Countries › Iceland
Iceland
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- ISK
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 30–50 | 80 (gravel), 90 | — |
| With a trailer or caravan | 30–50 | 80 | — |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes A few tolls
Only toll: the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel near Akureyri, paid online.
Low-emission zones
None known for cars and RVs.
Boondocking Banned
Since 2015, sleeping in an RV, van or tent trailer outside campgrounds is banned unless the landowner agrees.
Mandatory equipment
- Dipped headlights on in daytime
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 14.
Good to know
- F-roads (highlands): 4×4 only, open in summer, rivers to ford.
- Off-road driving banned and heavily fined.
- North American vehicle: ferry from Denmark (Seyðisfjörður).
Frequently asked questions
- Iceland: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Iceland: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 30–50 in town, 80 (gravel), 90 on rural roads, — on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, — on motorways.
- Iceland: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Only toll: the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel near Akureyri, paid online.
- Iceland: are there low emission zones?
- None known for cars and RVs.
- Iceland: is wild camping allowed?
- Banned. Since 2015, sleeping in an RV, van or tent trailer outside campgrounds is banned unless the landowner agrees.
- Iceland: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Dipped headlights on in daytime, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 1 to April 14.