Travel within the EES + Switzerland + UK

Iceland Health encourages those who intend to travel within the countries of the EES, as well as Switzerland and the United Kingdom, to have the European Health Insurance Card with them. If the card is presented to an official healthcare provider within these countries, the patient must pay the same price for the service as individuals who are covered by health insurance in the country visited. Iceland Health reimburses the foreign state for these costs. This right of the patient to receive necessary services due to illness and accidents that occur during travel applies even if the examination and treatment are in-hospital and/or costly.

Keep in mind:

• Make sure your European Health Insurance Card is valid (valid for 3 years, 5 years for old-age and disability pensioners).

• When you apply for a new card it is sent to your legal residence, but it can take 10-14 business days to arrive.

• In the application for the European Health Insurance Card, you can apply for a provisional card that will be received immediately in the mailbox in Ísland.is in PDF format. You can use it if you've lost the card itself or if you don't have time to wait for it.

Apply here: European Health Insurance Card | Ísland.is

If the European Health Insurance Card is not presented to a service provider within the public health insurance system, you can apply for co-payment from the Iceland Health when you return home. Further information: Icelandic Tourists' Health Insurance Abroad | Health insurance

Travel outside the EES + Switzerland + UK

The European Health Insurance Card cannot be used when travelling outside Europe. If special travel insurance has not been obtained, the patient must therefore generally pay the cost of health care out of their own pocket, but it is possible to apply for co-payment from Iceland Health when they return home. The processing of the refund then varies depending on each case. The same applies if you seek private healthcare within Europe, where the European Health Insurance Card is not valid.

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

Transport to Iceland by air ambulance

In the event that individuals fall ill while travelling abroad and there is a delay in sufficient recovery so that they can return home by public flight, travellers should keep in mind that health insurance in Iceland does not entitle them to be repatriated to Iceland by air ambulance. Travel insurance policies of insurance companies and which can also be accompanied by annual credit card fees can, however, cover such costs. It is important that those who are planning to travel abroad keep this in mind before leaving, as insurance coverage is not available afterwards.

In case of an emergency, you should always contact the emergency number of the country in question (112 within Europe).