Last update: June 1, 2021
Do you want to travel to Iceland? Then read on! Not only is Iceland known for its amazing waterfalls and geysers, Iceland is also one of the best places to escape the crowds.
And as if vast landscapes, glaciers, impressive bird cliffs, and wild rivers are not enough, there’s even an active volcano you can visit by helicopter or hiking. Can it get any hotter?
In this article, we will present a breakdown of Iceland’s current travel restrictions and entry requirements.
In short, Icelandic borders are open to residents of the Schengen Area, EEA, EFTA, and EU. In addition to this, the borders are open to all travellers who can show a certificate of full vaccination or a certificate of previous COVID-19 infection.
These current measures at the border are valid until June 15, 2021, after which the government intends to relax restrictions.
Do you have a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 or do you have a certificate of previous COVID-19 infection?
Good news! Icelandic borders are open for those who can show their certificate of full vaccination or certificate of previous COVID-19 infection.
However, every traveller must still undergo testing upon arrival to Iceland. This applies to literally everybody, so also children, people who have been vaccinated, and those who have COVID-19 antibodies.
If everything goes well, the testing at the border changes June 15, after which vaccinated individuals will not need to undergo testing at the border anymore. This article will be updated when more is known about this.
Everyone should also quarantine, but travellers who present a vaccination certificate or certificate of previous infection only need to be quarantined until a negative result is obtained from the border testing. You will get your result within 24 hours after testing.
Please be aware that Iceland is welcoming travellers with above-mentioned certificates from outside of the Schengen area, but further travel from Iceland to the rest of Europe is not permitted for non-Schengen residents.
Are you not vaccinated against COVID-19 and have you not been previously infected?
Since June 1, the regulation banning unnecessary travel from specified high-risk areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic does no longer apply.
Since June 1, travellers arriving from high-risk areas will no longer need to stay in a government-run quarantine facility, but can instead quarantine at an accommodation that welcomes guests in quarantine.
This is because the incidence rate of infections at the border has been decreasing and the number of European countries on the list of high-risk areas has also decreased. The use of government-run quarantine facilities is still available for everyone who needs to undergo quarantine and has no place to go in Iceland or who is otherwise unable to isolate.
If you cannot present a vaccination certificate or a certificate of previous infection at the border, you must quarantine for five/six days. Here’s a list of accommodations that welcomes guests in quarantine.
At the end of the quarantine, you have to visit a healthcare centre for a second test.
Infection prevention
Hand washing, coughing in your elbow, avoiding touching of eyes, nose, and mouth, avoiding handshaking, and keeping safe distance from others are key factors in reducing the risk of infection. Individuals located in Iceland are asked to report symptoms (cough, fever, and muscle aches) to 1700 or +354 544-4113.
This article will be updated when new rules and regulations go into effect. Visit the government’s official website or check out Iceland Review for up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Iceland.
With these rules and regulations in mind, you can decide if you want to pick Iceland as your next travel destination. We hope to welcome you soon!
