Travel insurance is not necessary to enter Iceland, however it is strongly advised.
Because your trip to Iceland has been planned and is something you’ve been looking forward to, it’s a good idea to obtain travel insurance in case of unforeseenand costlyevents.
Does Iceland have free healthcare for tourists?
Iceland, ahead of Canada, Germany, and Sweden, is the top destination country for expats, according to a 2019 survey.
What draws so many people to this small island just south of the Arctic Circle? It is one of the wealthiest countries in the planet, with a high level of living. It is not only prosperous, but also not as frigid as you might anticipate. The mild Atlantic currents known as the Gulf Stream, which originate off the coast of Florida, give Iceland a more moderate climate than Scandinavia.
For nature lovers, the Northern Lights, glaciers, volcanoes, and rocky terrain present an unusual landscape.
However, before you go out and purchase a new parka and move to Iceland, keep in mind that you’ll need expat medical insurance to cover all of your medical needs while you’re there.
Icelandic Public Healthcare System A Benchmark for Every Developed Nation
The Icelandic Public Healthcare System is managed by the Department of Welfare. The government contributes 85 percent, with the remaining funding coming from the system’s medical costs.
It’s fairly similar to the approach used in other northern European countries, with the exception that the system is extraordinarily well supported, thanks to a small population and a huge per capita GDP.
There are seven healthcare regions, each with approximately 60 primary healthcare centers (heilsugslustö). There are two big hospitals in Iceland, one in Reykjavik and the other in Akureyri.
Aside from them, there are a number of smaller hospitals strewn across the country.
Iceland’s healthcare system was named eighth best in Europe in 2015 by the Euro Health Consumer Index. Every citizen and long-term resident in the area is required to register with a local GP (General Practitioner). Primary healthcare is provided 24 hours a day, unlike in some other countries, and you do not need to visit an emergency room late at night if you become unwell. The fees for GP visits must be paid directly.
If your primary care physician refers you to a specialist, you should go to the nearest general hospital. If you require additional assistance, you should go to one of the two specialty hospitals in Reykjavik or Akureyri.
The cost of inpatient treatment is nothing. If they are accepted to hospitals, the universal healthcare system gives free healthcare to everyone, including the unemployed, elderly, and otherwise handicapped.
To meet the increased need for beds, new hospitals are being developed at Mosfellsbaer and Reykjanesbaer.
Is Iceland’s Public Healthcare System Holding Up?
The Icelandic healthcare system, despite being well-funded and capable of meeting all standards to be world-class, has a fatal flaw: a shortage of doctors.
There are no medical training facilities in Iceland, and doctors who work here are trained in Europe at the expense of the government. As a result, the country is lacking in specialists.
Because medical diagnoses are rarely precise, and knowledge is usually institutionalized and passed down via generations of professionals. There aren’t many dermatologists in Iceland who can help you if you need a second or third opinion about, say, a difficult case of psoriasis that won’t go away with steroid cream. The same can be said about other specializations.
Iceland Expat Medical Insurance Defray Expenses with No Worry
Private healthcare in Iceland is non-existent. That’s understandable, given the population’s inability to support profitable activities. However, Iceland’s public healthcare system is not entirely free. It is necessary to pay for outpatient treatment. Medication is subsidized but not provided free of charge.
That is why, before you go, you should think consider purchasing expatriate medical insurance.
What characteristics should you look for in such a policy? Let’s take a closer look.
Deductibles
A hospital’s overall fee is made up of numerous components: bed charges, OT hire expenses, physicians’ fees, nurses’ fees, administration, medication, and so on. One example is single-use disposable devices like injectable syringes and IV lines. A few private medical insurance organizations do not cover the cost of these disposables. Although it may not seem like much for a week’s stay, you’ll need it if you’re in the hospital for longer. As a result, choose an insurance with a high deductible.
Co-payment
Some people become hypochondriacs as a result of medical insurance. Due to the fact that all expenses are covered, many citizens prefer to get regular checkups. Co-payments have been established by insurance providers to keep premiums low. This is a scheme in which the patient and the insurer split the bill. After deductibles, the typical share paid by the patient is 10% to 30% of the net bill.
The lower the co-pay percentage, the more beneficial it is for you. A $100,000 expenditure could result in a $30,000 payment if you choose a less thoughtful plan. It is feasible to haggle a good deal. In countries with robust public healthcare, such as Iceland, insurers are required to pay a lower copay.
Translation
Reykjavik to Paris or London is a long flight. How do you know if you need to take a few days off work to see a doctor outside of Iceland? Of course, it’s from your medical report. However, you will not be able to comprehend the local dialect, as English is not widely spoken in Iceland. The only other alternative is to have translation services covered by medical insurance, allowing you to make an informed decision.
This is usually an add-on rider for most insurance contracts. A few additional money, on the other hand, could help you avoid a long travel and sick leave.
Be Your Best Self with Expat Medical Insurance
If you’re packing your belongings and applying for a visa, there’s no need to shudder at the prospect of purchasing expat health insurance.
Utilize our services and purchase the most cost-effective plans with a single mouse click. We make it easier to identify relevant expat insurance products and then objectively compare them.
When you combine our dependable customer service with our location at the top of the world, near to the Arctic Circle, you’ll never have to worry about your health.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended to be a general overview of perks and services and is provided solely for educational purposes. The data does not include all possible scenarios, coverages, or exclusions under any insurance policy. An insurance plan’s benefits and services are susceptible to change. This is not your insurance policy or certificate. In the event of a conflict between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the policy/certificate wording will take precedence.
Does European health card cover Iceland?
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows EU citizens and residents to get state-provided healthcare in any other EU country, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
In terms of state-provided health insurance, an EHIC binds you to the same criteria as citizens of an EU country. This may imply that you are entitled to free medical care.
The UK introduced its own version of the EHIC card, the Global Health Insurance Card, after Brexit (GHIC). This card works in the same way as the previous one, giving British citizens access to state-run healthcare while visiting the EU.
Neither the EHIC nor the GHIC can be used for planned medical care in the EU and are not a substitute for travel insurance.
Do I need winter sports cover for Iceland?
Many visitors to Iceland are eager to participate in outdoor activities because of the country’s distinctive and magnificent wilderness.
While calmer sports like hill walking, camping, and swimming are usually covered by most policies, anything more intense would require specialized insurance.
Winter sports
You’ll need winter sports insurance if you’re going skiing, snowboarding, ice diving, skating, or tobogganing in Iceland.
The most important factor is medical bills. Look for a minimum of £5 million in coverage, as well as helicopter rescue and repatriation.
Pista closures, transport disruptions, and weather concerns can all delay your winter sports vacation, so make sure you’re covered.
Consider purchasing coverage for your ski pass and ski equipment in the event of loss, theft, or damage, and if you’re renting equipment, be sure it’s covered as well.
If you go off-piste skiing, your insurance may be invalidated, so seek specialist insurance before you leave.
Always remember to wear a safety helmet for your own safety and to keep your insurance current.
Extreme sports
Check your insurance policy to see if it covers extreme sports like hang gliding, white water rafting, and rock climbing; you may need to get additional coverage or a different policy.
Check your policy wording to see if horseback riding is considered an extreme sport by your insurer.
Can I travel without travel insurance?
Tired of having to pay an insurance premium before you travel? You are not obligated to do so. Without travel insurance, you can travel anywhere in the world. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t. If something goes wrong and you don’t have travel insurance, you might be out of money for anything from a few pounds if you lose your passport to hundreds of thousands of pounds if you need medical treatment on foreign soil. Oh, and your bank account’s travel policy is probably not as watertight as you thought.
It is not illegal to travel without insurance. You won’t get kicked out of your tavern because of it. However, it may be pricey. It all relies on whether you’re willing to risk your savings and how much you can afford to lose. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
How much does a doctor visit cost in Iceland?
The quality of medical care is excellent, and doctors and medical-clinic employees speak English fluently. Outside of the bigger urban regions, however, services are limited.
Pharmacists can provide important advice and over-the-counter medication for minor ailments; pharmacies are identifiable by the sign apótek. Pharmacists can also assist you decide when you need more specialized help.
A primary health-care center, known as a heilsugslustö, can provide medical assistance. www.heilsugaeslan.is has information on centers in the greater Reykjavik area; in regional locations, ask a tourist office or your lodging for assistance on the nearest health-care center.
To get health treatment, citizens of Nordic nations merely need to show their passport. On presentation of a European Health Insurance Card, citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) are insured for emergency medical treatment (EHIC). Apply for a card on the website of your government’s health department. The same fee is levied to EHIC holders as it is to natives.
Medical help is available to citizens of other nations, but they must pay in full (and later be reimbursed by their insurance provider, if they have one). A typical consultation will set you back roughly 10,000kr. It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Visit www.sjukra.is/english/tourists for more information on visitor health care.
Is healthcare expensive in Iceland?
Iceland’s healthcare system is universal. The Ministry of Health administers the healthcare system, which is mostly funded by taxes (84%) and to a lesser extent by service fees (16%).
Can you visit Iceland if you’re vaccinated?
sland.is provides a brief online guide that is suited to your individual situation and walks you through the restrictions that apply when visiting Iceland (your vaccination status, nationality, etc).
Travelers from Southern Africa
Passengers who have spent more than 24 hours in a recognized high-risk zone in the last 14 days, regardless of vaccination status or prior COVID-19 infection, will be subject to new guidelines beginning November 27, 2021. Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have been designated as high-risk zones. The new guidelines can be found on the Icelandic government’s website.
Passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it
All visitors regardless of nationality* are welcome to visit Iceland if they can demonstrate one of the following:
- a certificate stating that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID. On the official Directorate of Health page, you may find out what immunization certificates are accepted.
- COVID infection certificate from a previous infection On the official Directorate of Health page, you may find out what certificates are accepted.
* Foreign nationals who need a visa to visit Iceland must still meet this criteria. On the Directorate of Immigration’s website, you may get a list of who need a visa.
Passengers not vaccinated against COVID-19 and not previously infected
All arriving travelers who do not have a certificate of immunization or have had a prior infection are subject to testing and quarantine. Some nationalities are subject to restrictions.
The list of non-EEA/EFTA countries allowed to enter Iceland is subject to change at any time, so keep checking the official website for the most up-to-date information: Regarding COVID-19-related travel restrictions to Iceland (see #8 on this page under ‘Travel restrictions do not apply to:’).
Visitors from Europe are welcome to visit Iceland if they have a passport (or a valid residency) from an EEA/EFTA country (EU member states plus Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
Due to the Brexit Separation Agreement, entrance requirements for British people entering Iceland will change beginning January 1, 2021. Please visit the official websites of the Icelandic Police and the Directorate of Immigration for more information.
Visitors from the United States who are unvaccinated (and have not previously been infected) are not permitted to visit Iceland (with some exceptions for essential travel and relatives of EEA/EFTA citizens).
Visitors from Canada who are unvaccinated (and have never been infected) are not authorized to visit Iceland (with the exception of essential travel and relatives of EEA/EFTA citizens).
From other nations: For inhabitants of various non-EEA/EFTA countries, restrictions have been relaxed. For the most up-to-date information, see the official website: Regarding COVID-19-related travel restrictions to Iceland (see #8 on this page under ‘Travel restrictions do not apply to:’),
Is EHIC valid after Brexit?
Yes, you can continue to use an EHIC issued in the United Kingdom after Brexit. If you currently have an EHIC and are traveling on a temporary visit to an EU country for example, for a holiday, education, or job you can use it to receive state healthcare until your EHIC expires. On the front of the card, in the lower right corner, is the expiration date.
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is the post-Brexit alternative for the EHIC, while new EHICs are still being granted for a few groups. If you live in the UK and are not covered by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you should apply for a GHIC when your EHIC expires.
How long does a EHIC card last?
If you’re a UK citizen residing in the UK and already have an EHIC, you can use it in the EU until it expires, which could be years away (cards are valid for five years when issued). Check your EHIC expiry date using the instructions below.
What is the Iceland currency?
Currency. The Icelandic Krone (pronounced “krona”) is the country’s currency. Credit and debit cards such as Euro/Mastercard and Visa are frequently accepted. It is simple to withdraw cash from ATMs in larger cities and airports (cash machines).