Travelling to Iceland without insurance means risking an out-of-pocket medical bill: healthcare is paid upfront by non-residents, and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not accepted by private clinics. Yupwego helps you find the right policy for your trip, from medical expenses all the way to repatriation.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance compulsory in Iceland?
Travel insurance is not compulsory to enter Iceland. That said, if you don’t have an EHIC or if you visit a private practitioner, you pay the full cost of care on the spot before any reimbursement. A travel insurance policy covers what the EHIC leaves at your expense, and includes medical repatriation, which falls outside the scope of standard state health coverage.
Why take out travel insurance for Iceland?
- Upfront payment required: In Iceland, non-residents pay for healthcare before seeking reimbursement. Without insurance, you leave the hospital with a bill to settle from your own pocket.
- The EHIC doesn’t cover private care: The European Health Insurance Card is only accepted at public facilities. Private clinics, dental treatment and prescription medicines remain entirely at your own expense.
- Medical repatriation at your own cost: An organised medical return from Iceland can be extremely costly. Travel insurance covers this; the EHIC does not.
- Remote areas, distant hospitals: Some parts of Iceland are a very long way from the nearest hospital. If you have an accident in the highlands, an emergency evacuation is set in motion without warning, so being covered beforehand makes all the difference.
- Cancellation and unexpected travel costs: Extreme weather, transport delays, lost luggage: cancellation or baggage cover means you don’t have to absorb those losses alone.
What your Iceland travel insurance covers with Yupwego
For a trip to Iceland, Yupwego recommends a minimum cover of 80 000 €, including medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation.
- Medical expenses and hospitalisation: Yupwego settles the bill directly with the healthcare provider, so you pay nothing upfront and can focus on getting better.
- Medical repatriation: In the event of a serious emergency, Yupwego organises and funds your return home, regardless of the distance.
- Personal liability: If you cause damage to a third party in Iceland, the policy covers the resulting costs in accordance with the policy terms.
- Cancellation and trip curtailment: Illness, bereavement, natural disaster: you recover pre-paid costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short.
- Lost or stolen luggage: Your belongings are reimbursed if they are lost or stolen during your trip, with no excess left to you.
Healthcare in Iceland
Iceland has a well-organised healthcare system, but non-residents pay upfront for treatment, even in public hospitals. With an EHIC, you can access public facilities on the same terms as Icelandic residents, but private care, dental treatment and medicines remain entirely at your own expense. No vaccines are mandatory for Iceland: routine jabs, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles, are all that is needed. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends a policy covering all medical expenses and medical repatriation.
Entry requirements for Iceland
French nationals can enter Iceland with a valid national ID card or passport and need no visa for stays of up to 90 days (Schengen area). Make sure to obtain your EHIC from your health insurance provider before departure: it makes it easier to access public healthcare, but is no substitute for a tourist travel insurance policy. For longer stays, a long-stay policy or expat insurance offers cover better suited to your situation.
Car hire and road accidents in Iceland
Hiring a car is the most popular way to explore Iceland: your French driving licence is valid there (EEA area) and no international permit is required. When you pick up the vehicle, carry out a thorough walk-around inspection and take out the damage waiver offered by the rental company (CDW or excess reduction): travel insurance does not cover physical damage to a hired vehicle. However, if you are injured in an accident, your medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation are covered under your Yupwego policy. Personal liability towards third parties is also covered in accordance with your policy terms.
