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FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions: 

Health/Pharmacies/Emergency medical help

Icelanders enjoy a healthy life, thanks to clean air and water and good quality fish. Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland. Pharmacies are called “Apótek” and are open during normal business hours.

Medical help: There is a medical center or hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland.

Emergency: The 24-hour emergency phone number in Iceland is 112. See also http://www.safetravel.is

Health insurance: Citizens of Scandinavia must show their passports in the event of a medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the European Health Insurance Card (EU-card), otherwise, the patient will be charged in full. The EU card replaces the E-111 form and ensures the same rights. Citizens of other countries will be charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, IS-105 Reykjavík
Tel.: +354-560-4400/560-4460.

Office hours: 08:05–15:30.

Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not required.

 Tax-free shopping

A refund of local Value-Added Tax (VAT) is available to all visitors in Iceland. The refund will reduce up to 15% off the retail price, provided departure from Iceland is within 3 months of the date of purchase. The purchase amount must be no less than ISK 4,000 (VAT included) per store.

Public Holidays

  2021 2022 2023
New Year's Day Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1
Maundy Thursday April 1 April 14 April 6
Good Friday April 2 April 15 April 7
Easter Sunday April 4 April 17 April 9
Easter Monday April 5 April 18 April 10
First Day of Summer April 22 April 21 April 20
Labour Day May 1 May 1 May 1
Ascension Day May 13 May 26 May 18
White Sunday May 23 June 5 May 28
White Monday May 24 June 6 May 29
National Day June 17 June 17 June 17
Bank Holiday Monday August 2 August 1 August 7
Christmas Eve Dec 24 Dec 24 Dec 24
Christmas Day Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25

Midnight Sun

During summer the nights are bright all over Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. Bear in mind, however, that the sun at midnight is not as warm as at midday, so bring along a sweater.

 Currency Exchange 

The Icelandic monetary unit is the króna. Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10 kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Banknotes are in denominations of 10000 kr, 5000 kr., 2000 kr., 1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.

 Telephone

Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The code for Iceland from overseas is +354 + seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialing 00 plus the country code, and the telephone number you wish to reach.

 
Mobile phones– Gsm: There are four GSM operators in Iceland: Siminn, Vodafone, TAL, and Nova. These telephone companies all sell pre-paid GSM phone cards and offer GSM/GPRS services. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country

 Before departure to Iceland

For information on passport and visa requirements as well as the Schengen area regulations, please view the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration: www.utl.is.

 Electric Current 

The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 Hz AC

Visitors with disabilities 

Visitors with disabilities can make traveling in Iceland fairly easy by planning their vacation in advance. They may also find it necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance.
 
The coastal ferry Herjólfur is accessible to people with disabilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travelers with disabilities. A few domestic buses equipped for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request. For accessible hotels and tourist attractions, see www.sjalfsbjorg.is

Arrival in Seyðisfjörður 

From Seydisfjordur it is easy to take a bus to all major destinations in Iceland. The trip from Seydisfjordur to Reykjavík takes about 8–9 hours and from Seydisfjordur to Akureyri about 5–6 hours. For more information contact:
tel.: +354-472-1551, website: www.sfk.is

Keflavik International Airport

Airport Buses: A service is operated between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport. Buses leave Reykjavík from the BSÍ bus terminal 2.5 hours before flight departure. The drive from the airport to Reykjavík takes about 40-50 minutes.