Due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Icelandic government has implemented the travel restrictions imposed for the Schengen Area and the European Union. As of 20 March 2020, Foreign Nationals - except EU/EEA, EFTA or UK nationals - are not allowed to enter Iceland. This advice is valid until 17 April 2020.
Furthermore, as of 19 March 2020, all residents in Iceland that enter the country are obligated to undergo quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their nationality and where they are traveling from. This also applies to new residents and persons seeking international protection. Transportation crews (airlines and freighters) continue to be except from quarantine.
To whom do the travel restrictions apply?
The travel restrictions apply to all Foreign Nationals, other than EU/EEA, EFTA or UK Nationals, irrespective of whether they require a visa to travel to the Schengen Area or not.
To whom do the travel restrictions not apply?
The travel restrictions do not apply to:
- EU citizens
- Citizens of the EFTA States
- UK citizens
- Individuals with a valid residence permit in Iceland or any of the Schengen Member States
- Family members of Icelandic or other EU/EFTA citizens, in particular spouses, cohabiting partners, direct descendants and dependent direct relatives in the ascending line.
Exemptions
The travel restrictions do not apply to essential travel, 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 and diplomats, international organization staff, members of armed forces traveling to Iceland for duty, or humanitarian aid workers.
Foreign Nationals covered by the travel restriction, who need to travel to a Schengen Member State through Iceland in any of the above-mentioned purposes, are advised to contact the Member State they are traveling to for a written confirmation of their permission to enter the respective state’s territory. Without such a confirmation, such Foreign Nationals cannot be authorized to enter the Schengen Area in Iceland.
If Iceland is the main destination, it is recommended that Foreign Nationals covered by the travel restriction contact Iceland's nearest embassy or the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Services (Tel. +354 545 0112 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for information on how to be given an exemption from the travel restrictions.
Please note that if you intend to travel to Iceland with a stopover in another state, it is very important to carefully examine whether any travel restrictions have been introduced in the respective state that might affect your travel to Iceland.