Change in medication co-payment as of January 1

Pharmaceutical co-payment by Iceland Health will be based on usage according to the recommended maximum dose by the manufacturer. After the change, co-payment will not be available for doses exceeding the recommended maximum. The new arrangement will take effect on January 1, 2026. Medication usage forming the basis for assessing whether the maximum dose has been reached will be calculated from that time. As of April 1, 2026, reimbursement will cease for the portion exceeding the recommended maximum dose.

Those who already have payment periods in effect will continue to pay according to the old system. Payment periods that are in effect at the turn of the year will therefore not be adjusted, and individuals will complete them unchanged.

However, all those who begin a new payment period in the year 2026 will pay according to the new system.

More detailed information about changes in the co-payment of medication costs can be found on the Government's website in a news release from September 26, 2025.

Stjórnarráðið | Breytingar á greiðsluþátttöku í lyfjakostnaði um næstu áramót (ice.)

Iceland Health has compiled responses to the main questions regarding the changes: Greiðsluþátttaka miðast við ráðlagðan hámarksskammt | Sjúkratryggingar (ice).