Yes, it is correct. Despite the fact that Iceland is neither a part of the main European continental landmass or a member of the European Union (EU), it is classified as such for the purposes of travel insurance.
Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which has a number of advantages for British citizens:
If you have a valid EHIC/GHIC card, you have some access to state-provided healthcare (but this isn’t a substitute for travel insurance).
What insurance do you need for Iceland?
Your U.S. medical health care plan is likely to have limited or no coverage when you travel outside of the United States and its territories. Seniors should be aware that Medicare does not cover medical care received outside of the United States.
When visiting Iceland, or any other foreign nation, it is critical to have travel insurance that includes travel health insurance.
Many tourists rent automobiles in Iceland, according to Scott Adamski of AIG Travel, although the countryside can be dangerous to drive due to the steep landscape. If you’re in a car accident and need to be treated for an injury, your travel insurance will cover doctor visits, medicines, and diagnostic testing.
Iceland’s rural districts provide expansive scenery and breathtaking views. “In this country, horseback riding is also highly popular, and accidents do happen,” Adamski explains. Your travel insurance company can arrange medical transport from the remote area to a hospital that can treat you if you fall from a horse during an adventure and the trails are quite a way from a trauma unit.
You might be responsible for thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses if you don’t have both medical expense and emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Do I need an EHIC card for Iceland?
Check the TravelHealthPro website at least 8 weeks before your journey for the most up-to-date country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). Each country-specific page includes vaccine recommendations, current health hazards or outbreaks, and factsheets on remaining healthy while traveling. NHS (Scotland) advice is also accessible on the FitForTravel website.
The NHS website has general information on travel vaccines as well as a travel health checklist.
You might then want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other precautions to take and how to manage any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re away.
While traveling can be enjoyable, it can also be difficult at times. Because there are definite ties between emotional and physical health, it is critical to take care of oneself while traveling and while abroad. Our guide page has information about traveling with mental health concerns. The National Travel Health Network and Centre can also provide additional information (NaTHNaC).
Healthcare
You should purchase adequate travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and related expenditures.
Most people cannot seek medical treatment in Iceland using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) issued in the United Kingdom. Check to see if your card is still valid.
If you’re a resident of Iceland, our Living In Iceland guide has more information about healthcare for locals.
If you require immediate medical care while traveling, contact 112 and request an ambulance. If you are directed to a medical facility for treatment, contact your insurance or medical aid provider right away.
Which countries are covered by worldwide travel insurance?
When it comes to international travel insurance, it’s necessary to understand how different destinations are classified to make the insurance bands easier to comprehend:
This means that any trip outside of areas 1 (UK travel insurance) or 2 (European cover) will necessitate a worldwide travel insurance policy, of which there are several sorts to suit various destinations. It also means that different levels of global coverage are priced differently.
If you’re not sure which nations you’ll visit on your trip, such as if you’re intending on hopping from country to country based on your whims, it’s better to purchase a complete worldwide travel insurance coverage that includes area 5, ensuring that no country is left out.
* For visits inside Area 1, the distance between your house and your pre-arranged and booked lodging must be at least 25 miles.
**Europe – Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azores, Balearic Islands, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Corsica, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Lapland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro
*** Caribbean – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands (British) (US).
Does worldwide travel insurance cover Europe?
Whether you require single trip or annual coverage, worldwide travel insurance will cover you practically anywhere in the world.
There are two types of worldwide travel insurance policies: those that cover the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, and those that do not.
Because healthcare in these nations is typically more expensive than elsewhere in the world, insurance that cover the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean will be more costly.
Is Iceland in the EU?
European Economic Area (EEA) ( EEA ) The European Economic Area (EEA) includes EU members as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the EEA, but it is a member of the single market.
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 reason 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.
How does insurance work in Iceland?
Icelandic inhabitants are automatically insured by the Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjkratryggingar slands), which is subsidized. The Icelandic Health Insurance system covers everyone who has lawfully resided in Iceland for at least six months. You can apply for the transfer between insurance systems to take effect after your legal residence has been recognized in Iceland if you are a citizen of a nation that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and are registered in that system. This is something you can apply for at Icelandic Health Insurance.
In your home country, you may be able to apply for insurance ahead of time. Bring forms E-104 or S041 from the nation you’re leaving to show you were insured there for less than two months before registering your residence in Iceland. Icelandic Health Insurance can request these forms if your country does not provide them to individuals.
If you are not a European citizen, you will be required to obtain supplemental insurance for the six months prior to becoming a member of the healthcare system. If you are relocating to Iceland from another Nordic nation, you can apply for Icelandic Health Insurance on the day your legal residence in Iceland is registered.
Can I use my European health Card in 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 travel insurance to go to Iceland?
Yes, while it is not required, purchasing travel insurance for your trip to Iceland is highly advised.
While an EHIC card gives you access to some state medical care, it does not cover transportation home in an emergency. You’ll also require coverage in the event of misplaced luggage, flight disruptions, or even theft. Although Iceland’s crime rate is low, petty crime and larceny can occur anywhere, particularly in urban areas.
Things have also altered since Brexit, when the UK officially exited the EU with an agreement in place. You will no longer be able to apply for an EHIC, but if you already have one that was issued before the end of 2020, it will be valid until the expiration date.
The UK government, on the other hand, has produced a successor known as the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can apply for a GHIC here if you don’t have an EHIC or if yours has expired. It should arrive within 10 days. In EU countries, the GHIC will provide the same coverage as the EHIC.
Extreme weather is common in Iceland, and much of the nation is remote. Storms and other disruptions can easily cause your plans to be altered. Travel insurance is designed to provide you peace of mind by allowing you to recover back unexpected costs.