COVID-19 travel information
Through travel we connect people and places, and connections are more important now than ever. We know you have questions, so we’ve prepared a list of answers to help you plan.
Explore your options
Do you have a booking with us, or thinking about making one? Here’s what you need to know!
- Have an existing booking? Read up on your self-service options: you can change your dates, or cancel and request a Travel Credit Voucher.
- Wish to travel? Read our Safe travels information.
- Want to make a new booking? Read our peace of mind policy that guarantees flexibility.
For now, travel has changed, and we want to help you prepare for your upcoming flight. Here’s a handy checklist covering the important things you need to know before you take off:
- If you're visiting Iceland, pre-register online
- If you're visiting Iceland, ensure you have a negative PCR test before flying (unless exempt)
- Check entry requirements at your destination
- Ensure we have your correct contact details
- Bring a face mask
- Limit your carry-on
- Check airport website for terminal
- Bring something to eat (buy drinks after airport security screening)
- Bring your own headphones
- Download our app
- Do not travel if you are unwell
- Read our Safe Travels page
Visiting Iceland
From April 6, 2021, all travelers - regardless of origin - are welcome to visit Iceland if they can show either certificate of full vaccination against COVID, or certificate of previous COVID infection. This includes travelers from non-Schengen countries. Other Schengen passport-holders and residents are welcome, but must meet testing and quarantine requirements.
For up-to-date information about Iceland's travel restrictions, please read our blog post 'Visiting Iceland'.
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
From April 6, 2021, all travelers – regardless of origin – are welcome to visit Iceland if they can show either:
- certificate of full vaccination against COVID. Read what vaccination certificates are accepted on the official Directorate of Health page.
- certificate of previous COVID infection. Read what certificates are accepted on the official Directorate of Health page.
Please note: Iceland is welcoming vaccinated visitors from outside the Schengen zone, but further travel from Iceland to the rest of Europe is currently not permitted for non-Schengen residents.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
From Europe: There are no entry restrictions for visitors holding passports (or valid residency) from EU/EFTA countries.
From the UK: From January 1, 2021, there are changes to entry requirements for British citizens entering Iceland. For further information, please see the official websites of the Icelandic Police and the Directorate of Immigration.
From USA and Canada: External Schengen borders are closed to USA and Canada, therefore we are currently unable to welcome US or Canadian passport-holders who do not hold proof of vaccination or prior infection. Note that some exceptions apply for close family ties and for essential travel - read more at the official site: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
From other countries: Restrictions have been lifted for residents of some non-EEA and Schengen countries. The list of countries can change with relatively short notice, so please check the official website for up-to-date information: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
The countries (note this is not based on nationality, but on provable residency in the country in question):
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
If you hold an appropriate certificate showing vaccination or previous infection, you do not need to have a PCR test to board your flight to Iceland.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
You do need a negative PCR test.
From February 19, it is mandatory for passengers to show a certificate of negative PCR test before boarding an aircraft to Iceland, and also upon arrival in Iceland. The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure. Some exemptions apply (see below).
Note: the negative test requirement is in addition to the requirement for all arriving passengers to undergo double screening and quarantine (with some exemptions). More information is given below.
Icelandic citizens will not be denied boarding if they do not have a certificate of negative PCR test. They will not be denied entry to Iceland, but they do face possible fines upon arrival.
This requirement for a negative PCR test is in place until April 30. It is anticipated that a new system of border controls will be introduced from May 1 (see below for details).
Certificate of negative PCR test: requirements
Only certificates that are in Icelandic, English, Danish, Norwegian or Swedish are accepted. The certificate can be in electronic form. Requirements are outlined on the government website, covid.is.
The certificate must include:
- name and date of birth of the tested person
- date of test
- where test was performed (country, city, address)
- name and phone number of the laboratory/issuer of certificate
- date of certificate
- type of test performed (PCR test or antibody test with ELISA/serologic assay)
- result of test
Certificate exemptions
The following are exempt from requirements for a negative PCR test certificate before boarding:
- Children born 2005 or later
- Transit passengers who do not leave the terminal facilities
- Passengers who hold an appropriate certificate showing vaccination or previous infection
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
If you hold an appropriate certificate showing vaccination or previous infection, you are required to undergo one COVID-19 test upon arrival. The test is free of charge. You must wait for the result of this test (usually received within 5-6 hours but may take up to 24 hours) at your accommodation. You do not need to quarantine for 5-6 days and take a second test. Note: this testing requirement is temporary and will be reviewed by May 1.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
It is mandatory for these passengers to undergo a double COVID-testing procedure along with quarantine for 5-6 days when they arrive in Iceland.
The first COVID test is at the border on arrival and the second by the primary healthcare service 5-6 days later. In between the 2 tests, arrivals must go into quarantine.
The testing of travelers at the border is free of charge until further notice. There is also no charge for the second test.
Testing exemptions
Children born 2005 or later are required to undergo a test at the border, but they do not have to present a PCR test result to board the plane. They are only required to quarantine if they are traveling with parents or guardians who are also required to quarantine.
Transit passengers who do not leave the terminal facilities are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
Information for all passengers
All travelers to Iceland, regardless of age and what documents they can present, must fill out a pre-registration form before their arrival in the country.
Detailed, up-to-date information on the entry requirements can be found at the official COVID-19 site published by the Icelandic authorities.
Current entry regulations are in place until April 30. It is anticipated that a new system of border controls will be introduced from May 1 (see below for details).
Icelandair information
If you wish to change your booking, please visit the Change booking section of our website. If you wish to cancel your booking and apply for travel credit, you can do so online.
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
Vaccinated passengers and those with a previous COVID infection undergo a single test upon arrival. They are required to wait for the result of this test (usually received within 5-6 hours but may take up to 24 hours) at their accommodation. Passengers do not need to quarantine for 5-6 days and take a second test. Note: this testing requirement is temporary and will be reviewed by May 1.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
It is mandatory for these passengers to undergo a double COVID-testing procedure along with quarantine for 5-6 days.
From April 9, the Icelandic government has issued new rules for quarantine. Read the official government announcement.
Quarantine at your home or accommodation
Rules for home-based quarantine are outlined on the Directorate of Health's website. Useful information is also available on covid.is.
A list of accommodations that welcome guests in quarantine is available from the website of the Icelandic Tourist Board.
New measures include the requirement that arrivals must be isolated at their home or accommodation. if more individuals reside at the same location, they are subject to the same quarantine requirements as the arriving traveler.
As part of new measures, authorities are conducting increased checks on people in home-based quarantine, and there are stricter penalties for people found breaching the rules.
Government-run quarantine facilities
From April 9, arrivals who are unable to stay in a home quarantine that fulfils the government requirements are required to stay at a government-run quarantine facility. There is no cost for this stay.
Those who cannot quarantine at home and/or prefer to stay at a quarantine facility may also dwell there, free of charge.
Those staying at a quarantine facility will be able to undertake outdoor activities.
Read more about quarantine facilities in the official government announcement.
Key quarantine rules for travelers to Iceland
- You may take a walk in areas where few other people are present, but must stay at least 2 meters away from any other pedestrians.
- You must not have direct contact with persons not part of your own household. When in contact with persons in your household you should pay careful attention to hygiene and attempt to keep a distance of 1–2 meters at all times.
- You must not use public transport but use of taxis, rental cars and private vehicles is permitted.
- You must not go for a drive, unless when going from point of entry to your final place of quarantine, or when going to the second screening.
- You may not visit tourist attractions and may not drive long distances (for example between towns), except if necessary between the point of entry/exit at the border and the site of quarantine.
- You must not visit restaurants, bars, gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, attend public or private gatherings of any kind or size, or visit any place where crowds are likely.
- You must not enter grocery stores, pharmacies or other stores. Delivery services are available in some, but not all, towns.
- You must not attend school or work.
During the arrival quarantine period, passengers are not permitted to use public transport, which includes domestic flights.
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
Passengers undergoing a single test upon arrival are required to wait for a negative result (usually obtained within 5-6 hours but may take up to 24 hours) before continuing their travels. Note: this testing requirement is temporary and will be reviewed by May 1.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
For passengers undergoing double screening, quarantine is lifted after a negative result from the second COVID test, 5-6 days after arrival in Iceland.
Many countries now require passengers to present negative COVID-19 test results before their journey. The test results must be recent, taken within the last 72 or 24 hours, depending on the rules of each country.
Note that the following procedure applies to Iceland residents as well as to visitors to Iceland who require test results for travel purposes.
Appointment for a test
If you need a PCR test for your travels, plan your appointment accordingly so you receive the test certificate in time for your trip.
To get tested in the capital area, register online at travel.covid.is. Once ready, the certificate will be sent to your email address.
It is important to check whether authorities at your destination will accept an electronic certificate or require a printed one. SMS results are not accepted. Contact the nearest health clinic in Iceland to get a printed certificate for an extra fee. (Note: if you need testing on a weekend, please contact the clinic before the weekend.)
To get tested in the outside the capital area, contact the nearest testing center.
The test: You will be assigned a barcode for your test and a time to attend. Make sure to check the address and opening hours of the testing centers.
More details are available on covid.is.
On January 15, Icelandic authorities announced that border control measures will be cautiously lifted from May 1, taking into account the epidemiological situation abroad.
From May 1, Icelandic border controls will depend on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control color coding.
The 'traffic light' approach will be applied, with different requirements for arriving passengers from countries categorized as green, orange or red.
Passengers from low-risk countries will be exempt from quarantine and a second screening if they can provide proof of a negative PCR test prior to departure.
For arrivals from countries coded as red, the current arrangements will remain in place (2 tests upon arrival, with 5-6 days of quarantine between tests).
Passengers from orange and green countries will be allowed into Iceland with a negative COVID test performed before departure, and a single test upon arrival at the Icelandic border, with no quarantine or second test to follow.
Recovered COVID patients and the vaccinated will remain exempt from testing.
More information will be available on the official website, covid.is.
Checklist: We've put together a ready to fly checklist for passengers.
Documents: The Icelandic government has published a helpful list of the documents you need to be allowed entry into Iceland.
COVID-19 test: Check if you need a certificate of negative PCR test before boarding an aircraft to Iceland. The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure.
Pre-register: If you're visiting Iceland, it is important to fill in a pre-registration form before you arrive. Here you need to enter your personal details, contact information and travel plans. Please note, that this form cannot be submitted earlier than 72 hours before your arrival in Iceland.
Download app: Visitors are strongly encouraged to download and use the free, official COVID-19 tracing app Rakning C-19. The app contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the healthcare service in Iceland.
To learn more on the measures that Iceland is implementing to control COVID-19, please read our blog post Visiting Iceland.
We understand these are uncertain times, but we don't want you to stop making plans. If you are considering booking a new ticket, we offer you the peace of mind of being able to change your flight at a later date. See more details on how you can book now and change later.
You can use your Travel Credit Voucher when you book a new flight on our website. After adding the passenger information and selecting onboard services, a payment step will follow where you can add your voucher number. For more information, please read Terms and Conditions for Icelandair Travel Credit Vouchers.
- If your flight has been cancelled and you do not intend to travel, you can choose to receive a Travel Credit Voucher or a refund. We recommend that you use the link provided in the cancellation email we have sent you to submit your claim. If you have not received an email, you can request a Travel Credit Voucher or refund here on our website.
- If your flight has not been cancelled, but you would like to cancel yourself, you may cancel your booking and apply for a Travel Credit Voucher. For more information please visit the Cancel booking section of our website. If the Travel Credit Voucher does not suit your travel plans, you can request a refund. Please note that the refund amount depends on your ticket fare type, documented in the fare rules of your ticket. Should you wish to receive a refund, submit your request by filling out our contact form.
- We aim to process all refunds in a timely manner once we have received all the required information from our customers. However, given the unprecedented situation and the high number of requests we have received, considerable delays in the processing time of refunds can be expected. Please allow extra time for your refund request to be completed. We appreciate your continued understanding and patience.
- If time is a concern, we do wish to to recommend that it takes considerably less time to issue a Travel Credit Voucher, should you prefer that option.
If you’ve already applied for a refund but have yet to receive it, we kindly ask for your patience, as we are doing our best to resolve all incoming cases. Due to the extremely high volume of requests in this unprecedented situation, significant delays are expected.
We want to assure you that if you have a case open, there is no need to call us to check on the status of your case. We will get to it, and you will get your money back.
- Monitor your flight status in Manage booking.
- Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in Manage booking.
- If your flight is cancelled, you’ll receive an email with all relevant information.
- If you need to be rebooked to your final destination, please contact us by phone.
- Make sure to take a look at our Ready to fly checklist.
If you would like to change your booking, please visit the Change booking section of our website.
You may cancel your booking and apply for a Travel Credit Voucher. For more information please visit the Cancel booking section of our website.
If the Travel Credit Voucher does not suit your travel plans, you can also look into whether you are entitled to a refund, which you claim by filling out our contact form. The refund amount depends on your ticket fare type. Please refer to the fare rules of your ticket.
In order to find answers to your questions, please take a look at our guide to the Travel Credit Voucher.
We recommend that you stay up-to-date on the relevant information on our website, as we regularly update our flight schedule and our rebooking policies might change.
If you want to change or cancel a flight that the rebooking policy does not cover, the fare rules of your ticket will apply.
You can change your booking yourself online through Manage booking.
- If your flight is cancelled, you’ll receive an email with all relevant information.
- If you need to be rebooked to your final destination, please contact us by phone.
If your flight has been cancelled and you do not intend to travel, you can either get a Travel Credit Voucher or a refund. We recommend that you use the link provided in the email we have sent you to submit your claim. If you have not received an email, you can request travel credit or refund here on our website.
If the Travel Credit Voucher does not suit your travel plans, you can request a refund. Please note that the refund amount depends on your ticket fare type, documented in the fare rules of your ticket. Should you wish to receive a refund, submit your request by filling out our contact form.
We are experiencing high volumes to our service center at the current time.
As a result, our customers have a lengthy wait before an agent can answer their call. At the moment, we are focusing our resources to servicing customers with flights within the next 48 hours.
If you require assistance, please fill out our contact form or contact us by phone.
Yes, as of June 15, we require all our passengers and cabin crew to wear masks during boarding, throughout the entire duration of the flight, and when leaving the aircraft.
Children under the age of 2 are exempt from this requirement on flights to/from the USA. Children under the age of 10 are exempt from this requirement on flights to/from Europe and Canada.
We also recommend that you wear a mask during your time at the airport.
To learn more, please read our information about face masks.
We ask that passengers stay in their allocated seat as much as possible during the flight. By not moving around the cabin, contact between passengers is minimized.
Additionally, in the unlikely event the Icelandic government needs to trace the contacts of a passenger who tests positive for COVID-19, tracing is performed based on seat allocation.
From December 10, 2020, our regular carry-on baggage rules return (see the Baggage Allowance page for details). However, for your safety and convenience we recommend traveling with as little carry-on baggage as possible.
Passengers still have the option to check in approved carry-on baggage at no additional cost; please ask at the airport check-in desk or at the gate.
Yes. To minimize health risks to passengers and staff, we are taking the following proactive measures on our flights.
Changes to in-flight food and drink service
You are welcome to bring your own refreshments on board, but keep in mind that alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
We recommend you purchase drinks after passing through the airport security check, as 100mL limits still apply to liquids in hand luggage at the security screening.
Between Europe and Iceland:
- In Economy, passengers receive a bottle of water when boarding. We offer in-flight beverage service of complimentary coffee, tea, water, juice and soda. From March 16, light meals and snacks, wine and beer will be offered for purchase on board. All children between 2 and 11 years old receive a complimentary meal. Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver pre-purchased meals.
- In Saga Premium, passengers will receive a bottle of water when boarding. Meal service will be available with 1 choice of main course offered with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Please note that there is a limit of 2 alcoholic beverages per passenger.
Between North America and Iceland:
- In Economy, passengers receive a bottle of water when boarding. We offer in-flight beverage service of complimentary coffee, tea, water, juice and soda. From March 16, light meals and snacks, wine and beer will be offered for purchase on board. All children between 2 and 11 years old receive a complimentary meal. Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver pre-purchased meals.
- In Saga Premium, passengers will receive a bottle of water when boarding. Meal service will be available with 1 choice of main course offered with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Please note that there is a limit of 2 alcoholic beverages per passenger.
Changes to in-flight duty-free shopping
Saga Shop is temporarily unavailable on all flights.
Yes. Food service in the Saga Lounge has been limited to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff.
Fresh food items are no longer served, but drinks remain as normal. Snacks and candy are offered, and we recommend passengers take snacks with them from the Saga Lounge on their flight.
Passengers should also expect changes in the lounges that we partner with in destination airports. Some are either closed at the present time, or have limited service.
In March 2020, we introduced the Bonus Tier Credits to support Saga Club members, during the time of reduced travelling due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will continue this support until further notice. The amount of Bonus Tier Credits members will receive is the average number of Tier Credits they have earned for Icelandair flights over the last 12 months prior to March 2020. Please bear in mind that Tier Credits determine whether members are eligible for the status of Saga Silver or Saga Gold membership and that members earn them for flying Icelandair scheduled flights. If you have more questions, please read on.
Who is eligible for the Bonus Tier Credits?
All Saga Club members that have earned Tier Credits for an Icelandair scheduled flight over the last 12 months prior to March 2020 are eligible for the Bonus Tier Credit.
How much Bonus Tier Credits will I receive as a Saga Club member?
The amount of Bonus Tier Credits you will receive is the average number of Tier Credits you have earned for Icelandair scheduled flights in the last 12 months prior to March 2020.
When do I get the Bonus Tier Credits?
The Bonus Tier Credits will be automatically credited to your Saga Club account on the last day of the month.
If you've missed your flight due to the travel restrictions, please fill in our contact form (even if you have reached out to us on social media before) or contact us through phone.
Yes. At Icelandair, safety is always our number one priority – for our customers and our employees. Research has shown that the risk of communicable diseases being transmitted on board an aircraft is minimal. Our cleaning process is robust and we use disinfectants that have proven effective against viruses. Please be reassured that we have taken precautions.
Read more about our safety procedures.
Things change fast as airlines return to the skies, so we recommend travelers check airport websites for up-to-date information about departure and arrival terminals, and which airport services are open.
Due to the fast-changing nature of travel restrictions, we recommend confirming the latest entry requirements for your destination. You can do this on our COVID-19 entry requirements page.