The Healthcare System

The country is divided into seven healthcare districts. In the districts you can find healthcare institutions and/or health care centres. Healthcare centres provide general healthcare services for the district, such as primary healthcare, clinical testing, medical treatment, nursing in hospitals, medical rehabilitation services, nursing for the elderly, dentistry, and patient consultations.

Everyone who has legal residency in Iceland for six consecutive months is covered by the Icelandic health insurance. Icelandic Health Insurance determines whether citizens of EEA and EFTA countries are eligible to transfer their health insurance rights to Iceland.

The Icelandic healthcare system uses a co-payment system which reduces the expenses for people who frequently need to access healthcare.

There amount people have to pay reaches a maximum. The costs are lower for the elderly, the disabled and children. Payments for services provided at healthcare centres and hospitals are covered by the system, as well as health services for self-employed doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and psychologists.

The maximum amount people have to pay does change every now and then. To see the current and updated amounts, please visit this page.

For a more information about the Icelandic healthcare system in general visit this page.

The state runs a website called Heilsuvera, where you will find educational materials about diseases, prevention and preventive ways to a healthier and better life.

On the website, you can log in to “Mínar síður” (My pages) where you can book appointments, renew medications, communicate securely with healthcare professionals and more. You need to log in using electronic ID (Rafræn skilríki).

The website is still only in Icelandic but it´s easy to find information about what phone number to call for assistance (Símnaráðgjöf Heilsuveru) and how to open up the online chat (Netspjall Heilsuveru). Both services are open most of the day, all days of the week.

Are you a healthcare professional or educated and able to work as one? Are you interested in working as a healthcare professional in Iceland?

The Directorate of Health grants licenses to use the professional title of an authorised healthcare profession and to practice as such in Iceland.

For more information about this and what needs to be done in the case of each profession, visit this site by the Directorate of Health.

If you have specific questions or inquiries regarding this matter, please contact the Directorate of Health via starfsleyfi@landlaeknir.is