ETIAS for Iceland

Although Iceland is not a member of the European Union, it is in the Schengen Area. This means visa-exempt non-EU nationals will soon need ETIAS to travel to Iceland.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will be fully operational from 2026 . People visiting Iceland from countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States will need to register for ETIAS.

Find out more about the ETIAS requirements and travelling to Iceland on this page.

Non-EU nationals who do not need a visa for Iceland must apply for ETIAS. ETIAS is a visa waiver, similar to the United States ESTA.

Eligible travellers can register online for this essential travel authorisation.

Non-EU citizens who are not eligible for ETIAS need a Schengen visa for Iceland. Schengen visa applications can be made at the Consulate of Iceland in the traveller’s home country.

ICELAND HAS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU

Iceland participates in some EU agencies and programmes but does not have voting rights. Foreign policy is also aligned with that of the EU and Iceland consults the union on foreign affairs issues.

Iceland is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Visa-exempt visitors from outside the European Union need to apply for ETIAS. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation for short trips to Europe.

With ETIAS, non-EU nationals can visit Iceland (or other Schengen countries):

Note that ETIAS is valid with the passport used to apply. Travellers need a new ETIS if their passport expires.

HOW AND WHEN TO GET ETIAS TO TRAVEL TO ICELAND

ETIAS will be fully operational from 2026 . Non-EU nationals need to register their personal details, passport data, and some travel information.

This information is checked against security databases. Applicants who present a safety or security threat can be prevented from travelling.

The approved ETIAS is linked to the applicant’s passport and verified when crossing Iceland’s borders.

It takes a few minutes to fill out the online form and applications are processed quickly. Most requests are approved following automatic processing.

Iceland’s border control system will be compliant with EU-EES regulations. These regulations state that biometric data should be gathered at external borders.

At passport control in Iceland, passengers from non-Schengen countries will have their fingerprints and photograph taken. On departure, another photograph is taken and matched with the image already in the database.

Artificial intelligence at the borders of Iceland will allow authorities to identify someone who has stayed in the Schengen Area longer than permitted.

NEW TECHNOLOGY AT ICELAND’S SEAPORTS AND AIRPORTS

The new technology is being implemented at more than 30 seaports and airports across Iceland.

This includes Iceland’s main airport for international arrivals Keflavik International Airport (KEF) —passport control at Keflavik will be improved with the introduction of new self-service kiosks, eGates, and Automated Border Control (ABC).

ENTERING ICELAND FROM OUTSIDE THE SCHENGEN AREA

Non-EU citizens arriving from outside the Schengen Area will have their passport scanned and ETIAS verified at Iceland’s border.

Passengers travelling with a Schengen visa need to present their visa and additional documents such as proof of funds and a return or onward ticket.

Information will also be recorded using the Entry/Exit System.

ENTERING ICELAND FROM WITHIN THE SCHENGEN AREA

There are no internal borders between Iceland and the other Schengen countries. Travellers arriving in Iceland from other Schengen member states do not face passport control, however, they should have their travel documents with them.

ARRIVING IN ICELAND BY PLANE AND FERRY

Most international tourists reach Iceland by plane. As it is an island, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get there.

Keflavík Airport (IATA: KEF, ICAO: BIKF) is Iceland’s main international transport hub. The airport is 50 km (31 mi) from Reykjavík city centre which can be reached by bus in 45 minutes.

The majority of overseas visitors arrive into Keflavík; in 2019 the airport handled more than 7 million passengers.

TAKING THE FERRY TO ICELAND

Iceland can be reached by ferry from certain overseas nations. A route is available from Denmark to Iceland during the summer months, the boat calls at the Faroe Islands which is another interesting place to explore.

Iceland is now a popular stop on international cruises, passengers arriving in Iceland on a cruise ship often have a day or 2 to visit the country.

ICELAND TOURISM STATISTICS AND DATA

Data from Ferdamalastofa Icelandic Tourist Board, more than 650,000 international visitors arrived in Iceland between June and August 2022.

US passport holders were the largest group, making up over 30% of international arrivals, mainly on holiday. Americans spent an average of 7.1 nights in Iceland during the summer of 2022.

Iceland was also a popular destination for British nationals. More than 30,000 UK citizens visited in the summer of 2022.

Citizens of the US and the UK will need ETIAS to travel to Iceland.

IMPROVED BORDER SECURITY TO MANAGE INCREASED VISITOR NUMBERS IN ICELAND

Iceland has become an increasingly popular destination for travellers from outside the EU over recent years. Many of these tourists take advantage of the EU’s visa-exemption policy.

Icelandic border security will improve with the introduction of the Entry/Exit system and ETIAS.

These EU systems have been developed in response to increasing visitor numbers and provide more information about who is crossing the external Schengen borders.