Iceland Travel Advice & Safety

Updated:16 October 2025
Still Valid:Yes
Latest update:We continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) has started for all non-EU nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area. You’ll need to register at borders and have your fingerprint and photo taken. There may be longer border queues. There are volcanic eruptions occurring on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Southwest Iceland, near the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon. Avoid areas near the eruption site and areas close to mountains with steep slopes on the Reykjanes peninsula due to the danger of falling rocks. Further eruptions could happen at any time and without warning. Southern Iceland could be affected by potentially dangerous volcanic gas clouds, including Þorlákshöfn and Vestmannaeyjar. If you’re in an area affected by volcanic gas, monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.
 

We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Iceland.

Advice Levels

Level 1

Exercise normal safety precautions in Iceland.

Full Advice

  • A series of volcanic eruptions have occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula north of Grindavík. Strong earthquakes could happen before and after an eruption, leading to further volcanic eruptions without warning. Due to the danger of falling rocks, avoid areas near eruption sites and areas close to mountains with steep slopes. The area is also in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis are a threat in coastal areas. Monitor the local media for reports on volcanic and seismic activity and follow the advice of local authorities.
  • Clouds of volcanic gas could move across southern Iceland, which could bring dangerous gases to areas including Þorlákshöfn and Vestmannaeyjar. If you’re in areas affected by volcanic gas, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
  • Iceland’s climate is unpredictable. Iceland experiences snow, sand and ash storms. Check local sources for weather and updates about road closures and other disruptions.
  • Some places in the Arctic have no or limited mobile phone coverage. If you need help, you may have to wait a long time. If travelling on a ship, only book travel with companies that have onboard medical help.
  • Petty theft can happen. Gang-related activity can also occur. Pay close attention to your belongings and surroundings. 
  • The standard of health facilities and care is high. However, services can be limited in rural and remote areas.
  • Healthcare costs are expensive. You may need to be evacuated if you need treatment in remote areas. Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance.
  • Always carry an ID, such as your driver’s licence or a copy of your passport.
  • Penalties for drug offences are severe. Even possession of a small amount of drugs can attract heavy fines or jail sentences.
  • Penalties for driving infringements are severe and include heavy fines, jail and deportation in serious cases.
  • Iceland is a part of the Schengen area which means you can enter Iceland without a visa in some cases. In other situations, you’ll need a visa.
  • The new European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.
  • The international airport remains open after the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities on exclusion zones and road closures.
  • Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Iceland for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Depending on what you need, contact your:

  • family and friends
  • travel agent
  • insurance provider
  • employer
  • airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112 or go to a hospital.

Police

Call 112 or go to the local police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Emergency app

The 112 Iceland app from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) helps in an emergency.

To call for help, press the red ‘Emergency’ button. This will send your location by text message to the 112 response centre. The green ‘Check In’ button tells ICE-SAR your location.

For non-emergency medical help in the Reykjavik metropolitan area, call:

  • +354 544 4114 during business hours
  • +354 544 1770 outside of business hours