Iceland: Authorities to reintroduce negative COVID-19 test requirement for international entry from July 27 /update 20

Event

Iceland will reintroduce COVID-19 testing requirements for international entry from July 27 in response to an increase in imported cases. International travelers will be required to produce the results of a PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. The requirement will apply to vaccinated travelers and those who have recovered from COVID-19.

Entry restrictions for unvaccinated travelers remain unchanged. Unvaccinated travelers must produce a negative PCR test result no older than 72 hours upon departure, quarantine for five days upon arrival, submit to a test upon arrival, and another test at the end of the five-day quarantine period. Children born in 2005 or later are exempt from all entry restrictions.

Up until July 27, current international entry restrictions will continue to apply. Specifically, travelers with a certificate confirming they are vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 are not currently tested for COVID-19 on arrival. The vaccine must be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), and the last dose must have been administered no less than 14 days ago. Entry to Iceland is currently permitted for all individuals who can present one of these certificates on arrival; such travelers are also exempt from quarantine requirements.

Under most circumstances, travelers from EU and Schengen Area states and those from Albania, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Macao, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US can enter Iceland. Most travelers from other locations will remain prohibited from entering with some exceptions, including freight and transport workers, immediate family members of Icelandic residents, diplomats, students, individuals conducting necessary work, and persons traveling for urgent family reasons. All arrivals must complete a preregistration form before departing for Iceland.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities previously lifted all domestic COVID-19-related restrictions. Measures, such as social gathering limits, wearing of facemasks, and business operating protocols, are no longer in effect nationwide. Officials continue to encourage regular cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces as a precaution.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Carry proper identification documents to present at security checks. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Iceland COVID-19 Website
List of Travelers Allowed Entry
ECDC COVID-19 Risk Map
Schengen Area countries