News

New Climate Action Plan - Iceland will fulfil its commitments and more

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson and Minister of Transport and Local Government Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson presented the second version of the Climate Action Plan today.

Foreign Affairs: Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020

Foreign Affairs: Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð 17. júni 2020.

Easing of restrictions on gatherings on 15 June

On June 15, the Minister of Health announced a further relaxation of the restrictions of gatherings that have been in place due to COVID-19. The main change is that larger gatherings will now be limited to 500 people, up from 200 people. The existing restrictions for swimming pools and fitness centres at 75% of the maximum capacity will also expire on 15 June.

Travellers to be tested at border - Science to guide path to the easing of travel restrictions

Starting today, Monday 15 June, Iceland will offer voluntary testing for COVID-19 as an alternative to a 14-day quarantine. This is the first step in a carefully managed process to open the country to the flow of international travel.

Changes in travel restrictions until 1 July

Iceland will continue to implement the EU/Schengen travel restrictions, which have now been extended until 1 July. EU, EFTA, and UK nationals will continue to be able to enter Iceland under the condition that they preregister and undergo either a test or a two-week quarantine upon arrival.

Progress of the plan for removal of Capital Controls

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs today published a report on the progress of plans to remove restrictions on cross-border capital movements and foreign currency trading. The minister shall make a report on the progress public at six-month intervals until such restrictions are finally removed.

Regulation on quarantine, isolation and testing for COVID-19 at the border

On 15 June a new and amended regulations regarding on quarantine, isolation, testing for COVID-19 will take effect. The changes are in line with the recommendations of the Chief Epidemiologist.

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð 11. júni 2020.

Aukaopnunartímar vegna utankjörfundar

Sendiráðið tekur á móti kjósendum alla virka daga frá kl. 9-16. Bætt hefur verið við opnunartíma fyrir kjósendur sem að eiga erfitt með að mæta á hefðbundnum skrifstofutíma. Sendiráðið verður því einnig opið: júní frá kl. 16-18 júní frá kl. 16-18 júní frá kl. 16-18

Information for travellers arriving in Iceland from 15 June 2020

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir says utmost care is being taken not to jeopardize the success achieved in Iceland during the COVID-19 pandemic as Iceland prepares to offer tests for travelers on the 15 June 2020.

Information for travellers arriving in Iceland from 15 June 2020

The Chief Epidemiologist has today published information for travellers arriving in Iceland on 15 June or later.

Fjölþátta ógnir grafa undan réttarríki og lýðræði.

Fjölþátta ógnir grafa undan réttarríki og lýðræði.

„Við lifum á skeggöld og skálmöld“

Pétur Benediktsson var skipaður sendifulltrúi Íslands í London í upphafi síðari heimsstyrjaldarinnar.

Testing for international arrivals to start on 15 June​

The Government has today confirmed its plans of offering the option of a COVID-19 test from 15 June to all international arrivals as an alternative to the two-week quarantine requirement, in place since April.

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð 1. júni 2020.

Ný viðskiptaáætlun sendiráðs Íslands í Kaupmannahöfn komin út

Á grundvelli nýrrar framtíðarstefnu stjórnvalda og atvinnulífs fyrir íslenskan útflutning, sem Íslandsstofa kynnti síðastliðið haust, hefur sendiráðið í Kaupmannahöfn unnið greiningu á danska markaðnum, þróun viðskipta á milli landanna og tækifærum fyrir íslenskt atvinnulíf.

Treasury issues eurobond

Today the Republic of Iceland issued bonds in the amount of 500 million euros, the equivalent of ISK 76bn. The bonds bear fixed interest of 0.625% and have a 6-year maturity, offering investors a yield of 0.667%.

Report of the working group on COVID-19 testing for international arrivals

A working group appointed by the Minister of Health to prepare for COVID-19 testing for international arrivals submitted their report yesterday.

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla í Bretlandi

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna forsetakosninganna 2020 hefst 26. maí .

Easing of restrictions on gatherings

The Ministry of Health has announced the outlines for a significant easing of restrictions on gatherings. The new measures take effect on 25 May. Like all prior measures, they are in adherence to the recommendations issued by the Chief Epidemiologist.

Fitch Revises Iceland's Outlook to Negative; Affirms at A

Fitch Ratings has revised Iceland’s Outlook to Negative from Stable and affirmed Iceland’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A’.

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna forsetakosninga 2020

Sendiráðið vekur athygli á að utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna forsetakosninga 2020 hefst 25. maí. Tekið er á móti kjósendum í sendiráðinu alla virka daga á milli kl. 9:00-16:00 fram til 26. júní.…

S&P Global Ratings Affirms Iceland´s ratings at 'A/A-1'; Outlook Remains Stable

International rating agency S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Iceland’s sovereign ratings at A/A-1 with a stable outlook. The rating agency assumes that Iceland´s economy will contract by 7.5% in 2020, reflecting Covid-19´s significant blow to the tourism sector. Iceland´s modest net general government debt enables a comfortable response to the Covid-19 fallout and economic downturn.

Temporary travel restrictions extended until 15 June

The travel restrictions that came into effect on 20 March have been extended until 15 June 2020, in accordance with the EU Commission recommendation to the Schengen Member States. As a member of the Schengen Area, Iceland has implemented the travel restrictions imposed for the Schengen Area and the European Union.…

ODIHR staðið undir nafni í þágu lýðræðis og mannréttinda í Evrópu.

Iceland jumps four spots on ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Europe Map and Index

Iceland jumps up four places on ILGA-Europe‘s Rainbow Europe 2020 Map and Index, a review of the legal and policy situation for LGBTI people in Europe. Iceland is now in the 14th spot, placing 18th last year (2019).

Iceland and UK to further strengthen relations

Iceland and the United Kingdom have today agreed on a Joint Vision outlining the main areas of cooperation between the two countries for the next 10 years.

Testing for international arrivals could start in June​

The Government of Iceland has today announced it is expected to start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June 2020, while from 15 May some professionals arriving in Iceland including scientists, filmmakers and athletes will eligible for a modified quarantine.…

Webpage on the Chairmanship of the Icelandic Prime Minister in the Council of Women World Leaders

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, became Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders in February 2020. A special webpage dedicated to her chairmanship in the council has been launched. The webpage also features a news section on Icelandic and International measures on promoting gender equality.

276 million ISK in response to COVID-19 in developing countries

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has announced a comprehensive package of 276 million Icelandic króna (ISK) as a first response in the fight against COVID-19 in developing countries.

Iceland eases restrictions - all children's activities back to normal

Monday marked the start of substantial easing of the social distancing measures that have been in place in Iceland since 16 March. All children's activities are back to normal, gatherings of up to 50 people are now allowed, businesses that require close proximity with customers can be resumed and several other restrictions have been lifted.

Prime Minister of Iceland and Austrian Minister of Equality discuss COVID-19 and gender equality

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland and Susanne Raab, Federal Minister for Women and Integration in Austria had, earlier this week, a conference call where they discussed the effects of the current coronavirus pandemic on women and gender equality and COVID-19 recovery measures.

Women Leaders Virtual Roundtable on COVID-19

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, participated last week in a Women Leaders Virtual Roundtable on COVID-19 and the Future which was convened by UN Women and OECD to address the disproportionately negative impact the pandemic has had on women and girls and how to prevent the crisis from becoming a major backlash for the fight for gender equality.

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð 1. maí 2020.

Government of Iceland announces increased support for companies and extension of part-time unemployment benefits

Icelandic companies that have suffered substantial revenue losses due to the COVID-19 crisis will be given the opportunity to apply for government support to pay a portion of salary costs during the employee notice period, protecting workers’ rights and preventing a wave of corporate insolvencies.

Iceland Introduces Temporary Schengen Border Controls and 14-day Quarantine for International Arrivals

In accordance with recommendations from Iceland’s Chief Epidemiologist, the Minister of Health has changed the current rules restrictions on arrivals due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Government of Iceland Announces Second Phase of Economic Response Package to the COVID-19 Crisis

Worth up to 420m USD, the latest phase of the economic response focuses on support and protections for small enterprises, innovation and vulnerable groups.

Agreement on guarantee of credit institutions’ supplemental loans to businesses

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Central Bank of Iceland have signed an agreement laying down terms and conditions for Treasury guarantees of credit institutions’ supplemental lending to businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restrictions to be gradually lifted starting 4 May

At a press conference today, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Justice introduced steps to lift the restrictions currently in place in Iceland due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Rannsóknasetur um hafið, loftslag og samfélag í samvinnu Carlsbergsjóðsins, íslenskra stjórnvalda og Rannsóknasjóðs í tilefni af 80 og 90 ára afmæli Margrétar Danadrottningar og Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur

Í tilefni af 80 ára afmæli Margrétar Danadrottningar hinn 16. apríl og 90 ára afmæli Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur, fyrrverandi forseta Íslands, hinn 15. apríl í ár setur Carlsbergsjóðurinn á fót dansk-íslenskt rannsóknasetur í samvinnu við íslensk stjórnvöld.

Nordic cooperation vital post COVID-19

The Nordic Ministers of business met to discuss ways ways to focus on a cross-Nordic approach to re-energising the trade, industries, tourism, service sectors and innovative focused companies in the Nordic countries following the COVID-19 pandemic.

80th anniversary of the Icelandic Foreign Service

April marks the 80th anniversary of the Icelandic Foreign Service.

Covid-19 epidemic receding in Iceland - 295 new infections in the past seven days and 363 recoveries

Iceland's Chief Epidemiologists said in today's press briefing that the data suggests that the outbreak of Covid-19 in Iceland is showing clear signs of deceleration. He advises that the apparent success is precarious, and minor setbacks can change the outlook dramatically.

Moody´s publishes credit opinion on Iceland – rating unchanged at A2 with a stable outlook

Today, international rating agency Moody´s Investors Service published an updated credit opinion. The opinion does not entail a rating revision and Iceland’s sovereign rating remains at A2 with a stable outlook.

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð frá 9. til 13. april 2020. Gleðilegar Páskar!

Assisting Icelanders returning home

Icelandic Diplomatic Missions around the world have had to shorten their opening hours due to the coronavirus pandemic. Our staff continue to serve from home via phone, email and other electronic means. Icelandic citizens who need an Emergency Passport or intend to apply for a regular Passport are encouraged to contact the relevant Diplomatic Missions directly.

Strict measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Iceland

Icelandic authorities are taking strict measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease in the country.

Breyttur opnunartími sendiráðsins

Sendiráðið vekur athygli á breyttum opnunartíma, en frá og með miðvikudeginum 25. mars er afgreiðsla sendiráðsins opin alla virka daga frá kl 10:00-14:00. Svarað er í síma sendiráðsins +45 3318 1050 virka daga milli kl. 9:00-16:00.