At a glance: Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and many other countries can visit Iceland visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date and issued within the last 10 years.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, a zone of 27 European countries with no internal border controls. This means a Schengen visa grants access to all member countries, and time spent anywhere in the Schengen Area counts toward your allowed stay. The maximum is 90 days within any 180-day period. If you spend 90 days in Schengen countries, you must wait another 90 days before re-entering, regardless of which country you visited.
Citizens of many countries can visit Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days. This includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, and most of Europe. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration maintains the complete list at island.is.
Your passport must meet three requirements: valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, issued within the past ten years, and have at least two blank pages for stamps. For example, if you plan to leave Iceland on June 15, your passport must be valid until at least September 15. Citizens of EU and EEA countries can enter with a valid national ID card instead of a passport.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list must apply for a Schengen Visa (Type C) before traveling. Apply at the Icelandic Embassy in your country or a designated visa center. Required documents typically include:
- Completed application form
- Passport-sized photos
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage
- Proof of accommodation
- Flight itinerary
- Proof of financial means
- Documentation of employment or education
Processing usually takes 15 calendar days but can extend during peak seasons. The fee is approximately €80 for adults. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your intended travel date.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required for visa-exempt travelers starting in 2025. This online authorization, similar to the US ESTA, will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. The fee is €7, with exemptions for those under 18 and over 70. The application process is online and typically approved within minutes.
At the Border
Even visa-free travelers should be prepared to show:
- Valid passport meeting the requirements above
- Return ticket or proof of onward travel
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (credit cards or bank statements)
- Travel insurance
While there is no official minimum amount required, be prepared to demonstrate you can support yourself. A general guideline is 50 to 100 euros per day of stay.
Travel insurance, while not strictly required for all visa-free visitors, is highly recommended. Iceland is expensive, and medical care without insurance can cost thousands. Good policies cover medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and activity accidents.
Stays longer than 90 days require a residence permit applied for before arrival. This applies to work permits, study permits, family reunification, and other long-term stays. Visa-free entry does not permit working. Non-EU/EEA citizens need a work permit before arrival. EU/EEA citizens have the right to work without a permit.
Iceland doesn’t currently offer a specific digital nomad visa. Remote workers visiting must stay within the 90-day limit and are technically not supposed to be “working in Iceland.” Those seeking extended stays should consult immigration lawyers.
Travelers 18 and older can bring limited duty-free allowances: alcohol in certain combinations totaling roughly the equivalent of one liter of spirits plus wine and beer, 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products, and limited quantities of food for personal use. Fresh meat, most dairy, eggs, drugs without documentation, weapons without permits, and most plants and seeds are prohibited. There’s no limit on cash brought in, but amounts over €10,000 must be declared.
For questions, the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration can be reached at utl.is, utl@utl.is, or +354 444 0900. Find your nearest Icelandic embassy at government.is.
Visa requirements change. Always verify current rules with official sources before travel.
Contact us for assistance planning your Iceland trip.
