Iceland is open!
Travel is our passion – and that’s why we continue to do it. Through travel we connect people and places, and connections are more important now than ever.
We at Icelandair can't wait to welcome you back when you're ready. Before you book your ticket to Iceland, here's snapshot of current travel restrictions.
Travel restrictions
From Europe: Borders reopened on June 15 to visitors holding passports (or valid residency) from EU/EFTA countries and UK. Arrivals must choose between undergoing a COVID test upon arrival, or entering two-week quarantine.
From North America: Travel restrictions remain in place until further notice for holders of passports from the US and Canada, as well as other non-EU/EFTA countries.
Here's what you need to know about visiting Iceland this summer.
Iceland travel restrictions
From Europe: Borders reopened on June 15 to visitors from within the Schengen area and the UK.
From USA and Canada: The EU has delayed the opening of external Schengen borders until further notice, therefore we are unable to welcome holders of passports from the US and Canada, as well as other non-EU/EFTA countries.
Flight schedule
Icelandair has a schedule in place for July.
Europe: We offer regular flights to and from Amsterdam, Berlin, Billund, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Helsinki, London Heathrow, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Zurich.
North America: We offer flights to and from Boston and Seattle, with the network expanding to New York and Toronto from July 20.
Our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers and crew. Read about our safety measures – at the airport and on board – on our Safe travels - shared responsibility page.
In an attempt to control the outbreak and minimize the strain on the healthcare system, Iceland implemented various testing and tracing measures, together with social gathering bans and social distancing measures.
The Icelandic approach has been hailed as a success. Due to the low number of new COVID-19 infections in May, gathering restrictions were eased, and most businesses have reopened.
We understand the need for reassurance, so we encourage you to read more about the current situation in Iceland:
- view the statistics for COVID-19 in Iceland in English at covid.is.
- Iceland's reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely covered in the international media.
- Iceland now feels like the coronavirus never happened - a report from CNN, 19 June
As countries open up again, travel restrictions are fast-changing. Travelers should look into the current rules that apply to them for the destination they wish to visit (for example, requirements for a COVID test or possible quarantine, what documentation is required), and also for rules that apply to their return trip (for example, the need to quarantine after returning home).
Iceland travel restrictions
From Europe: Borders reopened on June 15 to visitors from within the Schengen area and the UK.
From USA and Canada: The EU has delayed the opening of external Schengen borders until further notice, therefore we are currently unable to welcome holders of passports from the US and Canada, as well as other non-EU/EFTA countries.
Official resources
Government of Iceland: Information for travellers arriving in Iceland from 15 June 2020
Covid.is - Tourists travelling to Iceland
Keflavik airport - measures related to COVID-19 at Keflavik airport
IATA’s Interactive Coronavirus (Covid-19) Travel Regulations Map
Passengers arriving in Iceland can choose one of the following options:
- be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. On July 3, Icelandic authorities decided that Icelandic nationals and people with permanent residence in Iceland will be required to take a second test 4-5 days after arrival in the country, and stay in quarantine from arrival until the results of the second test are delivered. These rules will come into effect no later than July 13.
- go into 14-day quarantine.
A single test at pre-registration costs 9,000 ISK, but 11,000 ISK if paid on arrival (although no more than 22,000 ISK every 30 days for each individual). Children born 2005 or later will be exempt from the test.
Note: there is not an option to bring a test result from your home country to be exempt from testing upon arrival in Iceland.
Travelers to Iceland are required to fill out a pre-registration form before their arrival in the country.
Detailed, up-to-date information regarding the testing policy can be found online at the official COVID-19 site published by the Icelandic authorities. Also a useful source of information is the FAQ page of the official COVID-19 site.
* Quarantine exemptions
Flight crews and cargo crews are not required to go into quarantine.
As of May 15, 2020, passengers from Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not required to go into quarantine or be tested upon arrival.
Certain traveler groups may be exempt from home quarantine or eligible for modified quarantine. For more detailed information on who can apply for modified quarantine, please visit the website for the Directorate of Health.
Passengers arriving in Iceland can choose one of the following options:
- be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. On July 3, Icelandic authorities decided that Icelandic nationals and people with permanent residence in Iceland will be required to take a second test 4-5 days after arrival in the country, and stay in quarantine from arrival until the results of the second test are delivered. These rules will come into effect no later than July 13.
- go into 14-day quarantine.
A single test at pre-registration costs 9,000 ISK, but 11,000 ISK if paid on arrival (although no more than 22,000 ISK every 30 days for each individual). Children born 2005 or later will be exempt from the test.
Note: there is not an option to bring a test result from your home country to be exempt from testing upon arrival in Iceland.
Travelers to Iceland are required to fill out a pre-registration form before their arrival in the country.
Detailed, up-to-date information regarding the testing policy can be found online at the official COVID-19 site published by the Icelandic authorities. Also a useful source of information is the FAQ page of the official COVID-19 site.
Checklist: We have put together a ready to fly checklist for passengers.
Register: If you're visiting Iceland, it is important to fill in a registration form before you arrive. Here you will need to enter your personal details, contact information and travel plans, and select your preference for COVID testing or quarantine.
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.
covid.is - all information, developments, and advice about Iceland and COVID-19 can be found at the official website maintained by Iceland's Directorate of Health and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
Government.is - the Icelandic government posts news related to border restrictions and entry regulations
Icelandair.com - up-to-date information on our flight schedule, safety measures, and
Iceland is open! Restrictions on gatherings at public events are in place, however - the latest details are online at covid.is.
Otherwise, life is almost back to normal. New guidelines for hygiene and social distancing are adhered to, and preventative measures are followed regarding cleaning and sanitation. Read more at covid.is.
Face masks are required on board aircraft. In public spaces in Iceland, there is no rule that face masks must be worn.
Iceland is open! Its wide open spaces and unspoiled nature are here waiting for you.
Life here is almost back to normal. Stores, restaurants, cafes and museums are open once again. Gyms and swimming pools have reopened. Nightclubs and bars have reopened, with a closing time of 11pm.
Tourist websites outline what is open (restaurants, museums, attractions), and the kinds of information you need to know. Facebook pages for local businesses are also very useful.
The opening hours of restaurants and shops have been limited due to the reduction in the number of flights.
In the main shopping area, the Duty Free Store and Mathús (House of Food, self-service restaurant) are always open when flights are on schedule.
More information is available on the Keflavík airport website.
Bus transfers connecting Keflavík airport and Reykjavík are now operating to meet scheduled flights. See the websites of Flybus and Airport Direct for details.
Bus transfers connecting Keflavík airport and Reykjavík are now operating to meet scheduled flights. See the websites of Flybus and Airport Direct for details.
As countries open up again, travel restrictions are fast-changing. We recommend that travelers look into the up-to-date rules that apply to their trip, such as the need to quarantine after returning home.