A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Call 112 or go to the local police station.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Iceland.
Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Petty theft can happen. Pay close attention to your belongings.
Peaceful demonstrations sometimes occur. Monitor the media and avoid affected areas.
Iceland's climate is unpredictable. Iceland experiences snow, sand storms and ash storms. Check local sources for weather and updates about road closures and other disruptions.
Iceland has active volcanoes. It's also in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis are a threat in coastal areas. Monitor the local media.
Some places in the Arctic are a long way from help in an emergency. If you need help, you may have to wait a long time. Only book travel with companies that have on-board medical help.
Full travel advice: Safety
Health risks in Iceland are similar to those in Australia.
The standard of health facilities and care is high. However, services can be limited in areas with fewer people.
Healthcare costs are the same as, or more expensive than, private treatment in Australia. Make sure you have adequate travel insurance.
Full travel advice: Health
Penalties for drug offences are severe. Even possession of a small amount of drugs can attract heavy fines, jail or deportation.
Always carry ID, such as your passport or driver's licence.
Penalties for driving infringements are severe and include heavy fines, jail and deportation.
Full travel advice: Local laws
Iceland is part of the Schengen area. This means you can enter Iceland without a visa in some cases. Contact an embassy or consulate of Iceland for details.
Hazards at natural attractions rarely have warning signs or safety barriers. Stay on marked paths. If you visit geysers, take care to avoid injuries from steam and hot water.
If you plan to do an adventure or trekking activity, get local advice on routes and the weather before setting out. Use an experienced and well-known trekking company.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Iceland.
You can get consular help from the Canadian Embassy in Reykjavik.
You can also get consular help from the Australian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Iceland has a low crime rate. However, you could face petty theft. This often occurs around bars late at night in downtown Reykjavik.
To protect yourself against theft, look after your belongings.
Peaceful demonstrations sometimes occur.
monitor the media for news of protests
avoid affected areas
follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Iceland, they can still happen.
There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe.
Terrorists have attacked several European cities. Targets have included:
public transport
other transport hubs
public places frequented by foreigners
To reduce your risk of terrorism:
be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
report anything suspicious to police
monitor the media for threats
take official warnings seriously
follow the advice of local authorities
If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
If you want to do an adventure activity or go trekking:
get local advice on routes and the weather before setting out
use an experienced and well-known trekking company
always let someone know where you're going
don't trek alone or off marked trails
keep a safe distance from seals
follow the advice of rangers in wilderness areas
Iceland experiences natural disasters and severe weather.
If there's a natural disaster:
keep your passport in a safe, waterproof place
contact friends and family with regular updates about your welfare
monitor the media, other local information and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
follow the advice from local authorities
Iceland can experience severe weather. The climate can be unpredictable, with:
localised snow
sand storms
ash storms
The Icelandic Meteorological Office gives weather reports.
For recorded weather information in English 24/7, call (+354) 522 6000 or (+354) 902 0600.
For reports on road closures and other disruptions, visit:
Civil Protection in Iceland gives advice about what to do in emergencies.
Iceland has active volcanoes. Monitor the local media for reports on volcanic activity.
Volcanic eruptions have disrupted flights. Check with your airline for any flight changes due to ash releases.
Iceland is in an active earthquake zone.
Tsunamis are a threat in coastal areas.
If you're near the coast, move to high ground straight away if advised, or if you:
feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
hear loud and unusual noises from the sea
Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.
More information:
Some places in the Arctic are a long way from help, including:
search and rescue
evacuation
medical facilities
Search and rescue teams in the region are highly skilled. However, in an emergency, help depends on the weather and sea conditions. If you need help, you may have to wait a long time.
Before booking travel in the region, check your travel company's:
experience
reputation
standard of onboard medical help
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Iceland. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Ask an embassy or consulate of Iceland about any restrictions on amounts that may apply.
Health risks are similar to those in Australia.
The standard of health facilities and care is high. Many people speak English. However, services can be limited in areas with fewer people.
Australia doesn't have a mutual healthcare agreement with Iceland.
Healthcare costs are the same as, or more expensive than, private treatment in Australia.
Emergency hospital treatment is usually free. However, you'll have to cover any follow-up costs.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences, even for small amounts of drugs, are severe. They include heavy fines, jail and deportation.
More information:
Always carry ID, such as your passport or driver's licence.
Penalties for drink driving and speeding are severe and include:
heavy fines
jail sentences
Even minor offences can attract fines and jail sentences.
If you're found guilty of an offence, you could also face:
deportation
a ban on future travel in the European Union
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Iceland is one of the countries in Europe that's signed the Schengen Convention. This means you can enter Iceland without a visa in some cases.
Get an entry stamp in your passport from border control when you first enter the Schengen area.
Always carry a valid passport even if you're travelling from another Schengen country.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Iceland for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Always carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
Iceland's currency is the Icelandic Kroner (ISK).
Declare cash of over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Iceland and any non-EU country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You'll have to pay a fine on entry or exit if you:
don't declare your money
give incorrect information
You can use major credit cards in most places.
Hazards at natural attractions rarely have warning signs or safety barriers. Stay on marked paths and use common sense.
If you visit geysers, take care. The hot steam and water may cause injuries. Take extra care on windy days.
You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Iceland. Get this before you leave Australia. An IDP does not replace the requirement for a regular driver's license. You must carry a valid Australian driver's license with your IDP at all times when driving in Iceland.
Roads are narrow and winding. Speed limits are low.
Driving conditions can be hazardous. Roads can be impassable in winter when there's less daylight.
The weather and river levels can change quickly. Plan ahead.
The northern lights can distract drivers, making them lose control or stop without warning. This can create a hazard for other road users.
If you want to drive, be aware that authorities:
impose heavy fines for speeding
strictly enforce drink driving laws with severe penalties
strictly control off-road driving
Always keep your headlights on low beam.
You need winter tyres from around 1 November to 14 April. The dates may vary each year. Check with the Icelandic Transport Authority for more information.
Many highland tracks are only open for a short part of the summer.
If you plan to drive to the highland or other remote regions, check with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
Call (+354) 522 1000 for updates on:
road hazards
weather conditions
off-road driving conditions
When driving through remote regions, take special care:
on gravel
on loose surfaces
at night
More information:
Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike or quad bike.
Always wear a helmet.
A range of authorised taxi and limousine services are available. You can book these through your hotel.
Public transport options are limited outside Reykjavik.
Straeto publishes bus timetables.
More information:
Several international cruise lines stop over in Iceland.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Iceland's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Call 112 or go to the local police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
The 112 Iceland app from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) helps in an emergency.
To call for help, press the red 'Emergency' button. This will send your location by text message to the 112 response centre. The green 'Check In' button tells ICE-SAR your location.
For non-emergency medical help in the Reykjavik metropolitan area, call:
544 4114 during business hours
544 1770 outside of business hours
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist products or services.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Iceland.
You can get consular help from the Canadian Embassy in Reykjavik.
Canadian Embassy
Túngata 14
101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Phone: (+354) 575 6500
Email: rkjvk@international.gc.ca
You can also get consular help from the Australian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark:
Dampfaergevej 26,
2nd floor,
2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark
Phone: +45 7026 3676
Fax: +45 7026 3686
Email: genenq.cpgn@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Denmark, Norway and Iceland
Twitter: @AusAmbDK
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.