Emergency and Health Care

National Emergency Number - 112

In the event of serious injury, life-threatening illness, emergencies such as fire, or police assistance, call the emergency telephone number 112. The number is the same no matter where you are in Iceland.
You should call this number immediately if any emergency arises. There is no charge and all persons regardless of status are entitled to emergency assistance. The telephone number is open every day at any hour.

Medical and Psychological Services

Off-hour medical clinic (Læknavaktin) tel. 1770
If you need to see a doctor outside the opening hours of regular clinics (i.e. evenings, nights and weekends) you can seek the services of Læknavaktin at Smáratorg 1, 200 Kópavogur (about 10 mins from Reykjavík). In case of a medical emergency, call 112.

The Red Cross Helpline tel. 1717
The Red Cross Helpline 1717 is a toll-free number open 24 hours a day for those who need assistance due to grief, anxiety, fear, depression and/or suicidal thoughts.

Psychological counselling for University of Iceland students

Violence and abuse

For Reykjavík local police, the telephone number is 444-1000 for matters not requiring immediate assistance.

For emergencies, always call 112.

Emergency clinic for victims of sexual abuse tel. 543 2094
The Emergency clinic is located at Landspítali National Hospital in Fossvogur, 108 Reykjavík. It provides medical and psychological services for victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault as well as legal counselling. Full confidentiality is provided.

In case of sexual assault, it is best to seek assistance immediately by calling the emergency clinic, tel. 543 2094. However, you can also go straight to the clinic if you are unable to call first. Currently, the clinic‘s website is only available in Icelandic. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Domestic violence - where can I get help?

Women‘s Shelter (Kvennaathvarf) tel. 561 1205
The Women‘s shelter provides accommodation and counselling for women and children who are victims of domestic  and/or sexual violence.

We also recommend services listed on the Ísland.is website on accidents, traumas and emergencies.

Health Clinics
The best way to see a doctor fast is to make an appointment at a local health clinic (heilsugæsla). The clinics are usually located within certain areas in Reykjavik. List of health clinics.

In emergency cases, you can always show up at your clinic after official opening hours when first come first served based service is offered.

When in need to see a specialist, go through a health clinic and have them refer you to a specialist, that is cheaper than going directly.

Dental Care
Imperative information on dental care can be found on Icelandic Health Insurances Questions can be directed to tannmal@sjukra.is or tel. 515-0005.

Please bring your passport and European Health Insurance Card when you need to see a doctor, with the card you are guaranteed to pay the minimum fee offered to everyone insured by the public health system in Iceland. This is an option only meant for a short stay and can therefore only meant for the transition period when health insurance rights are being transferred between countries.

The European Health Insurance Card is a free card that proofs your health insurance in the home country and gives you access to medical assistance, under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in any of the 28 EU member states and the four EFTA states Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

Those without the European Health Insurance Card can not prove their home country insurance and need therefore to pay the maximum fee for a doctors visit until their insurance rights from home country have been transferred to Iceland.

Icelandic Health Insurance - contact: international@sjukra.is

More information on health care can be found on Iceland Euraxess.

Non-EU/EEA citizens are not covered by the public health care system in Iceland for the first 6 months of their residence. They must get private health insurance for the first six months of their stay in Iceland.  With a private health insurance every doctor´s visit is paid full price but up to the limit in the personal liability stated in the insurance policy terms. When the cost has exceeded the limit you can start claiming the insurance company by submitting receipts for already paid health cost service. Detailed information on the insurance policy and coverage can be found on the respective insurance website.

More information on health care can be found on Iceland Euraxess.