Health insurance when moving to Iceland

EEA nationals, Swiss and UK nationals who are temporarily posted to work in Iceland by their employer or who are self-employed can remain covered by the social security system of the country of origin.

You must submit an S1 certificate to Iceland Health from your country of insurance to obtain health insurance in Iceland. The basis for issuing an S1 certificate is an A1 certificate which confirms that an employee is covered by the social security legislation of the country of issue.

The S1 certificate is a confirmation that an individual is insured in the country of issue and also a request that an individual be insured in the country of destination at the expense of the country of issue.

The S1 certificate is registered in the insurance register in Iceland and therefore a person becomes a health insured person in systems at healthcare providers in Iceland. A person therefore receives the same rights as other health insured individuals in Iceland while the S1 certificate is valid.

If an individual has not been issued an S1 certificate with an A1 certificate, Iceland Health may request the certificate for the individual. The international affairs of Iceland Health must be contacted and a request for such a certificate must be submitted.

S1 certificates can be submitted by e-mail (international@sjukra.is) or by mail (Iceland Health, international, Vínlandsleið 16, 113 Reykjavík).

If you have a registered S1 certificate, you have the right to receive all services as a health insured person in Iceland and therefore do not need to use the EU card in Iceland.

Different rules apply to work and residence permits depending on whether people come from states within or outside the EEA.

The Directorate of Immigration is responsible for issuing work and residence permits.