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Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Iceland - European Health Insurance Card

Residents of the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) need only to show a valid national ID card to prove eligibility for public healthcare in Iceland.

Emergency

Call 112

For urgent medical advice (non-emergency, open 24/7) 

Treatment, coverage & costs

Doctors

  • General medical care is provided in health centres located throughout Iceland, which are open from 8 am to 4 pm. If you need to consult a doctor outside these hours, most areas have a doctor or nurse on standby duty. For after-hours care in Reykjavík visit the Læknavaktin clinic (call 1700). Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM on weekends and public holidays. 
  • Patients who present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are charged a standard fee; those without it should expect to pay the full cost.

Dentists

  • Dental services are provided at private dental clinics in most areas of Iceland.
  • Fees vary depending on the treatment. Adults aged 18–67 are not covered for dental care in Iceland and must pay the full cost, but you may seek reimbursement in your home country, if you are eligible under your national system. 
  • Children under 18 years of age pay an annual fee of ISK 3,500.
  • State pensioners and individuals receiving disability benefits may be eligible for partial reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of standard dental treatment, in accordance with the applicable dental care agreement. 

Hospital treatment

  • Immediate admission is only possible in the event of emergency.
  • Generally, there is no charge for treatment provided during hospital stays (in-patient treatment).
  • You will be charged a fee for treatments with no hospital stay (out-patient treatment). This fee is non-refundable in Iceland.

Prescriptions

  • You can go to any pharmacy ("Apótek").
  • By presenting your EHIC, you pay the same co-payment as residents for medicines covered by the Icelandic reimbursement system. If you are charged the full price for such medicines at the pharmacy, you can apply for reimbursement from Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health), provided you present the original receipts and EHIC - or seek reimbursement upon return to your home country.
  • Prescription charges range from 0% to 100% of the price, depending on the medicine category and the individual's accumulated costs in the Icelandic co-payment system.
  • Further information about the medicinal cost co-payment system is available on the national website. 

Ambulance

  • Call 112 if you need an ambulance.
  • Present your EHIC to pay the standard patient fee. This fee is non-refundable in Iceland.
  • You can seek reimbursement upon return to your home country. 

Air ambulance

  • The same conditions apply as for transport by ambulance.

Further information about the co-payment system in Iceland 

You can find more information on the national website 

Contact for further information: 

Sjúkratryggingar (e. Iceland Health) 
Tel: +354 515 0000 
E-mail: sjukraatsjukra [dot] is (sjukra[at]sjukra[dot]is)  

Reimbursement

  • Standard patient fees are not refundable in Iceland. Other claims for reimbursement should be directed to the Sjúkratryggingar Íslands office in Reykjavik.
  • If you paid the full cost of treatment (e.g. because you did not present your EHIC), you can apply for a refund of the insured portion from Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health) before leaving the country. You must present:
    • original receipts and proof of payment,
    • your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
  • If you are unable to submit a claim during your stay, contact your national health insurance provider once you return home.
  • Keep copies of all documents for your records. 

Patient contribution

  • By presenting your EHIC and a valid ID, you are charged a standard patient contribution (hlutdeild sjúkratryggðra) on the same terms as persons insured in Iceland. For further information, contact Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health).

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

  • If you know you will need dialysis, oxygen therapy or chemotherapy during your stay in Iceland, you must arrange it well in advance.
  • Your EHIC covers the provision of oxygen, dialysis and chemotherapy.
  • It is particularly important to ensure you have booked a state-funded healthcare provider. Treatments carried out by private healthcare providers are not covered by your EHIC.
  • Dialysis: Landspítali University Hospital (in Icelandic), Dialysis unit, Eiríksgata 5, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 543 6315
  • Oxygen therapy: Landspítali – University Hospital , General Medicine outpatient A3, Fossvogur, Reykjavík. Tel. +354 543 6040.
  • Other treatments: Contact Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health), International Department, Vínlandsleið 16,113 Reykjavík, Tel.: +354 515 0000.

How do I apply for an EHIC?

  • You can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online through Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health). Further information and online application are available on the national website.

Doctors & hospitals accepting the EHIC

  • Health centres are public in Iceland
  • Hospitals are public in Iceland
  • Most specialists have a contract with the government and are therefore considered part of the public healthcare system.

Loss of card

Contacts for holders of EHICs issued in Iceland

Sjúkratryggingar (Iceland Health)
Tel: + 354 515 0000
Email: sjukraatsjukra [dot] is (sjukra[at]sjukra[dot]is)