Things to check before travelling to Iceland

Passports and Visas
A valid passport is necessary for most travellers to Iceland, except Danish, Faeroese, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish nationals arriving from one of the other Nordic countries.
Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using national identity-cards: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Citizens of the EU and EEA countries do not need a visa, nor are visas required for citizens of the following countries if the stay is under 3 months:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Nationals of all other countries require visas issued by an Icelandic embassy or consulate, and it is advisable to apply for visas well before the intended day of travel.

Reservations
If you are planning your own trip to Iceland during the summer season (June through August) you are well-advised to make prior reservations for both international and domestic flights. Hotels and other accommodation get booked up early in Iceland so its particularly recommended to book these well in advance. This may be done either by mail, fax or e-mail, using the addresses given on these pages, or by contacting your nearest tourism office.

Weather and Clothing
Iceland enjoys a cool but temperate ocean climate, thanks to the warm waters brought by the Gulf Stream. The summers are cool and the winters are fairly mild. On the other hand, the weather is very unpredictable and travellers should be prepared for every kind of weather.
The January temperature in Reykjavík is -0.5 Celsius on average and 10,6 Celsius on average in July. Precipitation levels in Reykjavík for the same months are 75,6 mm and 51,8 mm respectively.
The most basic and necessary clothing items, regardless of the time of year, are a sweater, a waterproof windbreaker and sturdy shoes. Swimwear should be brought along as swimming is a favourite Icelandic leisure and sport activity all year around. There are warm, open-air pools and whirlpools all over the country. Travellers who plan to camp or head into the interior will need warm underclothes and socks, lightweight supplies and a thermal sleeping-bag.

Health Inoculations / Vaccinations
No special health inoculations or vaccinations are required or recommended for visitors to Iceland. However, people arriving from or transiting through areas in which certain diseases are prevalent (such as smallpox, yellow fever and cholera) may need proof of vaccination before they can enter the country.

Health Insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia must have medical insurance and a valid passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have with them the new European Health Insurance Card which can be easily applied for online. Failing this, patients will be charged in full. Similarly, citizens of other countries must show proof of valid medical insurance, otherwise they will be charged in full. For further information on medical insurance contact the Icelandic Embassy or Consulate in your country.

For health and other reasons, it is illegal to bring into Iceland any of the following; live animals and birds, uncooked meat and meat products, eggs and other poultry products, butter, medicines (except small amounts for personal use) and, of course, narcotics, poisons, firearms and ammunition. It is also prohibited to bring in fishing equipment (including wades and rubber boots) which have been used while angling abroad. For those bringing their own fishing gear a valid certificate of disinfection from an authorised veterinary officer must be shown upon entering the country. Alternatively, fishing gear can be disinfected at Keflavík International Airport.

Pets
Should you want to take an animal with you to Iceland, you are required to present a permit issued by the Icelandic Veterinary Field Services. The animal must then spend at least four months in quarantine in Iceland. For further information please contact the nearest Icelandic Embassy or Consulate.

Facilities for the Disabled
Disabled visitors will find travelling in Iceland fairly easy if they plan their vacation carefully. They may, however, find it necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to the disabled, they do not always provide full assistance. A number of hotels in Reykjavík and Akureyri have rooms specially-designed for disabled guests. A list of hotels accessible to disabled visitors is included in a leaflet published by the Icelandic Hotel and Restaurant Association, entitled Hotels and Guesthouses. Larger department stores are generally accessible to wheelchair users. A coastal ferry (Baldur) is accessible to the disabled and the ferry Herjólfur also has excellent facilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate disabled travellers. A few domestic buses equipped for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request. For further information please contact the Icelandic Tourist Board, Tel: +354-552-7488 or Tourist Information Centres.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance should be taken out before departure from your country.

Electricity
Electricity in Iceland is 220 volt, 50 Hz, AC. Iceland uses European two-pronged plugs.