Foreign travel advice

Iceland

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Iceland set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the聽.

Passport validity requirements

Iceland follows . Your passport must:聽

  • have a 鈥榙ate of issue鈥� less than 10 years before the date you arrive 鈥� if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
  • have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.聽Renew your passport聽if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can travel to the聽Schengen area, which includes Iceland,聽for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

  • as a tourist
  • to visit family or friends
  • to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
  • for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Iceland are different.

If you鈥檙e travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit.聽

If you鈥檙e a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area. 聽

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

At Icelandic border control, you may also need to:

  • show a return or onward ticket
  • show you have enough money for your stay

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period聽

To stay longer, to work or study, or for other reasons, you must meet the Icelandic entry requirements. Check what type of visa or work permit you need with the聽.

If you鈥榬e in Iceland with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Read about聽passport stamping if you live in Iceland.

New Schengen entry requirements

The EU鈥檚 Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch.

Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System.

Vaccine requirements

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about聽. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Whale products

It is illegal to import whale products from Iceland into the UK. You could get a fine of up to 拢5,000 or a prison sentence.

Taking money into or out of Iceland

You must declare if you鈥檙e carrying any currency worth 10,000 euros聽or more.

Taking food and drink into Iceland 聽聽聽

You cannot take . There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.聽