Healthcare System in Iceland: Sjúkratryggingar Insurance, Health Centres, Hospitals, Emergencies and the Residence Period

According to CLEISS, the system is universal, controlled and funded by the State. Local authorities open entitlement to health insurance with Sjúkratryggingar Íslands, which negotiates with public and private providers, and the country has seven care sectors. Iceland is not a member of the European Union but of the European Economic Area: the European social security coordination regulations apply there, and the European Health Insurance Card gives access to care in the other States of the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland (island.is).

France Diplomatie reminds that an assistance contract or insurance covering all medical costs, including surgery, hospitalisation and repatriation, is essential for anyone not covered locally, as the embassy does not bear these costs. For reimbursements by situation, see the page on healthcare reimbursement in Iceland.

Anyone who has been legally resident in Iceland for at least six months is insured, whatever their nationality; the period is calculated from registration with the national register (CLEISS). The flat-rate sickness allowance requires the same period of residence, two months of activity before the leave and a leave of at least 21 consecutive days (CLEISS).

• Employee or self-employed person: care is funded by taxation, with no separate health contribution; the employer’s overall contribution funds pensions, unemployment and maternity benefits (CLEISS).
• S1: the S1 certificate confirms insurance in the former country of residence and, once requested, insures the person in the new country of residence (island.is). Its effect on the six-month period for a citizen of the European Economic Area should be checked with Sjúkratryggingar before settling in.
• During the waiting period: the European Health Insurance Card remains designed for a temporary stay; international insurance or CFE membership (the CFE is the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger, the voluntary social security fund for French nationals abroad) can cover the period.
• Leaving Iceland: Icelandic insurance stops as soon as legal residence moves abroad, except for students (island.is).

The patient freely chooses their GP, at a public health centre or with a private doctor approved by health insurance; the centres in central Reykjavik are sometimes full, so it is necessary to check that the doctor is contracted. The GP refers to specialists, but the patient keeps free choice of specialist and establishment; no referral is required to see a specialist, according to CLEISS.

• Consultation fees: CLEISS notes a GP consultation at ISK 700 on weekdays in the daytime and ISK 3,100 in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays, free for under-18s and retirees; the CLEISS holiday page indicates a minimum of ISK 500 at a health centre. Rates change: they should be confirmed with the centre.
• Specialist: the patient pays 90% of the cost of the consultation, retirees two-thirds of that share and children aged 2 to 17 one-third (CLEISS).
• Monthly cap: ISK 37,794 for the general public, ISK 25,198 for retirees, recipients of an invalidity pension and children aged 2 to 18, with free care under 2; once the cap is reached, the patient pays ISK 6,299 per month, or ISK 4,331 for retirees and children (island.is).

112 is the single number: it directs you to the police, the fire service, civil protection and rescue (France Diplomatie). The Landspítali national university hospital, in Reykjavik, is the reference establishment for specialist care and emergencies: France Diplomatie gives its emergency reception (+354 543 2000) and a medical advice line (+354 525 1000) open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to call before going to the emergency department.

Hospital care is free in public hospitals, on referral from the GP outside emergencies, but outpatient consultations involve a patient share (CLEISS). CLEISS also notes that, for dialysis or oxygen therapy, Landspítali should be contacted before travelling to make sure the treatment is available.

Medicines are sold only in pharmacies and drugstores, and a prescription is required for those subject to prescription (CLEISS). The patient advances the costs and pays a sliding patient share: over twelve months, their share falls from 100% to 15% then 7.5%, before full cover; the thresholds in krónur are published by Sjúkratryggingar (island.is, medicine costs section).

France Diplomatie advises taking only the medicines you need, in their original packaging, with a prescription stating the international non-proprietary name, checking that they are permitted in Iceland and never buying medicines from street vendors.

Dental care is covered, in full or in part, for children under 18, people over 66 and retirees (CLEISS); the CLEISS holiday page specifies partial cover after advance of costs for under-18s, people aged 67 and over and recipients of an invalidity pension. Other adults pay most of their dental care themselves.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for children under 18 are free on prescription, under conditions (island.is). Optical care is not described by CLEISS; it falls under supplementary cover or expat health insurance. For a full health budget, the guide on budgeting for health abroad offers a method.

France Diplomatie recommends bringing French vaccinations up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles) and seeing a doctor or an international vaccination centre before departure. For long winter stays, vitamin D supplements are advised because of the low sunshine.

• Roads: use reliable transport and avoid driving at night.
• Swimming: swim only in supervised areas and check the currents.
• Climate: protect yourself from the cold and from altitude depending on the destination.
• Pollution: limit exposure to air pollution and environmental chemicals.

To complement this with first-euro insurance, Expavy helps you compare contracts according to status and budget.