Restrictions eased on May 1st for international arrivals to Iceland

(Updated Jan 18th, 2021)

Travelers with valid documentation, proving prior infection or vaccination, will be exempt from quarantine and PCR tests

With global vaccinations underway, the Icelandic government has announced steps to ease restrictions and make international travel to Iceland easier.

From May 1st, arriving passengers who are in possession of valid documentation that proves prior infection or vaccination against covid-19 are exempt from all border measures.

Thus, travelers with valid documentation will not have to undergo PCR testing or be quarantined.

Other travelers, that have not been vaccinated or previously infected must undergo a screening process upon arrival. Border measures for screening depend on the departure country's risk assessment. The risk level of departure countries will be color-coded, see details below.

These are cautious steps for now but we are optimistic and hope that restrictions can be eased even more and simplified in the near future.

The Government of Iceland anticipates that vaccination will gradually reduce the risk that stems from the pandemic. In light of this, the border measures will be reviewed monthly, primarily with the aim to implement easing of restrictions if the situation allows.

Country of departure. Color-coded risk level
 

After May 1st, passengers that have not been vaccinated or previously infected must undergo a screening process upon arrival. The screening process depends on the country of departure's risk level.

Departure countries will be risk-assessed into green, orange, and red zones.

Travelers departing from:Low and medium risk countries (green and orange): Can provide valid proof of negative PCR-test results to be exempt from a 5-6 day quarantine and a second screening. Passengers need to undergo one PCR test on arrival.High risk countries (red): Must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland, followed by a 5-6 day quarantine and a second screening at the end of the quarantine period.All passengers that have not been vaccinated or previously infected and can not provide a valid negative PCR-test result upon arrival must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland, followed by a 5-6 day quarantine and a second screening at the end of the quarantine period.

Current travel restriction, valid until May 1st

Until May 1st, all passengers traveling to Iceland will have to undergo double PCR testing with a 5-6 day quarantine.

The option to choose a 14-day quarantine instead of screening has been removed. Less than one percent of arriving passengers have opted for that option in recent weeks.