Icelandic Health Insurance
Healthcare is subsidized in Iceland, and residents are automatically covered by Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands). The Icelandic Health Insurance system automatically covers everyone who has legally resided in Iceland for six months.
Suppose you are a citizen of a country that is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and registered in that system. In that case, you can apply for the switch between insurance systems to take effect once your legal residence has been registered in Iceland. You may apply for this at Icelandic Health Insurance.
You may be able to apply for insurance in advance in your home country. Bring forms E-104 or S041 from the country you are moving away from to prove that you were insured there for less than two months before registering your domicile in Iceland. Icelandic Health Insurance may request it if your country does not provide these forms to individuals.
If you are not a European citizen, you must purchase supplemental insurance for 6 months before joining the healthcare system. If you are moving to Iceland from a Nordic country, you can apply for Icelandic Health Insurance when your legal residence is registered in Iceland.
Temporary insurance providers
The insurance providers listed above have websites and information in English, except Vörður, who can certainly answer any questions in English.
Here is a list of insurance companies authorized to provide services in Iceland.
Here is a list of all the Icelandic insurance companies.
How much will I pay for healthcare in Iceland?
Once registered in the system, here are some estimated costs of care: Maximum payment
General: 37.794 ISK.
The elderly, the disabled, and individuals receiving rehabilitation pension from Tryggingastofnun (Social Security Administration): ISK 25.198.
Children 2-18 years: 25.198 ISK.
Children under 2 years old: No fee.
Children in the same family are counted as a single child in the payment participation system.
Children under 18 receive the service free of charge with a referral from a doctor. Otherwise, 30% of the tariff is paid, which counts towards the payment participation system.
Monthly payment after the maximum payment is reached
General: 6.299 ISK.
The elderly, the disabled, and individuals receiving rehabilitation pension from Tryggingastofnun (Social Security Administration): ISK 4.331.
Children under 18 years of age: ISK 4.331.
If you do not use health care services for the next few months, the monthly fee will accumulate and be added to the next payment.
Dental care
Icelandic Health Insurance does not cover dental care. Dental care for children under 18 is free of charge. Adults pay according to the dentist's price list. Pensioners pay 50% of the total price if the dentist is a provider with a contract with Icelandic Health Insurance. You can find your local dentist here.
Where to seek healthcare in Iceland
Please refer to your nearest Health Care Center (Heilsugæsla) if you feel sick and it is not an emergency. Request an appointment with a doctor, and that doctor will refer you to a specialist if necessary. If you have an electronic ID (rafræn skilríki) and are already part of the healthcare system, through Heilsuvera. you can book appointments, renew prescriptions, and communicate securely with healthcare professionals.
Emergencies
In case of emergency, call the National Emergency number: 112. If necessary, they will send an ambulance.
Suppose you do not need an ambulance, are in the Reykjavik vicinity, and have an urgent medical problem. In that case, you can go straight to the emergency room (Bráðamóttaka) at Landspitali University Hospital in Fossvogur. It is open 24 hours a day. Telephone +354-525-1700.
In case of the severe illness of a child, the emergency department at the Children's Hospital (Barnaspítali) at Landspítali. If a child has a medical emergency unrelated to illness, take them to the emergency room at Fossvogur. Telephone +354 543 1000.
Bring along your ID, such as your passport, driver's license, or European Health Insurance Card (E-111). If you have Icelandic Health Insurance, be sure to know your personal ID (kennitala).
Temporary work
If you work in Iceland with a temporary permit (less than 12 months) for a foreign company and use your resident country's insurance during your stay, apply for the A1 certificate in your home country. Bring your A1 certificate to prove that you are insured during your stay in Iceland. Some countries do not provide an A1 certificate in advance, so you may have to apply for Icelandic Health Insurance once you arrive in Iceland.
While applying for an A1 certificate, apply for an S1 certificate, and register at Icelandic Health Insurance when you arrive in Iceland. If family members are moving with you, ask whether your insurance will cover them. Otherwise, you will need to bring your European Health Insurance Card issued by your home country to Iceland.
Traveling within Europe
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to the same fees as locals pay for healthcare within the EEA. You can apply for it through Icelandic Health Insurance.
If you are not insured
Please see the Landspitali – The National University Hospital of Iceland and the Practical Information section for the current price list of services without insurance, contact information, and places to go for medical care.
