Europe

Iceland
Still current at: 24 November 2009 Updated: 01 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (consular assistance figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu in Iceland (source: Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland). You can check for updates on the number of cases at the Directorate of Health website . The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
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. 5 British nationals required consular assistance in Iceland in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (2 cases); hospitalisations (2 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (0 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (5 cases). Petty crime does occur, you should take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime, do not leave valuables unattended.
Our Embassy has advised that there has been no change to the exchange regulations for foreign travellers. Icelandic krona are available through banks and cash machines in Iceland.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and, if appropriate, that this includes cover for adventure activities. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.

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.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

There are a few safety concerns in Iceland 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.

For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Iceland Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

You should 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 2008 there were 12 road deaths in Iceland (source: Umferðastofa).

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). You should keep dipped headlights on at all times and observe speed limits, which are, in general, lower than in the UK. 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. You should 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.

For more general information see How to Drive in Iceland and Driving Abroad.

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.

Local laws and customs

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.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

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.

Passport validity

Three months passport validity is normally required for those intending to visit Iceland.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of Iceland in London.

Health

There are confirmed humans case of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu in Iceland (source: Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland). You can check for updates on the number of cases at the Directorate of Health website. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

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. The Form E111 is no longer valid. 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. For more general information see EHIC.

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 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 500 adults aged 15 or over in Iceland were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares 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.

You should 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 you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How we can help.

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.

Money

Our Embassy has advised that there has been no change to the exchange regulations for foreign travellers. Icelandic krona are available through banks and cash machines in Iceland.

Iceland is very expensive – be prepared to spend plenty of money, especially if you intend to eat and drink in restaurants and bars. Credit cards are widely used. Hotel accommodation in Iceland is often fully booked for the summer period. If you visit on flight only tickets you should ensure that all your accommodation has been reserved before departure. The British Embassy cannot assist in finding accommodation for those without bookings.

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Contacts

Iceland, Reykjavík, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Postal Address: PO Box 460
121 Reykjavík

Telephone:

(354) 550 5100

Fax:

(354) 550 5105

Email: britemb@centrum.is

Office hours:

GMT: (Local Time = GMT)
Mon-Thurs: 0830-1600
Fri: 0830-1530

Website: http://ukiniceland.fco.gov.uk/en

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