Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Around 70,000 British tourists visit Iceland every year (Source: Statistics Iceland). Most visits to Iceland are trouble-free.  See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See Health and General - Insurance.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
There are a few safety concerns you should be aware of, including the dangers of petty theft and anti-social behaviour, particularly around bars where people gather late at night, on weekends in downtown Reykjavik. Sensible precautions should be observed and you should not leave valuables lying around.

See our Victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
Ensure that you have arranged appropriate vehicle insurance cover prior to travelling. A valid UK or other EU/EEA driving licence is sufficient for driving in Iceland. There is no need for an International Driving Permit.  

In 2010 there were eight road deaths in Iceland (source: DfT). This equates to 2.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the UK average of 3.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 200.

Distances between towns can be great, roads narrow and winding, and speed limits low. Driving takes longer than you think. Particular care needs to be taken on gravel and loose surfaces. Driving conditions may be hazardous and roads impassable, especially in winter. Winter tyres are mandatory from approximately 1 November to 14 April (exact dates can vary year on year). Keep dipped headlights on at all times and observe speed limits. Fines for exceeding the speed limit are high.

Many highland tracks only open for a short part of the summer. If you intend to drive to the highland, or remoter regions of the country, you should always check first with the Icelandic Road Administration (Vegagerdin) before departure:  Tel:  +354 522 1000.  Vegagerdin provides up to date information on all roads in the country and will also advise you on forecasted weather conditions and on off-road driving, which is strictly controlled. Remain alert to the possibility of rapidly changing weather patterns, including river levels, which can change dramatically even within the same day.

Drink/drive laws are strictly enforced.

Take care to read the small print on car rental agreements to ensure that you fully understand which damages are and which damages are not covered by the Excess or Damage Waiver.  Some car hire agreements limit the class of roads you are allowed to take your hire vehicle on. Costs for breakdown recovery, especially in remote areas, can be very high.  

See How to Drive in Iceland and our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Iceland.  For more details about this see Airline Security.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Iceland Country Profile 

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even small quantities or soft drugs can lead to heavy fines and/or imprisonment. The use and/or importation of khat/qat (legal in the UK) is prohibited in Iceland.

Alcohol limits for drivers are far stricter than UK levels. Submission to a breathalyser test is mandatory. Penalties for driving under the influence are severe.

Smoking in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings is prohibited. Anyone caught smoking will initially be asked to leave the premises. Failure to do so will result in arrest and a fine.

You are not required to carry your passport with you at all times in Iceland, but it is sensible to keep some form of ID on you and ensure that next of kin details are entered into the back of your passport.

Whale meat is available in Iceland but tourists should be aware that its importation into the UK/EU is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Any importation of whale meat to the UK will result in seizure of the goods, possibly a fine of up to £5,000 and a custodial sentence.

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
You need a passport to enter Iceland. Holders of valid UK passports endorsed British Citizen, British National Overseas and British Overseas Territory Citizen do not require visas for stays of up to three months. In all other cases (e.g. British Overseas Citizen) holders will require a valid Schengen visa to enter Iceland. Iceland is a member country of the EEA, which entitles British Citizens to work or reside in Iceland, providing they obtain a Residence/Work Permit from the Directorate of Immigration. If you wish to stay more than three months in Iceland, you should contact the Directorate of Immigration, Útlendingastofnun, Skogarhlid 6, 105 Reykjavík.  Tel 510-5400.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Iceland. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of three months from the date of entry into Iceland. 

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of Iceland in London.

Healthcare facilities in Iceland are of a high western standard. However, the distances between facilities can be great and whilst most towns have a health centre or basic hospital, serious cases generally necessitate ambulance/air transfer to hospital in either Reykjavik or Akureyri.

Under the terms of the EEA Regulation, British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Iceland. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Icelandic nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. See our EHIC page.
 
Midges can be a problem to summer visitors in countryside areas close to lakes and rivers.

To obtain emergency medical assistance in Iceland, dial 112.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 1000 adults aged 15 or over in Iceland were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.3% of the adult population compared to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Iceland and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel health page.

Iceland is volcanically and seismically active. Grimsvötn volcano erupted on 21 May 2011 and caused disruption to Icelandic and European airspace. The effects of the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, on 21 March 2010 are well known. There is always the possibility that another volcano could erupt, although constant monitoring by the Icelandic authorities means that there should be notice of an imminent eruption. Up to date information on seismic activity can be found on the Icelandic Meteorological Office website www.vedur.is. Additional sources of information relevant to seismic activity and the effects of volcanic eruptions in Iceland can be found at the following links:-

Iceland Air

UK Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre

Icelandic Civil Protection Authority - This also includes links to health advice.

Icelandic MET Office

Icelandic Civil Aviation Agency

Institute of Earth Science

Information for Tourists

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then seen our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Money
Our Embassy has advised that there has been no change to the exchange regulations for foreign travellers. Icelandic Kronur are available through banks and cash machines in Iceland although some UK banks require advance notice before allowing debit or credit cards to be used in Iceland.

Iceland is expensive. Credit cards are widely used. Hotel accommodation in Iceland is often fully booked for the summer period. If you visit on flight only tickets ensure that all your accommodation has been reserved before departure. The British Embassy cannot assist in finding accommodation for those without bookings.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Eight British nationals required consular assistance in Iceland in the period 01 April 2010 to 11 March 2011 for the following types of incident; four deaths; two hospitalisations; and one arrest. Petty crime does occur, you should take normal, common-sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime, do not leave valuables unattended.