The entry situation for Iceland has changed, see this update for details
Well, I posted yesterday that Iceland had reopened its doors to Americans. This morning I arrived at Keflavik Airport in Iceland to see for myself.
Now, there had been ways for Americans to get into Iceland, but all of them involved bringing a negative PCR Covid test with you (from within 72 hours of departure), taking a COVID test at the airport, going into quarantine for 5 days, and taking another COVID test before you were allowed to explore the country.
That has all changed if you’re vaccinated (and have your original CDC vaccination card), have a positive antibody test, or a positive COVID test that’s older than 14 days (you read that correctly, the assumption being that if you tested positive more than 14 days ago you should be in the clear now). Double-check the documentation here, but I showed up at Keflavik with nothing but my CDC vaccination card and passport and everything was fine.
Here was my experience today:
- I pre-registered my trip on the Icelandic government’s website before my flight departed. You must do this. When you’ve completed the form, you’ll be emailed a barcode. Take a screenshot of this barcode on your mobile device
- When checking in at the airport for my Icelandair flight from Boston, they asked for travel documentation to enter the country. I showed my original CDC vaccination form, and that was sufficient for them
- After we landed, I made my way to a bank of stands where they registered people for their COVID tests. Tell the staff there you have a vaccine and they will send you to the right, directly to passport control stanchions, and not to the left where the tests are administered
- At the passport stanchion, have your barcode ready on your mobile device (Keflavik airport has free wifi if you forgot to take a screenshot and need to access your email), they will scan it
- Hand over your passport and CDC card
- The customs agent jotted some notes down on a piece of paper…and THAT WAS IT. No COVID test, nothing
I’m now in Iceland. I’m vaccinated. And I’m free to roam.
Time to roam.
Andy,
This is wonderful news!!
Looking forward to your photos!Please post plenty!
I’m excited too!
“…or a positive COVID test that’s older than 14 days.” Assume you mean NEGATIVE Covid test? 🙂
Glad you had a good experience.
If they wanted a negative test why would they want to be OLDER than 14 days? Maybe they’re thinking if you were positive over 14 days ago that you’re now over it and have the antibodies?
No, a POSITIVE Covid test over 14 days old would likely mean you are no longer contagious, although you may still test positive for up to 90 days, so it isn’t possible to get a current negative Covid test.
I meant a positive COVID test, the logic being that the individual would no longer be contagious after that amount of time.
No. Negative covid is meaningless. They want prior infection, thinking you got over it and have immunity.
”
Positive PCR-test (RT-PCR) results for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 that is older than 14 days.
Presence of antibodies (IgG) against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 measured by ELISA serologic assay*.”
Good for you!
Awesome! Thanks for the report!
You’re welcome!
Enjoy. Hopefully the earthquake shakes don’t become too disruptive.
I’m on a different side of the island but am definitely keeping an eye on the reports.
Cool! Thanks for this timely report.
My pleasure my friend.
Now what about coming back? You have to get tested before getting on plane
Yes I do, Iceland has plenty of clinics where I can get the necessary test to re-enter the USA.
Wait, so being vaccinated is enough to enter Iceland, but not enough to enter the US?
That’s correct, had to get a test before I could come home
I am also traveling to Iceland in the coming weeks. Can you please provide more information about the process of getting a Covid test for coming back to the US?
Hi Andy, can you please do into more detail on the process of getting a COVID test in Iceland upon departure. Can you go into detail about what the cost is and what the process is if I were to get a covid test outside of the capital area.
Hi Pranav, just wrote a post about my experience: https://andystravelblog.com/2021/03/28/covid-test-iceland/
Are the clinics in Iceland offering rapid test results? I just booked a flight for May but will only be there for 5 days, and am planning on taking the covid test 2 days before returning to the US but just want to make sure I can get test results back within that time frame.
Hi Cindy, I wrote another post here: https://andystravelblog.com/2021/03/28/covid-test-iceland/
I wrote a post about this exact thing just now: https://andystravelblog.com/2021/03/28/covid-test-iceland/
How come you were able to get vaccinated?
I have a risk factor that put me in Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout here in Texas.
Can you please describe your cdc card? Was it on heavy card stock? Did you have a stamp or any official signatures?
Mine is literally a photocopied piece of white paper with the initials of the county health agency and handwritten lot numbers.
My card is on a thick card stock, no stamp or signatures. I’m not sure how a photocopy would work unfortunately.
My partner was given a photocopy with his vaccine as well, although it is blown up to the size of a full sheet of photocopy paper. His site applied printed out labels with all the appropriate information.
We expect there will be a digital vaccine passport available before we’re doing international travel, but plan to go back to the pharmacy that administered his vaccine if we need a physical card for whatever reason.
Thanks for sharing this information about your card. Not all clinics are including signatures or initials so I was wondering if that would be a problem (e.g., my card just says Walgreens).
If traveling with kids (teenagers under 16) who are unable to get vaccinated, I assume a test and quarantine would be required of the children, and therefore the vaccinated adults? Having such a hard time finding this information for a portion of our population that isn’t even able to get vaccinated.
I’m not certain but that sounds accurate to me.
KEF airport shut down due to a volcano eruption? The primary way between the city and the airport seems to have restricted traffic.
Since you were able to make it in to Iceland, can you visit other EU countries that are open to Iceland although you have an American passport?
I’m not certain unfortunately
We have made reservations in May, please let us know how the return Covid test process works.
Please let us know how the Covid testing to get back into the US works.
Hi Michele, I wrote a post about testing here: https://andystravelblog.com/2021/03/28/covid-test-iceland/
How does one preregister with a working number in Iceland, without having a number until they buy a SIM card on arrival? My American number obviously won’t work.
You can register a number for another country.
How long were you there? Did you have to get another covid test to return to Boston? I am arriving Friday morning and returning Monday morning.
Yes, you need a test to re-enter the USA. You might as well go from Keflavik directly to the testing center in Reykjavik for your return test. Go to travel.covid.is to schedule your appointment.