Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
In an emergency – unconsciousness, serious bleeding, difficulty breathing, dial 1-1-2 and request ambulance transport to the nearest hospital equipped to handle emergencies.
If you are in Reykjavik and have an urgent, non-life-threatening medical problem, you may also go to the emergency room at Landspitali University Hospital located in Fossvogur. It is open 24 hours a day. Telephone +354-525-1700 or +354-543-1000. Practical information FAQ here. Select English by clicking the globe icon in the upper right corner of the page.
Note the U.S. Embassy does not pay medical bills. The patient is responsible for payment of hospital and other expenses. The cost of medical care in Iceland is typically lower than similar care in the United States, and non-residents of Iceland usually must pay their bill in full upon discharge. Credit cards are accepted.
After Hours Care
For urgent after-hours primary care, call 1770. After-hours care is provided through a central primary care clinic located at Laeknavaktinn, staffed on a rotating basis by physicians from local clinics. House calls can sometimes be arranged. A nurse will answer, gather some information, and either:
- Offer advice on how to handle the problem.
- Suggest the patient come to the clinic to be seen.
- Send a physician to make a house call.
- Refer you to a hospital emergency room
You can visit the central primary care clinic without an appointment from 17:00 23:30 on weekdays and 9:00 to 23:30 on weekends. From 23:30 to 8:00 you should call 1770 as described above.
Medical Evacuation
Check with your insurance provider whether medical evacuation is covered. Also, some credit cards may offer assistance or coverage for medical evacuation or assistance abroad with terms and conditions. For Iceland domestic medical evacuation/and or air ambulance, see:
- Myflug Air, stationed in Akureyri. Phone number +354-464-4400. https://www.myflug.is/en/air-ambulance
Before you go abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, remember to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of insurance and a claim form.
Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Medical evacuation can be extremely expensive, costing more than $50,000 depending on your location and medical condition. Although some health insurance companies pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad, very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States.
Private Physicians
It is also possible to establish yourself as a patient with a private physician. We have provided a list of doctors that you may use as a guide in finding a physician that meets your specific needs. The U.S. Embassy assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of persons or practices whose names appear on the following list.
- Physicians List (PDF 69 KB)
Emergency Financial Assistance
The U.S. Embassy does not pay U.S. citizen’s medical bills overseas. Limited emergency medical assistance loans may be available on a reimbursable basis for eligible temporarily destitute U.S. citizens and their qualified dependents. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and, in most cases, you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full.
