Welcome to Iceland
Practical Info
Iceland (Icelandic: Ísland) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland’s capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its surrounding areas) is home to over 65% of the population. Iceland is the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that rises above sea level, and its central volcanic plateau is erupting almost constantly
The interior consists of a plateau characterized by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly, and most of its islands have a polar climate.
Source: Wikipedia
Passport and Visa regulations
Iceland is an associate member of the Schengen Agreement, which exempts travelers from personal border controls between 22 EU countries. For residents outside the Schengen area, a valid passport is required for at least three months beyond date of entry.
For information on passport and visa requirements as well as the Schengen area regulations, visit the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
Healthcare
Medical care can be obtained by visiting a Health care centre. Citizens of EEA countries must bring their EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card), otherwise they will be charged in full. Non-EEA citizens are not covered by the EEA regulations and will be charged in full, we recommend you purchase travel and health insurance before you visit. Emergency number: 112
No vaccination certificates are required. There are no snakes or dangerous wild animal in Iceland 😊
Current covid situation in Iceland Iceland and Covid-19
Icelandic water and Swimming pools
When travelling in Iceland you may notice an “eggy” smell when running hot water that is simply a naturally occurring smell from the geothermal water source. As for drinking water, it is perfectly safe to drink water from the tap in Iceland and we are known to have the best water in the world.
Iceland is privileged with many natural resources and geothermal water is one of them, filling our natural hot springs, nature pools, swimming pools and baths all around the country. We recommend that you go for a swim at least one time during your stay in Iceland.
Climate
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate, cool in summer and fairly mild in winter. However, the weather is very changeable, and tourists should be prepared for the unexpected. View more at the Icelandic Met Office at en.vedur.is.
You can get sun, rain, heavy wind, calm wind and even sleet all on the same day.
Money
The Icelandic monetary unit is króna (ISK). You can use all major credit card in Iceland. As cash is seldom used in Iceland we recommend that you do not exchange currency or withdraw Icelandic cash from an ATM. (ATM = Hraðbanki)
NOTE FOR VISITORS FROM USA
Iceland uses cards with the chip-and-PIN system, which requires a 4-digit PIN for purchases. If you have a traditional “swipe and sign” card, you may wish to inquire about getting a chip-card from your bank or a major credit card issuer before travelling.
Electricity
Iceland uses Northern European electrical standards (50 Hz/220 volts) so converters may be required for small electrical appliances brought from home.
Iceland uses the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs.