Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area (EEA), and entry requirements are divided into three categories based on the applicant’s nationality: “visa free country”, “Schengen visa required country”, and “special exemption country”. The core principle is “valid documents and clear purpose”. The following are the core material requirements for each category of countries.
1、 EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: visa free, only basic documents required
Such citizens do not need to apply for an Icelandic visa and can enter the country with valid travel documents. There are no specific restrictions on their stay period (they must comply with local residency regulations).
-Core materials: valid EU/EEA member state passport or official ID card with photo (such as German personal ID card, French national ID card), which must remain valid during the stay.
-Special requirements for minors: When traveling alone or with only one guardian, they must bring an English version of their parents’ consent statement (template can be obtained from local automotive associations such as ADAC) and a copy of their parents’ passport/ID card, which does not require notarization.
2、 Citizens of countries who need to apply for a Schengen visa: prepare a complete set of documents according to the standards
Non Schengen countries including China, Russia, India, Brazil, etc. are required to apply for a Schengen tourist visa to Iceland. The documents are divided into “basic general materials” and “crowd specific materials”.
- Basic universal materials (essential for everyone)
- Passport valid for more than 3 months beyond the planned departure date, with at least 2 blank visa pages, including old passport and copies of all entry and exit records.
- Fill out the complete English Schengen visa application form (personally signed by the applicant) and attach two 3cm x 4cm white background photos taken without a hat for the past 6 months.
- Travel proof: English round-trip air ticket reservation (no prepayment required), full hotel confirmation, daily itinerary plan (indicating destination and transportation method).
- Medical insurance: covering the entire Schengen area, with a coverage of no less than 30000 euros, including the original and photocopy of the insurance for medical emergency, hospitalization, and repatriation expenses.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statements from the past 3-6 months, with a balance that covers expenses incurred during the stay (recommended daily of at least 150 euros).
- Crowd specific materials
-On duty personnel: English employment certificate with company letterhead (indicating position, income, and leave period), copy of business license (stamped with official seal), and English translation.
-Student: School English enrollment certificate (including leave permit), copy of student ID card; Minors are required to provide an additional notarized certificate of kinship and an English translation.
-Retired personnel: copy of retirement certificate and English translation, and pension payment records for the past 3 months.
3、 Special Exemption Group: Individuals holding specific documents are eligible for visa free entry
Citizens of some non Schengen countries who hold specific documents are exempt from Schengen visas and can enter Iceland directly.
-Holders of a valid Schengen visa: Regardless of nationality, holders of a valid Schengen short-term visa (Class C) or long-term residence permit (Class D) can enter Iceland visa free, with a stay period consistent with the visa validity period.
-Holders of EU member state residence permits: Holders of valid residence cards (whether limited or unlimited) from EU/EEA countries such as Germany and France are eligible for visa free entry and must also bring their own national passport.
-Refugees and individuals with special status: Holding a “foreigner travel permit” or “refugee travel permit” issued by EU countries such as Germany, which can be used as a substitute for a passport, and the document must be valid during the stay.
4、 Global General Precautions
-Non English materials must be accompanied by a formal English translation to ensure that the information is completely consistent with the original. The translation does not need to be notarized (unless otherwise required by the embassy).
-Applicants need to submit their documents and collect their biometric information (fingerprints+photos) in person at the visa center. The review process takes about 10 working days, and it is recommended to apply 30 days in advance.
