Visiting Iceland
Iceland is in the Schengen area but not the EU, so days here count towards your Schengen 90. It has its own currency and its own customs rules.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Iceland?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Iceland in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 25 March 2001. Time you spend in Iceland counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Iceland?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Iceland?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Iceland
Accommodation tax. Hotels and guesthouses charge an accommodation tax of ISK 800 a night per room. Campsites and campervan pitches charge ISK 400 a night.
Own currency, EU roaming. Iceland uses the Icelandic króna (ISK). EU phone plans, including Irish ones, work here at no extra charge.
Duty-free allowances. Iceland sets its own customs limits. You can bring 200 cigarettes and, for example, 1 litre of spirits, 0.75 litres of wine and 3 litres of beer duty-free. You must be 20 or over to bring in alcohol.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Iceland Revenue and Customs and Visit Iceland.
See the 20 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Lodging tax (Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn))
- Gistináttaskattur (Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn))
- General information about Iceland (Visit Iceland (Business Iceland))
- Mobile roaming costs (European Commission (Your Europe))
- Duty free imports (Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn))