Go to content 
Travel insurance for Iceland Does the European Health Card work in Iceland?
If you are reading this article, I imagine that your trip to Iceland is approaching and you are finalizing some details such as health issues, whether you need insurance to travel to Iceland, or you are wondering How does healthcare work in Iceland? What happens if I have an accident? And one of the most repeated, that many people write to us on Instagram with doubts Does the European health card work in Iceland?
In this article we answer these questions from our experience of living and traveling in Iceland, our opinion on whether it is necessary to travel with insurance to Iceland and some examples of situations that we have experienced in the country.
Does it serve the European Health Insurance Card in Iceland?
The quick response Whether you can use the European health card in Iceland is yes. In case you still don't have it, you can order it for free on the company's website. Social security.
Now, I told you that the quick answer is yes, but it has several buts and that is, just because it can be used does not mean that healthcare will be free because The health card gives you the same rights as Icelanders, and here in Iceland health care is not 100% free.
How does the healthcare in Iceland?
As I already mentioned, healthcare in Iceland is not free, works with copays So even though it is subsidized by the government, you have to pay a certain amount for each medical visit.
It usually has a rate that is around €40 in exchange for a medical visit, plus the co-payment for the tests you have to do or any treatment/medication that is necessary.
Furthermore, ambulances are not free either And being such an uninhabited country, ambulance distances are usually long, and the use of a helicopter may even be required.
This is one of the reasons why in general It is recommended to travel to Iceland with travel insurance, in addition to the EHIC (European sanitary card).
What the TSE would not cover
In case you travel only with a European health card and something stupid happens to you that makes you go to the doctor, the bill is not going to be something crazy that you cannot pay. But The EHIC does not replace travel insurance. And these are some of the reasons or problems that the TSE does not cover, but insurance does:
- Repatriation prior to the return date of the trip for different reasons
- Coverage for loss or damage to luggage
- Delays on flights and cancellations
- Medication prescribed at medical visits.
- 24 hour attention in SpanishEven if you are fluent in other languages, when something happens to us we tend to get very nervous and it is easier to communicate in other languages.carsand in the mother tongue.
- Rescues If you are injured in a hard-to-reach area (not in all policies)
And of course, if it is something other than nonsense, the price of tests and medical visits will increase, and although it will not ruin you, it is much cheaper to prevent it with travel insurance.
Accidents we have seen in Iceland. Is it a dangerous country?
Perhaps you have read on some occasion that Iceland is ranked as the safest country in the world, and yes, it is, but in terms of crime, not slipping on ice or mud.
Iceland is a potentially "dangerous" country and it is a destination where you will spend practically the entire day outdoors and its climate is far from being friendly to human beings.
In almost a year working and traveling around Iceland We have seen many accidents, or many 'accident' people have visited the thermal baths where we work. And you don't have to be very adventurous to be exposed to the country's risks.
Without going any further, in the bathrooms where we work, a relaxing place suitable for everyone, we have seen slips that have ended in a dislocated shoulder, broken wrist or sprains. Obviously it is not the most common, I would not want to put 'fear' into your body. But it is a possibility that cannot be ignored.
What does travel insurance to Iceland include? Coverage
Our insurance trusted for short trips in Europe is Interworld, And also for reading us you have a 15% discount with the code LOWCOSTEROS. But practically all insurances have similar coverage and Whichever one you choose, the important thing is that you do not travel to Iceland without insurance..
Some of the most important insurance coverages «Totaltravel mini» by Intermundial, which is the most economical option, are the following:
- Medical assistance up to €300.000
- Repatriation due to illness, death/hospitalization of a family member or accident in your home/business
- To €1500 in theft, luggage damage or delay of delivery at the airport
- To €300 for flight cancellation or overbooking
If you are worried that your trip could be canceled, you can add cancellation coverage to your policy for a small extra that is often worth paying.
Price of insurance to travel to Iceland? + Discount
By less than €30 per person you can have 10-day insurance To travel to Iceland, did you expect more? carOr? As you can see, it's a very, very competitive price in exchange for a more peaceful ride.
Also, through using the code LOWCOSTEROS you have a -15% discount, which always comes in handy! So 10 days in Iceland with Your totaltravel mini Intermundial insurance costs less than €23.
In conclusion, although as a European citizen the insurance to travel to Iceland It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Especially considering that the cost is between €20-€30, money that is very easily hidden in the budget for a destination caror what Iceland is like. SIf you are looking for ways to save that are not based on going without insurance, here I leave you 10 consejos to save in Iceland.
Note that if you are not a European citizen and you need a Schengen visa, Yes, travel insurance is mandatory that covers a minimum of €30.000 for medical assistance.. Don't worry, you can buy Intermundial from anywhere in the world and it covers all the requirements.
