Iceland Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | See below | No | No |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
Passports
Iceland is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it is a member of the Schengen Agreement and a member of the Nordic Passport Union. This means that Iceland allows free movement of EU nationals for up to 90 days (unless one has registered one's domicile in Iceland), but it allows free movement of Nordic nationals without restrictions.
EU and Nordic nationals: Technically you can enter Iceland without a passport, but transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will still require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.
Other nationals: You must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three months left, along with a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of stay.
Beware that EU members such as Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.
Passport Note
From November 2024, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will register all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals at all border crossings of the Schengen Area.
Visas
EU nationals: You don't need a visa for Iceland if your stay is less than 90 days. Those who plan to stay longer must register with Registers Iceland.
Nordic nationals: Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden can enter, live, study and work in Iceland without a visa or a residence permit.
Americans, Australians, British and Canadians can travel to Iceland, and any other Schengen countries, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events. For other purposes, you need to check with the Icelandic embassy in your home country on what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Iceland and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
• Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa.
• Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa.
• Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
• Vanuatu: holders of passports issued on or after 25 May 2015 do not need a visa.
• Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.
For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Iceland.
Types and Cost
• €90 for those who are 12 years old and above.
• €45 for children aged six to 11.
• Free for children below six.
Visa fees are waived for the following applicants:
• School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training.
• Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.
• Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
• Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.
Validity
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Transit
Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa exempt country, please check with an Icelandic consulate near you.
Application to
Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.
Schengen Visas
Although Iceland is not a member of the European Union, it is an associate member of the Schengen Agreement, so the Schengen visa scheme applies.
Temporary residence
EU nationals: Will need an appropriate permit for more than 90 days.
Nordic nationals: No restrictions.
Non-EU nationals: Will need a visa to stay in Iceland for more than 90 days.
Working days
Schengen visa applications usually take 15 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Iceland as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.
Sufficient Funds
Schengen visa applicants must be able to provide proof of funds to cover their stay.
Extension of stay
Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.
Entry with pets
When bringing a pet from another EU country, the animal must have a microchip or tattoo, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days prior to travel). Animals from outside the EU must also have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. Depending on whether your pet is from a high-rabies country or a rabies-controlled country, your pet either has to be vaccinated first or microchipped first. For pets from high-rabies countries, a rabies titer test also has to be administered 30 days after the vaccination. A veterinary certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian is also required when entering Iceland with a pet from outside of the EU.
Please check with the consulate directly for the appropriate procedures.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
