siblings or step-siblings of the person living in Iceland, his/her spouse or cohabitating partner.

• Relatives of Icelandic citizens are permitted to travel with them to Iceland independent of the Icelandic citizen's residence.

• UK nationals (and their family members) benefiting from the BREXIT Separation Agreement who have a right of residence in Iceland prior to the 1st of January 2021.

• Foreign nationals with a valid residence permit or another type of right to stay or reside in Iceland or any other EEA/EFTA state, or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, or the Vatican.

• Relatives of residence permit holders in Iceland or any other EEA/EFTA state, or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, or the Vatican.

• Foreign citizens that are verifiably residents in and arriving from Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR)
  Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macao (SAR), Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, USA.

• Foreign nationals in a long-term intimate relationship with an Icelandic citizen or a person who legally resides in Iceland.

• Exemptions due to essential travel can be found at this link.

• Foreign travellers who present a valid vaccination certificate or document certifying that the traveller is no longer infectious following a previous COVID-19 infection, are allowed to enter Iceland. More details on the same can be accessed here. The vaccine exemption takes effect 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine.

• Children/minors who are not from the EEA/EFTA area, or from countries exempted from travel restrictions, can only enter if they fulfill criteria for exceptions or are in the care of individuals who fulfill the criteria.

NOTE: The issuance of visas is still closed in many countries. Foreign citizens who are exempt from the entry ban but are subject to a visa requirement must still be issued a visa before travelling to Iceland. Visa rules can therefore restrict the right of individuals to enter the country even if the travel restrictions do not apply to them.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Transiting passengers who do not leave the airport terminal or border crossing point will not have health screenings or be subject to quarantine. Travellers in transit will be required to complete the Declaration form for exemption from travel restrictions.

• Passengers transiting via Iceland to another Schengen country must be able to show proof of permission to travel to the relevant state.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions.

• The rules on tests-on-arrival depend on multiple factors such as the citizenship, the vaccination status and travel history of the passenger and are constantly updated. Travellers can use the Iceland Entry Guide/ Questionnaire to find the entry rules regarding tests on arrival that may be applicable to them.

• All travellers arriving in Iceland from defined-high-risk zones and who are unable to submit an accepted vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery, will need to undergo a test on arrival.

• Effective 27 July 2021, all arriving travellers will be required to get tested on arrival, irrespective of their vaccination/ immunity status.

• If less than 14 days have passed since the second shot (or from single vaccination with the Janssen vaccine), one test upon arrival in Iceland is required

• Children/minors who are born in the year 2005 or later are exempt from testing requirements

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• COVID-19 PCR test certificates from other countries are accepted. Valid certificates must be in English, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish. Rapid antigen tests are not valid.

• Iceland accepts all valid vaccine certificates, including the EU Digital Covid Certificate, documentation from the CDC in the USA, the NHS in the United Kingdom and all other authentic vaccination certificates.

• Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are currently not accepted (rapid PCR-tests, rapid antigen or rapid antibody tests).

• Positive PCR-test (RT-PCR) results for COVID-19 that is older than 14 days and Presence of antibodies (IgG) against COVID-19 measured by ELISA or equivalent serologic assay certificates are considered a valid confirmation of a previous COVID-19 infection. Certificates of previous COVID-19 infection are required to include the following details:

• The certificate should be in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English. A document in another language can be valid if the original document is accompanied by a certified stamped translation in one of the languages required.

• The types of certificates accepted at the border and details on additional criteria for validity can be found in this government notification.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• The rules on test certificates depend on multiple factors such as the citizenship, the vaccination status and travel history of the passenger and are constantly updated. Travellers can use the Iceland Entry Guide/ Questionnaire to find the entry rules regarding test certificates that may be applicable to them.

• Effective 27 July, all inbound passengers including vaccinated travellers, and those presenting a certificate of a prior COVID-19 infection are required to present a negative PCR or antigen (rapid) test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to departure to Iceland.

• Currently, all arrivals (excluding from Greenland) must present a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate before boarding an aircraft or ship to Iceland and upon arrival in Iceland. The COVID-19 PCR test certificate must be issued within 72 hours prior to departure to Iceland.

• Travellers providing valid proof of a full vaccination or proof of prior infection are currently exempt from travel restrictions (such as testing and self-isolation). This exemption will apply to citizens outside the Schengen area.

• Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from pre-registration, presenting a certificate of a negative PCR-test and testing.

• Iceland accepts all valid vaccine certificates, including the EU Digital Covid Certificate, documentation from the CDC in the USA, the NHS in the United Kingdom and all other authentic vaccination certificates. At least 14 days must be completed from the second dose (or 14 days from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson dose) for a certificate to be valid.

• The types of certificates accepted at the border and details on additional criteria for validity can be found in this government notification.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• The rules on quarantine depend on multiple factors such as the citizenship, the vaccination status and travel history of the passenger and are constantly updated. Travellers can use the Iceland Entry Guide/ Questionnaire to find the entry rules regarding quarantine that may be applicable to them.

• Travellers must wait in quarantine (approximately 12 hours) until they receive the results of the test undertaken on arrival. The results will appear in the Rakning C-19 app.

• All persons arriving in the country from defined-high-risk zones without an accepted vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery from previous infection, will need to enter quarantine after undergoing testing at the border and undertake a second test at the end of quarantine.

• All unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for five days and undertake another COVID-19 test at the end of quarantine. Currently, exemptions from stay in an official quarantine facility may be availed depending on the country of arrival.

• Travellers may quarantine at home provided that their accommodation meets certain conditions. Only those who do not have access to adequate facilities to undergo home quarantine are required to stay in a quarantine facility. A list of accommodations that accommodate guests in quarantine can be found here.

• Travellers with a vaccination certificate or a certificate of previous infection are exempted from quarantine on arrival. Children/minors who are born in the year 2005 or later are exempted from quarantine if they are travelling with people who are vaccinated or have previous infections.

• Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate for 14 days. Children born in 2005 and later are exempt from COVID-19 testing.

• Travellers from Greenland are exempt from quarantine measures provided that they have not stayed in any other country for the 14 days prior to arrival in Iceland.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or be required to spend up to 14 days in quarantine, depending on their vaccination status and COVID-19 test result.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All passengers travelling to Iceland are required to complete a pre-registration form before arrival. The form is available here. This form does not serve as an application for entry.

• Declaration forms stating the intent of travel to Iceland may be found here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• A tracking app, Rakning C-19 app, is recommended for test results, screening, and tracing contacts and is available here.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

• Travellers with proof of full vaccination or proof of prior infection will be exempt from travel restrictions (such as testing and self-isolation).

• Iceland accepts all valid vaccine certificates, including the EU Digital Covid Certificate, documentation from the CDC in the USA, the NHS in the United Kingdom and all other authentic vaccination certificates. The certificates must be in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English or French. A document in another language can be valid if the original document is accompanied by a certified stamped translation in one of the languages required.

• The vaccine must be authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO) and at least 14 days must pass since receiving the final shot of vaccine, in order to qualify as fully vaccinated. The list of accepted vaccines and interval between shots can be found here (this list is regularly updated).

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports are open and commercial flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Iceland's borders are open to other EU and Schengen states.

• Iceland does not grant any authorization before travelling to Iceland. Travellers must have the necessary documentation when they arrive at the border.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• No curfew is in place.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing measures and limits on gatherings have been lifted.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• There are no internal travel restrictions.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops are open and most restrictions have been lifted.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels and other accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars & Cafes are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Spas and gyms are allowed to operate

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open in full capacity.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Authorities have lifted all domestic restrictions and limits on gatherings.

Masks required in public?

• No

• Authorities have lifted the requirement to wear masks in public spaces.

Other Restrictions

• Arcades, nightclubs, pubs, slot machines may open until 23:00 (local time) every day.

• Colleges and universities are allowed to open with public health measures. In schools, at least two meters of physical distance must be maintained when not using face masks.

• Performing arts, cinemas, and other cultural events are allowed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.