FAQ

Frequently asked questions:

Health/Pharmacies/Emergency medical help

Icelanders enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and good quality fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called “Apótek” and are open during normal business hours.

Medical help: There is a medical center or hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland.

Emergency: The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112. See also http://www.safetravel.is

Health insurance: Citizens of Scandinavia must show their passports in the event of a medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the European Health Insurance Card (EU-card), otherwise, the patient will be charged in full. The EU card replaces the E-111 form and ensures the same rights. Citizens of other countries will be charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, IS-105 Reykjavík
Tel.: +354-560-4400/560-4460.

Office hours: 08:05–15:30.

Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not required.

Tax-free shopping

A refund of local Value-Added Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland. The refund will reduce up to 15% off the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months of the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per store.

Public Holidays

Holiday	2025	2026	2027
New Year’s Day	Jan 1	Jan 1	Jan 1
Maundy Thursday	Apr 17	Apr 2	Mar 25
Good Friday	Apr 18	Apr 3	Mar 26
Easter Sunday	Apr 20	Apr 5	Mar 28
Easter Monday	Apr 21	Apr 6	Mar 29
First Day of Summer	Apr 24	Apr 23	Apr 22
Labour Day	May 1	May 1	May 1
Ascension Day	May 29	May 14	May 6
White Sunday	Jun 8	May 24	May 16
White Monday	Jun 9	May 25	May 17
National Day	Jun 17	Jun 17	Jun 17
Bank Holiday Monday	Aug 4	Aug 3	Aug 2
Christmas Eve	Dec 24	Dec 24	Dec 24
Christmas Day	Dec 25	Dec 25	Dec 25

Midnight Sun

During summer the nights are bright all over Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. Bear in mind, however, that the sun at midnight is not as warm as at midday, so bring along a sweater.

Currency Exchange

The Icelandic monetary unit is the króna. Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10 kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Banknotes are in denominations of 10000 kr, 5000 kr., 2000 kr., 1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.

Telephone

Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The code for Iceland from overseas is +354 + seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialing 00 plus the country code, and the telephone number you wish to reach.

Mobile phones– Gsm: There are four GSM operators in Iceland: Siminn, Vodafone, TAL, and Nova. These telephone companies all sell pre-paid GSM phone cards and offer GSM/GPRS services. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country

Before departure to Iceland

For information on passport and visa requirements as well as the Schengen area regulations, please view the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration: www.utl.is.

Electric Current

The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 Hz AC

Visitors with disabilities

Visitors with disabilities can make traveling in Iceland fairly easy by planning their vacation in advance. They may also find it necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance.

The coastal ferry Herjólfur is accessible to people with disabilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travelers with disabilities. A few domestic buses equipped for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request. For accessible hotels and tourist attractions, see www.sjalfsbjorg.is

Arrival in Seyðisfjörður

From Seydisfjordur it is easy to take a bus to all major destinations in Iceland. The trip from Seydisfjordur to Reykjavík takes about 8–9 hours and from Seydisfjordur to Akureyri about 5–6 hours. For more information contact:

tel.: +354-472-1551, website: www.sfk.is

Keflavik International AirportAirport Buses:

A service is operated between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport. Buses leave Reykjavík from the BSÍ bus terminal 2.5 hours before flight departure. The drive from the airport to Reykjavík takes about 40-50 minutes.

LGBTQ safety

Iceland is exceptionally safe and higly welcoming for LGBTQ+ individuals. Iceland has laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage (since 2010), equal adoption rights (since 2006), and progressive gender identity laws. Iceland consistently ranks among the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries globally due to strong legal protections, high societal acceptance, and a visible culture of inclusivity.

Credit card payments

Credit and debit cards are used for the majority of transactions, large and small, making Iceland a largely cash-free society. Most card transactions (>7500 ISK) require you to enter a PIN, so be sure to contact your bank to get one for your card before traveling.

Be aware that American Express and Discover cards are rarely accepted, so rely on Visa and Mastercard, and always have your card's PIN available

Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely accepted around the country.

Taxi Services

Taxis are widely available in the Reykjavík capital area and at Keflavík International Airport, but services are more limited in rural areas and smaller towns, including parts of South Iceland. Outside the capital, taxi companies are often small and may operate with reduced hours, so it is important to book in advance, especially in the evenings, early mornings and during winter.

Taxis generally use a meter and accept debit and credit cards, but longer journeys can be expensive, so it is a good idea to ask for an estimated price before you travel.

If you need a taxi in South Iceland, we recommend asking your accommodation or tour operator to help you arrange one.