The European Health Insurance Card, is an important issue. The card provides access to healthcare services in all the countries of the European Union, EFTA countries and the United Kingdom. If the card is presented with a passport, services are provided on the same terms as those for the residents of the country visited.

How do I get the card?

It is easy to apply for the European Health Insurance Card on sjukra.is which is provided with electronic ID. After that, it takes about 10-14 days for the card to arrive at the applicant's legal domicile.

If the card is lost or forgotten at home, it is simple to receive an electronic document (a provisional certificate) confirming that a person has a valid European Health Insurance Card. The document is downloaded with electronic ID on sjukra.is and appears in an electronic mailbox within a few minutes.

Outside Europe

Iceland Health advises travellers to consider special travel insurance policies that are often included in the annual credit card fees and can also be purchased from insurance companies. Such insurance policies can be important during travel if there is a need for services that the European Health Insurance Card does not cover.

This applies if the trip is to a country outside Europe, but you cannot use the European Health Insurance Card. If there is no special travel insurance, you generally have to pay out of your own pocket, but you can apply for Iceland health payment participation when you return home. The payment of the refund varies according to each case.

The same arrangements apply if you seek private healthcare in Europe. The European Health Insurance Card only applies to public healthcare providers, not private clinics.

In case of serious illness, for example with hospitalization and imminently high costs, health insured individuals are advised to contact Iceland Health.