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Country Guide > Europe > Iceland


Health

 Special PrecautionsCertificate Required?
Yellow FeverNoNo
CholeraNoNo
Typhoid and PolioNoN/A
MalariaNoN/A


Other risks
Care should be taken as hypothermia is a real risk.

Health care
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality. Please note that Swiss nationals are not covered by the EHIC in Iceland. People who do not have UK, EU or EEA nationality are covered for emergency treatment only.
There are medical centres and hospitals in all major towns and cities. Go to a health centre or a doctor registered within the state scheme. You will have to pay a fee of IKR 700, which is not refundable. You will have to pay the full cost of any dental treatment. Children under 16 have to pay only 25 per cent. Prescribed medicines can be obtained from any pharmacy. You must show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You will be charged a set amount depending on the type of medication prescribed. Ask the doctor for a generic drug if possible, as these are generally cheaper than brand name medicines. Patients can be admitted to hospitals only when they are referred by a doctor. However, in emergencies, patients may be admitted immediately to whichever hospital is serving as the emergency hospital at the time. Hospital inpatient treatment is free if you present your EHIC. Otherwise, you will be charged. All hospitals have excellent standards of medical service. Patients must pay the full cost of ambulance transportation within Reykjavik. Elsewhere, the cost of ambulance transportation is limited to a maximum of IKR 2,400. Non-EEA nationals resident in the UK may also be covered for emergency health treatment in Iceland under a separate agreement. You will need to produce your NHS medical card. The emergency number for medical assistance is 112 (open 24 hours). More information can be obtained from the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, Reykjavik (tel: 560 4400).



   
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