Updated 4 November 220:
The latest information regarding travel restrictions to Iceland due to covid-19 will from now on be available on the website of the Icelandic Police:
Travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19
The information below has been updated in accordance with the latest amendments to the regulation on the crossing of the border, signed 10 August 2020.
The Minister of Justice has decided to extend the travel restrictions imposed by the EU and Schengen states while lifting restrictions for residents of certain non-EEA and Schengen states in line with the decision of EU Member States.
Foreign nationals that are not listed below continue not to be allowed to enter Iceland, unless they can demonstrate that their travel is essential.
To whom do the travel restrictions not apply?
The travel restrictions do not apply to:
- EU/EEA and EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) as well as citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican.
- Foreign citizens with a valid residence permit in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican.
- Relatives of Icelandic or other EU/EEA or EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) or citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican as well as relatives of residence permit holders in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican. Relatives refers to spouses, cohabiting partners, direct descendants and direct relatives in the ascending line.
- Foreign citizens who are in a long-term intimate relationship with a person who legally resides in Iceland. Please note that the provision does not apply to individuals who are in a relationship with an Icelandic citizen residing abroad.
- Foreign citizens with demonstratable residence in one of the following states when travelling to Iceland from their respective state of residence:
Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
Please note that foreign citizens who are subject to a visa requirment 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.
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What documents must be presented to be allowed entry into Iceland? | |
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| 1. EU/EEA and EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) as well as citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. | A valid travel document |
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2. Foreign citizens with a valid residence permit in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican. |
A valid travel document and a valid residence permit card |
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3. Spouses of Icelandic or other EU/EEA or EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) or citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican as well as spouses of residence permit holders in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican. |
A valid travel document and an authenticated marriage certificate* |
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3. Direct descendants and direct relatives in the ascending line of Icelandic or other EU/EEA or EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) or citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican as well as direct descendants and direct relatives in the ascending line of residence permit holders in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican. |
A valid travel document and an authenticated birth certificate* as proof of family relationship |
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3. Cohabiting partners of Icelandic or other EU/EEA or EFTA citizens (including UK citizens) or citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican as well as cohabiting partners of residence permit holders in Iceland or any other EU/EEA or EFTA state (including UK) or Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican. |
A valid travel document and a cohabitation confirmation* |
| 4. Foreign citizens who are in a long-term intimate relationship with a person who legally resides in Iceland. | A valid travel document and a confirmation of the partner's legal residence in Iceland (a residence certificate from Registers Iceland). Please note that you might be asked for a proof of your long-term relationship at the border. |
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5. Foreign citizens with demonstratable residence in one of the following states when travelling to Iceland from their respective state of residence: |
A valid travel document, documents demonstrating the foreigner’s residence in one of these states (i.e. residence permit, work permit, driving licence or other ID issued by the respective state of residence) and documents confirming that the foreigner is traveling to Iceland from the respective state. |
*An authenticated certificate means that a competent authority in the country of issue has certified the document. Certificates in a language other than English or a Nordic language must be accompanied with an English translation.
The requirements above are valid for all passengers entering the Schengen area in Iceland, irrespective of whether they intend to continue their travel to another Schengen member state.
As of June 15, the above-mentioned individuals can choose to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival instead of 14 days of quarantine, please see further information on covid.is.
Exemptions from travel restrictions
Foreign nationals, who are neither EU/EEA nor EFTA nationals, are exempted from the travel restrictions if they can demonstrate that their travel to Iceland is essential, including:
- passengers in airport transit,
- health and care workers on professional travel,
- transportation crews (airlines and freighters),
- individuals requiring international protection,
- individuals traveling because of acute family incidents,
- diplomats, international organization staff, members of armed forces traveling to Iceland for duty, or humanitarian aid workers,
- students, please note that it must be demonstrated that the purpose of the stay is to participate in an organized educational programme,
- individuals who need to travel for jobs that are considered to be economically significant and cannot be carried out later or abroad.
No exemptions are made for the purpose of tourism.
Please note that students enrolled in university studies in Iceland are only required to present a confirmation of enrolment at an Icelandic university together with a valid travel document, for entry into the country.
Individuals who need to travel for economically significant jobs can request a confirmation of being exempted from the travel restrictions by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Limited issuance of visas
Since the issuance of visas has been stopped temporarily in many countries that issue visas on Iceland’s behalf, individuals who need a visa to travel to Iceland might need to postpone their travel until the issuance of visas starts again.
Individuals who need a visa to travel to Iceland can contact the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for information on the issuing of visas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..