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International Health Insurance in Iceland for Expats
Non-EU expats moving to Iceland must purchase a health insurance plan for the initial six months when they are not covered by the national health insurance. If you’re staying for less than six months, you will not be covered by the national health insurance and must shoulder the cost yourself.
Iceland is home to one of the best healthcare systems, and their national health insurance provides comprehensive coverage with certain copayments. In this Pacific Prime guide, learn more about how to access the local healthcare system and find the best health insurance options there.
Planning to visit nearby countries? Check out our health insurance guides for all European countries.
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Iceland
Iceland's Healthcare System
The majority of Iceland’s healthcare system is state-run. All of Iceland’s seven major hospitals are public, and there is no private hospital in Iceland. Most private healthcare options are limited to privately-run specialist clinics which are usually located in the vicinity of Reykjavik only.
For most primary health services, you can visit a public healthcare center (Heilsugæsla), where doctors will refer you to a specialist or a hospital if your condition requires one. You generally need a referral letter to receive hospital care in Iceland.
Prior appointment is recommended for your visit to a healthcare center. You can call ahead or book online via https://minarsidur.heilsuvera.is/ if you have an electronic ID and have enrolled in the public healthcare system.
For any medical emergency, you can dial 112 for an ambulance service or contact the nearest emergency room directly. If you’re in Reykjavik, you can go to the emergency room at Landspitali University Hospital (24-hour operation).
Please bring your ID (passport or driver’s license) with you when visiting the emergency department. If you have an Icelandic Health Insurance card or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), please bring it with you for your medical coverage.
Continue in our next section to learn more about the health insurance options available for you in Iceland, including public Icelandic health insurance and private health insurance plans.
List of Hospitals in Iceland
Landspitali
Telephone: 3545431000
Website: http://www.landspitali.is/
HSS
Telephone: 3544220500
Website: http://www.hss.is/
SAK
Telephone: 3544630100
Website: http://www.sak.is/
HSU
Telephone: 3544322000
Website: http://www.hsu.is/
HSA
Telephone: 3544703000
Website: http://www.hsa.is/
HVE
Telephone: 3544321000
Website: http://www.hve.is/
HVEST
Telephone: 3544504500
Website: http://www.hvest.is/
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Health Insurance Options for Expats in Iceland
The Icelandic Health Insurance, the country’s public health insurance, will be an option for expats staying longer than six months. For anyone staying short-term, private health insurance is your option to ensure you are covered for any healthcare needs while staying in the country.
Learn more about both options in the sections below!
Public Health Insurance in Iceland
Iceland provides universal health coverage through the Icelandic Health Insurance. Anyone legally residing in Iceland for six months is automatically covered by the system. Once covered, your healthcare will be subsidized, and your monthly health expenses will be capped.
Under the Icelandic Health Insurance, your maximum payment for healthcare is capped at 34,950 ISK (251.64 USD) per month or 23,301 ISK (167.78 USD) for children from 2-18 years old and pensioners. Payment that exceeds the monthly cap is paid for by the government.
Children under the age of 2 are not charged for healthcare.
This copayment system applies to most health services. However, certain health services are provided for free in Iceland including:
- Inpatient hospital care and treatment
- Maternity care
- Clinical visits for people with disability or anyone over the age of 67
- All health services for children with a GP referral
Private health services, as well as private specialist consultations, are also subsidized by Icelandic Health Insurance.
Some health services that are not covered under the scheme include:
- Dental care
- Mental care
For medications, there is a 12-month period cap at ISK 62,000 (USD 448.45). Medication expenses beyond this cap are paid for by the government.
To enroll in the Icelandic Health Insurance, you must submit your application one day after your registration of domicile has been finalized with the National Registry.
You can submit your application for Icelandic Health Insurance at: https://island.is/en/apply-for-health-insurance
It generally takes around 4-6 weeks for your applications to be processed. Your health insurance will be activated once you have stayed in the country for six months. During the initial six months, you have to pay the full fee for health services.
Tourists and anyone who stays in Iceland for less than six months are NOT eligible for the Icelandic Health Insurance and must pay for health services in full.
You will also have to shoulder the full cost of healthcare if you haven’t fulfilled your initial six-month waiting period for the Icelandic Health Insurance.
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European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
EHIC provides temporary healthcare coverage for residents of the EU countries. This includes the six-month waiting period for the activation of your Icelandic Health Insurance.
You’re eligible for EHIC if:
- You are a legal resident of a member of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom
- You are insured under the social security system of your country
You can obtain the EHIC by contacting the public health insurance authority of your country.
Private Health Insurance in Iceland
Private health insurance will be useful, if not essential, whether you are visiting the country shortly or are applying for Icelandic Health Insurance. Anyone staying in Iceland shorter than six months will not be eligible for the national health insurance at all.
Icelandic Health Insurance has a waiting period of six months, and unless you have the EHIC, you will need to shoulder the full cost of healthcare in the meantime.
Even if you have EHIC, one should note that EHIC does not substitute a travel or a private health insurance plan. Certain services covered by a travel or a private health insurance plan are not covered by EHIC, such as repatriation, delayed or canceled flights, and lost or stolen property.
Considering the abundant natural wonders Iceland has to offer, you want to make sure your adventure on this beautiful island is worry-free, and a private health insurance plan that meets your budget and needs might be all the help you need.
Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Iceland
The insurance experts at Pacific Prime leverage close partnerships with all major insurers for Iceland and worldwide to ensure our clients have the best selection of plans that suit their needs. Continue below to learn about some of the top insurers we work with.
Need more detailed comparisons? Have certain coverage you want? Contact us today so we can help!
AXA
AXA Global Health Insurance offers both short-term and long-term plans for expats and travelers, with comprehensive coverage for any medical needs.
Some examples of shared coverage by all AXA insurance plans include:
Cigna Global
Cigna Global provides flexible insurance plans to expats. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any private hospitals and private clinics. Their plans are both customizable and comprehensive.
Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:
Allianz
Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans to fit a variety of expats’ and their family’s needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad.
Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:
Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Iceland
Iceland is a safe country, but there are certain things you might want to be extra careful of, like road conditions and invisible dangers in nature. We will discuss more safety tips below:
Road Conditions
Travelers should drive carefully if they are not familiar with snowy and icy roads. If gravel and mountain passages are not your usual driving terrain, pay extra caution as well. Travelers are advised to check the weather and their driving routes beforehands.
Leave a Travel Plan When Going Outdoor
Inform someone you know about your travel plan, especially if you’re going to spend a long time outdoors, be it hiking, climbing, or diving. By leaving your travel plan to someone you know, they can react should you need any help or any emergencies occur.
Respect Rails, Fences, and Signs
Always respect rails, fences, warning signs, and paved ways when visiting natural landscapes. Strong undercurrents, slippery cliffs, and unstable ground around hot springs can be life-threatening, and they aren’t always visible at first sight.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is healthcare in Iceland free for foreigners?
Healthcare in Iceland is subsidized only for those enrolled in the Icelandic Health Insurance, the country’s public health insurance scheme. If you are not eligible for Icelandic Health Insurance, you must pay for health services in full.
Can you use EHIC in Iceland?
Legal residents of the EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom can use EHIC to access Iceland’s public healthcare during their temporary stay in Iceland.
Do I need health insurance to travel to Iceland?
Though health insurance is not mandatory, it is advisable to secure a health or a travel insurance plan for your trip to Iceland. Temporary visitors are not covered by the country’s national health insurance and must pay for healthcare in full.
Compare Insurance Plans
The Icelandic Health Insurance provides a comprehensive subsize and coverage for most of your healthcare needs in Iceland, public and private, but you need to stay in the country for six months first. In those six months, a private health insurance plan can provide the coverage you need.
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