Emergency Financial Assistance

Contacting Home: U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. The American Citizen Services unit in the Consular Section can assist in this effort, if necessary.

Western Union: Money can be transferred from the U.S., or from anywhere else in the world, to you in Iceland within minutes through Western Union. Money can be sent at an agent location, be transferred online, or by phone. More details can be found on the Western Union website.

MoneyGram: Another way of transferring money is through MoneyGram.

Further Assistance: U.S. Consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the U.S. Embassy Reykjavik’s Consular Section directly by email at reykjavikconsular@state.gov or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State. For information on how a consular officer can help under these circumstances, see http://travel.state.gov/travel.