The Session will take place in the Icelandic parliament, the Althing, and Reykjavík City Hall from October 28-31. The theme of this year’s session is “Peace and Security in the Arctic.” Further information about the session and its agenda can be found on the Parliament’s website: The 2024 Session of the Nordic Council – Peace and security in the Arctic | Nordic cooperation

The Session is the largest Nordic political event of the year, bringing together 87 members of the Nordic Council, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and various other ministers from all Nordic countries. In total guests who attend the Session will be around 600.

Yes, a large area in central Reykjavík will be restricted to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  In downtown Reykjavik, Vonarstræti will be closed between Lækjargata and Suðurgata. Templarasund and Kirkjustræti, from Pósthússtræti, will also be closed.  Tjarnargata between Vonarstræti and Kirkjustræti will be closed. 

The parking garage at Reykjavik City Hall will also be closed to all traffic. 

Tjarnargata from Skothúsvegur will remain open to Tjarnargata 14, and there will be two-way traffic on the open section of Tjarnargata. 

All traffic within the restricted area is prohibited. 

Street closure period: 
Monday, October 28 from 08:00 
Wednesday, October 30, at 16:00, all closures will be lifted. 

Parking garage closure at Reykjavik City Hall: 
Monday, October 28 from 08:00 
Wednesday, October 30, at 16:00, the closure will be lifted. 

Restrictions in Thingvellir monday 28th of October:

Due to the meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers, there will be significant traffic restrictions for vehicles and cyclists at Þingvellir on Monday, October 28th. Pedestrian traffic will also be entirely prohibited.

The meeting is held in connection with the Nordic Council session, which takes place the same week. Traffic will be allowed to travel east on Þingvallavegur, but the road will be closed westbound from the Þingvallavegur/Lyngdalsheiði intersection to the Þingvallavegur/Grafningsvegur intersection. All westbound traffic on Lyngdalsheiði from Laugarvatn will be directed south at the aforementioned intersection to Biskupstungnabraut.

The service center at Leirar will remain open, but Vallavegur from the service center will be closed. All traffic within Þingvellir will be prohibited, and access to Haki and Silfra will be closed. The closures will take effect at 7:00 AM on Monday, October 28th, and will last until midnight.

Due to the street closures, bus routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 55 will follow detours as Vonarstræti will be closed to traffic. This will apply from 08:00 on Monday, October 28 until 16:00 on Wednesday, October 30. 

Bus routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, and 12 will follow detours via Skothúsvegur and Fríkirkjuvegur. 

   • Inactive stops: Reykjavik City Hall. 

Bus route 13 will follow detours via Mýrargata and Ægisgata on its way to Öldugrandi. On its way to Sléttuvegur, it will follow detours via Suðurgata, Skothúsvegur, and Fríkirkjuvegur. 

   • Inactive stops: Reykjavik City Hall. 

Bus route 55 will follow detours via Sóleyjargata and Skothúsvegur. 

   • Inactive stops: Reykjavik City Hall and Hallargarður. 

For more information: Home – Strætó

There will be heightened security while the Nordic Council Session is ongoing from October 28 to 31. The police will be responsible for security, and the officers involved will be armed. This task will not affect the police’s emergency response capability. 

The Icelandic state, and thus the police, has certain obligations when hosting foreign heads of state. Security is always the responsibility of the host country and follows international standards when organizing multinational events of this magnitude. 

Foreign heads of state visiting Iceland on official visits enjoy what is called diplomatic immunity. The purpose of this diplomatic immunity is to ensure the safety and inviolability of the visiting head of state. 

See more here: 16/1971: Law on Iceland’s Participation in the International Agreement on Diplomatic Relations | Laws | Parliament 

Yes, the Icelandic police will be armed in accordance with security measures in connection with the Nordic Council session. The preparedness of the Icelandic police officers will be on a similar level as when the Council of Europe Summit was held in May 2023. 

Yes, there will be several foreign police officers and experts supporting the police operations. They will be armed according to the security measures set by the Icelandic police. 

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 Article 49 states: The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police may permit foreign police officers and security guards to carry weapons while working in Iceland, provided they operate under the supervision of the police and comply fully with these regulations on weapon use. The National Commissioner issues special certificates to the relevant individuals. 

Freedom of expression is protected in Iceland, and everyone has the right to express their opinions and protest peacefully. The role of the police is to ensure that everyone can express their views in accordance with applicable laws. Protesters, however, must apply for permission from the city of Reykjavík to use public land for protests. 

A large number of police officers will be involved in providing security during the Session. The police presence in the city centre, near the Parliament building, is expected to be very visible over the four days. 

Yes, this event will not negatively affect the police’s response capacity in Iceland. Police shifts are fully staffed across the country, and arrangements have been made to ensure adequate response in all police districts. 

No, the Session is not expected to impact border controls. 

Flying drones is prohibited in three areas as detailed below. No exemptions or permits will be granted during this time. The drone ban also applies to the media.  

 There are no altitude restrictions on the ban. 

1. Reykjavík city centre  

The ban applies from 08:00 on October 28, 2024, to 18:00 on October 30, 2024. 

2. Thingvellir 

The ban applies from 15:00 to 22:00 on October 28, 2024. 

3. Bessastadir 

The ban applies from 07:00 to 09:30 on October 29, 2024. 

More details at:  Ban on drone flights 28-31 October | Icelandic Transport Authority