Vaccination
If you live or work in Iceland, you have a right to vaccination against COVID-19.
Vaccination is free of charge, and no one is required to be vaccinated.
The vaccines for COVID-19 that are used in Iceland are safe and provide the best possible protection against the disease. The object of the vaccination is to protect individuals from contracting COVID-19. For further information on vaccines, side effects and frequently asked questions.
Those who have not received COVID-19 vaccination
It is possible to register for vaccination, regardless of whether or not the individual has an Icelandic ID number (in Icelandic/ in English). The vaccine used is most often Pfizer/BioNTech, but Janssen or Nuvaxovid can be requested from your healthcare centre. Take care when registering because the information cannot be changed afterwards.
It must be stated where in the country vaccination is requested.
Special cases
Two doses are always recommended for primary vaccination in Iceland, as well as if a vaccine from Janssen is used.
A booster vaccination (third dose, etc.) strengthens the protection against COVID-19 infection and serious illness more than the two-dose primary vaccination. Further information on booster vaccinations can be found on the Directorate of Health’s website.
If you have received one dose of vaccine in a foreign country. It is recommended that you complete the vaccination with a vaccine that is available at the vaccination site closest to you. This is usually Pfizer/BioNTech, but you can request another in a comment, and it is important to also let us know in the heilsuvera online chat.
If you received primary vaccination with a vaccine that is not available in Iceland and would like to receive a certificate here, it is recommended that you receive one dose of Janssen.
If you have had COVID-19, all the recommendations above for vaccinations apply; a previous history of COVID-19 is not taken into account in the vaccination recommendations in Iceland.
Children 5–15 years old are offered vaccination, and parents/guardians must give their consent and accompany the child to the vaccination. A general booster vaccination is not recommended for this age group, but it is possible if requested.
Vaccination certificates
The vaccination certificate is available on My Pages at heilsuvera.is after the primary vaccination has been completed and at your healthcare centre. A booster dose makes the vaccination valid indefinitely, but the QR code can expire, so it is recommended to always travel with a newly obtained certificate.
Vaccination certificates for children (under the age of 16) can be found on the parents’/guardians’ My pages, as well as at their healthcare centre. You need to change the user in the top right corner of the parent’s/guardian's My Pages to find the child’s page.
Children 16 years and older have their own pages and need an electronic ID, otherwise they can get a certificate at their healthcare centre.
If you are not covered by health insurance in Iceland but live or work here, you are still entitled to vaccination
It is possible to register for vaccination, regardless of whether or not the individual has an Icelandic ID number (in Icelandic/ in English). The vaccine used is most often Pfizer/BioNTech, but Janssen or Nuvaxovid can be requested from your healthcare centre. Take care when registering because the information cannot be changed afterwards.
If you do not have an Icelandic ID number, you must register your name, date of birth, gender, citizenship and type and number of ID, such as a passport or ID from the Directorate of Immigration.
It must be stated where in the country vaccination is requested.
If you are covered by health insurance in Iceland:
You can open Heilsuvera with your electronic ID and correct your phone number and other information if needed.
If you do not have an electronic ID, you should contact your healthcare centre and ask them to enter the correct information.
Registering at a healthcare centre:
Outside the Greater Reykjavík Area, you are automatically registered according to your legal domicile.
In the Greater Reykjavik Area, you need to register at a healthcare centre. It is possible to do so in person at the healthcare centre of your choice or at the Réttindagátt Sjúkratrygginga Íslands website (electronic ID required).
Not sure whether you are covered by health insurance in Iceland?
Health insurance in Iceland is based on legal domicile registration.
6 months after you are fully registered with the National Registry, you are automatically covered by health insurance.
Note that the System ID No. is not sufficient.
Before completing the 6 months from full registration with the National Registry, you must fulfill the following conditions in order to obtain health insurance:
To be from another EEA country and have health insurance there. Application for health insurance in Iceland.
Electronic ID
You must have an Icelandic ID number (full registration at Registers Iceland, not a system ID number) and an ID which shows the ID number.
You must have a smartphone and an Icelandic phone number.
You must go to the registration location in person and bring your phone and ID to activate an electronic ID
If you need further assistance you can contact the webchat at covid.is in Icelandic or English or New in Iceland, the Consultancy for Immigrants, who can assist you in more languages.
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