Iceland re-opens its borders! As of March 18, 2021, Iceland has re-opened its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers. Those who have documentation of full vaccination against COVID-19 from vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Pfizer, or Moderna will be granted entry.
Acceptable Documenation
Those wishing to visit Iceland can now present official paper documentation (i.e. COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) or an electronic vaccine certificate. Iceland has also removed requirements that a nationality and passport number must appear on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine documentation.
In addition to Iceland re-opening its borders to those who have been fully vaccinated, those who have previously been infected with COVID-19 will also be allowed. If able to provide documentation of a positive PCR test that is older than 14 days, a traveler will be granted entry. Proof of a positive antibody test will also be accepted as documenation to allow entry.
Previous Requirements
Prior to the above changes, U.S. travelers were not allowed entry in most situations. Entry for citizens of EU/EEA countries was also challenging. Previous requirements included a negative test result prior to departure, a negative test result upon arrival, a mandatory five day quarantine, and a final third negative test result before travelers were allowed to leave their hotels.
A Future Trend?
As mentioned, proof of vaccination or a form of vaccine passports may become more and more common over the next few months. This may be a source of frustration for some because entry into Iceland is substantially more complicated for those who choose to not be vaccinated.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Iceland, those who are unable to provide proof of vaccination are required to be tested upon arrival, quarantine for up to six days, and then obtain a second negative test before quarantine will be lifted.
Conclusion
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers from the U.S. were visiting Iceland in record numbers and it is easy to understand why. Airfare and flights are relatively inexpensive and uncomplicated, English is commonly spoken, and the country itself is a land of amazing, natural beauty.
Waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches, geysers, and glaciers are around every turn. After Iceland re-opens its borders, will U.S. travelers return to see them?
If the vaccine reentry program is a successful system, it makes one wonder which countries will be next with similar entry requirements? In the meantime, if you are considering visiting Iceland, be sure to check out the video below for some of the country's rugged adventure opportunties and natural beauty.