🇮🇸Iceland Visa for British Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Visa-free90 days max stay

No — British passport holders do not need a visa for Iceland. Entry is visa-free for up to 90 days as of 2026.

Schengen Annex II visa-exempt (EU Regulation 2018/1806). 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS pre-travel authorization will also be required once ETIAS launches (expected Q4 2026, not yet in force as of June 2026).

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Entering Iceland on a British passport

  • → Travel with just your valid British passport. No visa or prior application needed.
  • See the exact document checklist for British applicants — only needed if you apply for a longer-stay visa.

Iceland visa documents for British applicants

No visa documents are needed for a short visit — British citizens enter Iceland with just a valid passport. If you apply for a longer-stay visa, these are the exact documents required, by visa type, from the official visa application centre.

touristTourism

In order to ensure quick and efficient visa processing you must prepare all necessary documentation before you submit the application package to VFS Global. Failing to submit all relevant documentation will result in unnecessary delays or might lead to a refusal of your application. Therefore, please do not approach the visa reception before you have collected all supporting documentation. Personal appearance is requested for applicants applying for a Schengen visa to Iceland for the first time. Information about the application will be shared with the other Schengen countries and applying under false circumstances may affect future applications for the Schengen area. English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. The application supporting documents should be handed in on A4 size papers. Please see here for the requirements: Click here (PDF checklist).

touristOffical Visit

In order to ensure quick and efficient visa processing you must prepare all necessary documentation before you submit the application package to VFS Global. Failing to submit all relevant documentation will result in unnecessary delays or might lead to a refusal of your application. Therefore, please do not approach the visa reception before you have collected all supporting documentation. Personal appearance is requested for applicants applying for a Schengen visa to Iceland for the first time. Information about the application will be shared with the other Schengen countries and applying under false circumstances may affect future applications for the Schengen area. English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. The application supporting documents should be handed in on letter size papers: - Travel document Your passport or travel document must be valid for minimum three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area, - It shall contain at least two blank pages, - It shall have been issued within the past 10 years, - It should not have any observation regarding the front data page. - Application form Fully completed application form and signed by the applicant. Please note that any incomplete information or false statements could result in delay in the processing of the application. The application form can be downloaded in English. - Photograph One recent original passport-size color photograph with white background. Photograph should not be older than six months. - Diplomatic Note Verbale - Diplomatic Note Verbale from your Ministry stating the reasons for the trip, including dates, names of participants, their ranks, passport numbers. - Information about Official Ministries, Organizations and/or businesses visited in Iceland. - Invitation letter A signed invitation letter from the Icelandic company containing: - Name of the invited applicant, - Purpose of visit, - Dates of the intended stay, - Nature of costs being covered (boarding & lodging). Completely filled form from the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration available on the following website. Invitation form. - Travel Medical Insurance You must hold a travel insurance policy to cover possible expenses in connection with a return for all risks e.g. accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation etc. during your stay. The insurance policy must cover all the Schengen countries, and the minimum policy coverage is Euro 30,000. The insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay. The validity of the visa may be shortened if the insurance policy does not cover the entire duration of the stay. You must ensure always to have a valid Schengen travel insurance during your stays in the Schengen area. The border authorities may ask to see proof of a valid insurance when you enter Schengen. - Proof of means of Transport Flight reservation of return or round ticket. If the applicant is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental. Please note that the tickets do not have to be paid, only the flight booking needs to be submitted. - Proof of Lodging Hotel reservations, rental of holiday home or campus residence reservation. If the applicant intends to stay with a family member or a friend, proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation is required from the host. Individual Schengen States may require applicant to present proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by the Schengen State’s competent authority (hereinafter 'national form'). If applicant is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of lodging in each of them should be submitted. - Proof of Financial means - Latest 3 months UK current or savings account bank statements showing applicant’s name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date. - If no bank account, travelers’ cheques that’ should be in the applicant's name and showing details and balance for sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of intended stay and for the return to the UK or country of origin. - Passport Copy All applications must contain a full color photocopy of the valid passport - all pages of the passport are required. If there are any valid visas for Schengen or USA/UK/Canada/Australia (issued in last three years) in the old/cancelled passport then a color photocopy of the visa pages and passport data pages are required.

businessBusiness

In order to ensure quick and efficient visa processing you must prepare all necessary documentation before you submit the application package to VFS Global. Failing to submit all relevant documentation will result in unnecessary delays or might lead to a refusal of your application. Therefore, please do not approach the visa reception before you have collected all supporting documentation. Personal appearance is requested for applicants applying for a Schengen visa to Iceland for the first time. Information about the application will be shared with the other Schengen countries and applying under false circumstances may affect future applications for the Schengen area. English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. The application supporting documents should be handed in on A4 size papers. Please see here for the requirements: Click here (PDF checklist).

touristFamily Or Friends Visit

In order to ensure quick and efficient visa processing you must prepare all necessary documentation before you submit the application package to VFS Global. Failing to submit all relevant documentation will result in unnecessary delays or might lead to a refusal of your application. Therefore, please do not approach the visa reception before you have collected all supporting documentation. Personal appearance is requested for applicants applying for a Schengen visa to Iceland for the first time. Information about the application will be shared with the other Schengen countries and applying under false circumstances may affect future applications for the Schengen area. English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. The application supporting documents should be handed in on A4 size papers. Please see here for the requirements: Click here (PDF checklist).

otherMinors

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the applicant can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission. Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application. Applicants always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted. Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under Overview (see here (minors.html)) in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category. - STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION - Visa application form (original) (see here (Online-Application-Form.html)): signed by both parents - Passport (original) Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area. Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case applicant first needs to apply for a new passport. Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable. - UK Residence permit UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card and/or digital proof of immigration status issued by UK Home Office (share code), must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area; C type visitor visa (see here (images/C-Type-visa-UK.jpg)) is not acceptable. - Photograph (original) (see here (minors.html)) Every minor, irrespective of the visa category applying for, has also to provide the following documents as part of the Standard Documentation: - Birth certificate Unabridged birth certificate showing biological parents their names; if not in English or German, then translation by a certified translator in the UK is also required - Consent of both parents Both biological parents need to give their written consent (signed & dated) for the minor to travel - Parents passports (copy) - Proof of sole custody (in case of a single parent): in case parents have divorced or one of the parents has deceased, then the same has to be demonstrated by court/residence order (original to be seen) or death certificate (original to be seen) - SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION In case the minor is applying for TOURIST/VISITOR FAMILY & FRIENDS/AIRPORT TRANSIT

transitSeamen Tranist Visa

In order to ensure quick and efficient visa processing you must prepare all necessary documentation before you submit the application package to VFS Global. Failing to submit all relevant documentation will result in unnecessary delays or might lead to a refusal of your application. Therefore, please do not approach the visa reception before you have collected all supporting documentation. Personal appearance is requested for applicants applying for a Schengen visa to Iceland for the first time. Information about the application will be shared with the other Schengen countries and applying under false circumstances may affect future applications for the Schengen area. English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. The application supporting documents should be handed in on letter size papers: - Travel document Your passport or travel document must be valid for minimum three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area, - It shall contain at least two blank pages, - It shall have been issued within the past 10 years, - It should not have any observation regarding the front data page. - Application form Fully completed application form and signed by the applicant. Please note that any incomplete information or false statements could result in delay in the processing of the application. The application form can be downloaded in English on the following page: Application form in English - Photograph One recent original passport-size color photograph with white background. Photograph should not be older than six months. - Proof of Legal Residence in the United Kingdom UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card and/or digital proof of immigration status issued by UK Home Office (share code), must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area; C type visitor visa (see here) is not acceptable. - Proof of employment or studies - If employed an employer’s letter on official letterhead confirming the applicants start date and continued employment and /or pay slips for the last three months. The letter should state the date of issue, name, address, telephone number and position of signatory and registration number in the United Kingdom - If self-employed - Original letter from a solicitor, accountant or Companies House confirming self-employment status or business ownership in the United Kingdom. - If student - A recent signed student letter from the school, college or university confirming the applicants enrollment and indicating the start and end date of his/her studies. - If unemployed or retired - A recent original letter obtained from local Job Centre or Department for Work and Pensions. - If being sponsored by spouse - Sponsorship letter. - Copy of sponsor’s passport. - Marriage certificate – original and a copy (if the document was issued outside of the EU and is not in English, it must be translated by a certified translator in the UK). - Sponsor’s employment letter. - Sponsor’s last 3 months bank statements of UK current bank account. - Travel Medical Insurance - You must hold a travel insurance policy to cover possible expenses in connection with a return for all risks e.g. accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation etc. during your stay. The insurance policy must cover all the Schengen countries, and the minimum policy coverage is Euro 30,000. The insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay. The validity of the visa may be shortened if the insurance policy does not cover the entire duration of the stay. You must ensure always to have a valid Schengen travel insurance during your stays in the Schengen area. The border authorities may ask to see proof of a valid insurance when you enter Schengen. - Proof of means of Transport Travel itinerary Flight reservation of return or round ticket. If the applicant is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental. Please note that the tickets do not have to be paid, only the flight booking needs to be submitted. If travelling in an organized tour, proof from travel agency or tour operator confirming the booking of the tour. Visa to the destination country (if required). - Proof of Financial means - Latest 3 months UK current or savings account bank statements showing applicant’s name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date. - If no bank account, travelers’ cheques that’ should be in the applicant's name and showing details and balance for sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of intended stay and for the return to the UK or country of origin. - Minor Applicant - Original birth certificate and photocopy. - If the minor is travelling with only one parent, written consent of the other parent or guardian, and a signed copy of their passport or other photo ID. In case a person has sole custody or guardianship of the minor, proof of this should be submitted. - If the minor travels alone (without parents), written consent, from both parents or legal guardians of the minor; as well as signed copies of the passports or other photo ID of the parents or legal guardians. - All minors must be accompanied by both parents or legal guardians and sign the application form in front of a VFS officer. Except in cases where, the child is traveling with one parent to visit the other parent, who is residing in Iceland. - Seaman Need to provide the additional A. Seaman‘s book B. Proof of Lodging In case of overnight stay - hotel reservations, rental of holiday home or campus residence reservation. If the applicant intends to stay with a family member or a friend, proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation is required from the host. C. An invitation from the shipping company/maritime agency in Iceland containing the following details: - Name and family name of the seafarer - Place and date of birth, passport number, seafarer's book number - Date of issue, period of validity of passport and the seafarer’s book - The seafarer's position on the vessel (if there are several seafarers, their information can be included in a list, signed and stamped, and annexed to the invitation letter) - Name and flag of the boat - Port and date of boarding and disembarking - Itinerary that the seafarer will follow to arrive in the Member State of destination/ transit (including date and entry point (airport) to the Schengen area) - In the letter of invitation, the shipping company/maritime agency based in Iceland should indicate the name and address of the UK agency it is collaborating with and will be responsible for submitting the visa applications. - The shipping company/maritime agency based in Iceland is also required to indicate that it will bear all responsibility for the seafarer upon his/her arrival in Iceland (including in the event of repatriation) and ensure that he/ she boards the ship. - If the visa application is presented by a shipping company/maritime agency of the UK, a covering letter by the agency/company including the list of seafarers applying. - Passport Copy All applications must contain a full color photocopy of the valid passport - all pages of the passport are required. If there are any valid visas for Schengen or USA/UK/Canada/Australia (issued in last three years) in the old/cancelled passport then a color photocopy of the visa pages and passport data pages are required. - General Information - All documents should be provided in A4 size. - Please submit only photocopies of all documents, as we do not guarantee the return of any original documents but do carry original documents at the time of submission. The Embassy reserves the right to request the original of any document provided at any point during visa processing. - English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. - The applicants should allow for a processing time of minimum 15 days, excluding the VFS handling time back and forth to the Iceland Embassy.

via VFS Global ↗

Iceland visa for British citizens — FAQ

Do British citizens need a visa for Iceland?

No — British passport holders do not need a visa for Iceland. Entry is visa-free for up to 90 days as of 2026.

How long can British citizens stay in Iceland?

British passport holders can stay in Iceland for up to 90 days per entry under the current visa-free arrangement.

What documents do British citizens need for Iceland?

A valid passport is all British citizens need for a short visa-free visit (up to 90 days). If you apply for a longer-stay visa, Earth Visa lists the full required documents per visa category from the official visa application centre.

Related visa requirements