Planning an Iceland trip and don't know where to start?
Six questions, in the order they matter: when, how long, who with, budget, car or tours, where to sleep. We point you to the answer for each one.
Healthcare & Pharmacies in Iceland – Doctors, Medicine & Insurance for Visitors
Healthcare & Pharmacies
Medical services and where to find help
I am sick or hurt here and I do not know how this works.
Emergency number: 112
Medication Is Only Available at Pharmacies
Common items like painkillers, cold medicine, and allergy tablets are not sold in shops, supermarkets, or convenience stores in Iceland. All medication, including over-the-counter products, is available only at pharmacies (Apótek). Do not expect to find medicine at tourist shops or gas stations. Throat lozenges are an exception: you will often find basic sore-throat sweets in supermarkets and convenience stores, but the range is limited and may not match what soothes you best.
Common Medicines Tourists Buy in Iceland
Everyday over-the-counter medicine is sold at the pharmacy counter, not on open shelves. You do not always need a prescription for the basics, but you do have to ask a pharmacist, who will speak excellent English. Tell them your symptom or the generic name below and they will hand you the local equivalent. Brand names differ from home, so lead with the generic name.
| What you need | Ask for (generic) | Local brand you may see |
|---|---|---|
| Pain / fever | Paracetamol | Panodil, Paratabs |
| Pain / inflammation | Ibuprofen | Íbúfen |
| Allergies / hay fever | Antihistamine (loratadine, cetirizine) | Lóritín |
| Blocked nose | Nasal spray (xylometazoline) | Otrivin, Nasin |
| Cough | Cough syrup | Ask for hóstasaft |
| Sore throat | Throat lozenges | Hálsbragðarefur; also sold in some shops |
| Cold / flu symptoms | Cold combination medicine | Ask the pharmacist |
| Diarrhoea | Loperamide | Imodium |
| Motion / travel sickness | Meclizine / cinnarizine | Postafen |
| Heartburn / indigestion | Antacid / omeprazole | Ask the pharmacist |
| Dehydration / stomach bug | Oral rehydration salts | Ask the pharmacist |
A few things worth knowing: pack sizes are often small, prices are higher than at home, and stronger versions of the same drug may need a prescription. If you rely on a specific product, bring it with you rather than counting on finding the exact brand here.
Sore throats are common after a dry flight or a windy day outside. You can buy basic throat lozenges at pharmacies and in many supermarkets or convenience stores, but the range is narrow and tends toward menthol or mild herbal flavors. If you prefer a specific kind, such as ginger, strong menthol, honey lemon, or a particular herbal blend, bring a pack from home. The ones you carry will almost certainly be better than what you find here.
Inhalers & Prescription Medication
Inhalers, antibiotics, and most prescription medications require a valid prescription in Iceland. Bring enough supply for your entire trip, plus extra in case of delays. If you run out or lose medication, visit Læknavaktin (after hours medical service) where a doctor can issue a temporary prescription. The pharmacy at Landspítali University Hospital can also help with urgent prescription needs during business hours.
Travelling With Prescription Medication
You can bring your own prescription medication into Iceland for personal use. A few habits keep it simple at the border and if you need help here:
- Keep medicine in its original labelled packaging.
- Carry a copy of your prescription or a short doctor's letter, in English if possible.
- Pack enough for the whole trip plus a few extra days for delays, and keep it in your hand luggage.
- For controlled medicines (strong painkillers, ADHD medication, sedatives), the letter matters more, and larger quantities can need documentation.
Rules for controlled substances vary by drug and by your home country, so for anything sensitive confirm the specifics with the Icelandic Medicines Agency (Lyfjastofnun) or your embassy before you fly. If you do run out here, Læknavaktin can issue a temporary prescription.
Vitamins, Supplements & CBD
Everyday vitamins and mineral supplements in normal personal quantities are fine at Keflavík. Standard multivitamins, vitamin D3, B12, magnesium, iron, fish oil and similar are not a customs issue. A few honest caveats:
- Keep everything in the original labelled packaging. Loose pills in a plastic bag look worse than they are.
- If you take a lot, carry a short printed list of what you take and why. Customs almost never asks, but if they do, the list ends the conversation quickly.
- Herbal supplements: most are fine, but a few plants are restricted in Iceland and the EU (for example ephedra, kava, and comfrey). High-dose melatonin is prescription-only here. If you take something unusual, google the active ingredient plus "Lyfjastofnun" before you fly.
- CBD is not legal in Iceland. That includes CBD oil, gummies, and topical creams, even if legal at home. Leave it. Do not risk it in checked or hand luggage.
- Prescription-strength vitamins (like prescribed high-dose D or B12 injections): treat these like any prescription medicine, bring the label and a doctor's note.
Buying supplements here works too, most pharmacies and larger supermarkets (Krónan, Hagkaup, Nettó) stock the basics, and Heilsuhúsið is a dedicated health-food chain. Prices are higher than at home, so if you rely on a specific brand, bring it.
Contact Lens Solution Is Harder to Find Than You Think
Contact lens solution is not sold over the counter in Iceland. It sits behind the pharmacy counter, stock is inconsistent, and pharmacies close early with limited weekend hours. Visitors regularly run out and struggle to find it, especially outside Reykjavík. Pack more than you think you need, bring a backup bottle, and travel with your glasses as a fallback. If you do run out, your best bet is Lyfja Smáratorg or Apótekarinn Austurver (both open until midnight). Call ahead to confirm they have your specific solution in stock.
Food Allergies in Iceland
Fish, dairy, and shellfish show up in places you might not expect. Skyr appears in desserts, fish stock flavours soups you would assume are vegetarian, and harðfiskur (dried fish) is a common bar snack. If you have a severe allergy, do not rely on menu descriptions alone.
In restaurants, most servers speak excellent English. Say clearly what you cannot eat. If your allergy is life-threatening, mention it when you order and again when the food arrives.
Epinephrine auto-injectors: Available at pharmacies but require a prescription. If you rely on one, bring your own supply and keep it with you at all times. Do not assume you can replace it easily once you are here.
Pharmacies (Apótek)
Pharmacies in Iceland require a prescription for many medications that may be available over-the-counter in other countries. If you need specific medication, bring enough supply or a valid prescription.
Common chains: Lyfja, Apótekarinn
Typical hours: roughly 09:00–18:00 on weekdays, shorter on weekends. Several stay open late or on Sundays (see below).
Is a Pharmacy Open on Sundays?
Yes. Most pharmacies close or run short hours on Sundays, but several stay open. Which one is closest depends on where you are staying. Here are the practical options.
If you are downtown or in the west (Grandi)
Two pharmacies sit almost next to each other on Fiskislóð, out at the Grandi harbour. From central Laugavegur that is roughly a 20 to 25 minute walk, or about a 5 to 7 minute taxi ride. If you are already near the Old Harbour, it is closer to a 10 minute walk.
- Lyfja Granda, Fiskislóð 3. Sunday 11:00 to 19:00. Phone 512 3770.
- Apótekarinn Granda, Fiskislóð 1. Sunday 11:00 to 19:00. Phone 561 4600.
Right on Laugavegur (short window)
ÍslandsApótek, Laugavegur 46, is the one small pharmacy in the middle of the main street. It does open on Sundays, but only 12:00 to 16:00, so the window is easy to miss. Phone 414 4646.
Longest, most reliable Sunday hours (east side, near Hlemmur)
If you want the safest bet, head to Lágmúli or Háaleitisbraut. From the Hlemmur end of Laugavegur it is about a 20 to 25 minute walk or a 5 to 7 minute drive.
- Lyfja Lágmúli, Lágmúli 5. Open 08:00 to 24:00 every day, Sundays included. Phone 533 2300.
- Apótekarinn Austurveri, Háaleitisbraut 68. Sunday 09:00 to 24:00. Phone 581 2101.
Call before you go. Icelandic opening hours drift, and holiday Sundays can differ. A quick call to the branch saves a wasted trip. Overnight, use the 24-hour drive-through below or call the medical helpline 1700.
After-Hours Options
If you need a pharmacy outside regular hours, options are limited but available.
Lyfjaval Hæðasmára bílaapótek (24/7 drive-through)
Hæðasmári 4, Kópavogur. Phone: 577 1160. About a 15-minute drive south of downtown Reykjavík via Kringlumýrarbraut toward Smáralind.
The drive-through hatch (bílalúga) is open 24 hours a day, every day. The walk-in shop is weekdays 10:00–18:00 only, so at night you use the drive-through window. If you do not have a car, take a taxi (Hreyfill 588 5522 or BSR 561 0000). There is no Uber, Lyft, or Bolt in Iceland.
Roughly pronounced "Lif-va-vel bee-la-a-po-tek Hye-thas-mow-ri." If that feels impossible at 2 a.m., show your driver the address Hæðasmári 4 or the block above.
Lyfja Smáratorg
Open 08:00–24:00 daily. Located in Smáratorg, Kópavogur.
Apótekarinn Austurver
Open 08:00–24:00 weekdays, 09:00–24:00 weekends. Also the location of Læknavaktin (after-hours, non-emergency medical service).
Emergency Medical Services
For medical emergencies, call 112. Iceland has excellent emergency medical services with well-equipped hospitals and trained personnel.
Landspítali University Hospital
Main hospital in Reykjavík with 24 hour emergency services. Has an on-site Apótek pharmacy during business hours.
Akureyri Hospital
Main hospital in North Iceland for emergencies outside the capital area.
Health Helpline
For non-emergency medical advice, you can call the health helpline. They can provide guidance on whether you need to see a doctor.
1700
Non-emergency health information line
Is Healthcare Free for Tourists in Iceland?
No. Iceland does not offer free healthcare to visitors. What you pay depends on where you are from, and travel insurance with medical cover is the honest safety net for everyone.
Icelanders and legal residents: Covered by the national system after paying a modest patient fee for visits and prescriptions.
EU/EEA visitors: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides some coverage but does not replace travel insurance. You may still face out-of-pocket costs.
US visitors: Most American health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses abroad. If you need medical attention in Iceland, you will likely pay the full cost upfront. Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended before your trip.
Other international visitors: Healthcare costs are generally paid out of pocket. Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended before arriving in Iceland.
Emergencies: Emergency care via 112 is available to everyone, regardless of insurance status. You will not be turned away in an emergency.
Questions visitors often ask
Can I buy painkillers in Iceland?
Yes, but only at pharmacies (Apótek). They are not sold in supermarkets or convenience stores.
Can I get an inhaler without a prescription?
No. Inhalers require a prescription in Iceland. If you run out, visit Læknavaktin (after hours doctor) for a temporary prescription.
Is there a pharmacy at Landspítali?
Yes. There is an Apótek pharmacy on the Landspítali University Hospital campus, open during regular business hours.
Can I buy contact lens solution in Iceland?
Yes, but only at pharmacies (Apótek), behind the counter. Not in supermarkets or 10-11. Stock is inconsistent and pharmacies close early. Pack extra and bring your glasses as a backup.
What if I have a food allergy?
Fish, dairy, and shellfish appear in many Icelandic dishes. Tell your server clearly in English. Bring your own epinephrine auto-injector, as replacements require a prescription here.
What is 1700?
The non-emergency health advice line. Call for medical guidance when it is not an emergency. For emergencies, always call 112.
Do I need travel insurance for Iceland?
Strongly recommended. EU/EEA visitors get partial EHIC coverage, but it does not replace travel insurance. US visitors typically have no coverage abroad.
Is healthcare free in Iceland for tourists?
No. Visitors generally pay out of pocket. Emergency care via 112 is available to everyone, but costs may apply.
Medical Words You Will See in Icelandic Pharmacies
Staff speak English, so you do not need to memorise these. They just help you recognise a sign, a shelf label, or a receipt.
Apótek — pharmacy
Lausasölulyf — over-the-counter medicine
Lyfseðill — prescription
Verkjalyf — painkillers
Hitalækkandi — fever reducer
Hóstasaft — cough syrup
Nefúði — nasal spray
Ofnæmislyf — allergy medicine
Sýklalyf — antibiotics
Plástur — plaster / band-aid
Læknavaktin — after-hours doctor
Bráðamóttaka — emergency room