Published: August 12, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Iceland Travel Advisory and Iceland Country Information Page.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Reykjavik
Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavik.
Tel: +354 595-2200; After-hours Emergencies: +354 595-2255.
Hours: 08:00-17:00, Monday-Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter
There is no active Country Chapter in Iceland.
Contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.
Iceland Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Iceland.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Reykjavik as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Iceland.
Based on information from the Icelandic National Police, local news sources, and previous reports, crime rates continue to be lower than in most developed countries, and countries of similar size and demographics. The low level of crime and very low level of violent crime is due to a high standard of living, lack of socio-economic tensions, small population, strong social attitudes against criminality, high level of trust in law enforcement, and a well-trained, highly educated police force.
Iceland has had a homicide average of less than three per year for the last several decades. Per the Office of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP), there were three homicides in 2022, four in 2023, and seven in 2024. All but one homicide in 2023 and one homicide in 2024 were related to domestic violence. The NCIP does not consider the minor fluctuations in 2023 and 2024 as evidence of increasing violence that impacts the public, as the noted incidents stemmed from in-home domestic violence. The NCIP notes that there has been an increase in non-fatal organized crime/drug-related stabbings and non-weapon assaults that so far have been inter-group incidents and have not impacted the general public.
The Reykjavik Metropolitan area continues to see an increasing level of petty crime and minor assaults in direct correlation with the increased number of tourists. Reykjavik also has a higher number of reports of domestic violence, sexual assaults, automobile thefts, vandalisms, property damage, and other street crimes when compared against the rest of Iceland, which is typical for any large urban area. It is worth noting that Reykjavik is the only large urban area in Iceland but relative to the United States, it is comparable to a large town. These numbers are still very low when compared to the United States or Europe. Police attribute most of these crimes to juvenile delinquents, drug users, unhoused persons, and tourists. According to the police, the rise in pickpocketing is a direct result of an influx of drug users and unhoused persons, coupled with the increasing presence of tourists.
The Government of Iceland has taken steps to detect and combat against trafficking in persons by preliminary action and reorganization of the Icelandic National Police force.
Police have identified several small, organized crime groups operating to smuggle drugs into Iceland. Since 2013, authorities have increased pressure on these organizations by denying entry and deporting known members and associates. These measures have negatively impacted these organization’s reach and effectiveness in Iceland. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the police have continued to employ additional resources as well as enlist the support of external law enforcement agencies in the fight against organized crime in Iceland, with positive results. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Copenhagen have worked extensively with the Metropolitan Police Organized Crime Division on cross-border cases and educational training. While affiliation with outlaw motorcycle gangs is illegal in Iceland, there are a few suspected persons in Iceland that claim membership to or amplify social media material of the Hell’s Angels, Bandidos, and Outlaws.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Iceland.
While extremely uncommon, and without a reported case in over a decade, historical cases involved drug-related debt collection and domestic/parental disputes. There have been no reported cases of political kidnappings.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Reykjavik as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Iceland.
According to the NCIP, there is no known international or transnational terrorist threat against U.S. interests in Iceland. Iceland is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates all internal border controls between member states. With the lack of stringent border controls, the movement of international terrorists has become a rising concern throughout Europe in recent years. In 2023, the Department of State designated the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) as a terrorist group. While most known NRM members are present across the other Nordic countries, the NCIP is aware of some NRM adherents in Iceland. These adherents predominantly amplify NRM social media posts and messaging but to this date have not taken any action. These individuals are known and heavily monitored by the NCIP.
In 2022, police arrested four people in connection to a terror plot involving 3-D printed semi-automatic weapons. They planned to target “various institutions of society” and “citizens of the state.” These individuals are still pending trial for the offense.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Reykjavik as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Iceland. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Elections in Iceland have been very safe, with no reports of violence or any other types of harassment during elections. The political stability is high and general parliament elections are normally held every four years with the November 2024 polls concluding peacefully. Iceland has a multi-political party system.
Protests & Demonstrations
While previously not very common in Iceland, demonstrations have become a more regular occurrence following the October 2023 start of the Israel-Hamas conflict and Iceland’s stricter policies to deport asylum seekers and refugees. The Iceland Palestine Organization and its loosely subordinate partners conduct demonstrations about once or twice a month in response to the Gaza crisis, or U.S. support for Israel. The group No Borders Iceland and loosely subordinate partners facilitate demonstrations about once a month to protest Iceland’s stricter policies to deport asylum seekers and refugees. Demonstrations are mostly peaceful and take the form of marches in downtown Reykjavik, near Icelandic government buildings, or at the U.S. embassy. While there have been instances of protesters from different groups throwing paint on buildings and otherwise committing acts of light vandalism, they rarely accost tourists or persons on the periphery of demonstrations. Historically, the NRM has distributed white nationalist propaganda throughout country, but incidents have not occurred since 2022.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Please refer to the Protests & Demonstrations section above. Generally, the U.S. Embassy has witnessed several protests since 2023concerning U.S. foreign policy. Protests at the U.S. Embassy are mostly non-violent but do sometimes include protesters throwing paint on the perimeter wall and otherwise committing acts of light vandalism. The embassy regularly maintains normal operations during protests but will note any changes via STEP.
Law Enforcement
The NCIP serves as the operational and administrative headquarters for Iceland’s nine administrative police districts. Each of the nine police districts is led by a chief of police. The police have a national counterterrorism unit “Viking Squad,” which consists of specially trained officers who can respond quickly to large-scale emergencies.
The Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG) is Iceland’s maritime law enforcement arm. It receives assistance from the voluntary search and rescue organization, Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, or ICE-SAR), with approximately 4,000 on-call volunteers.
The national police, the nine regional police forces, and the ICG fall under the purview of the Ministry of Justice. Iceland has no military.
Police Response
Iceland has just over 700 active duty and reserve police officers, almost of all of whom are unarmed while on duty. Since 2015, Icelandic law has equipped marked police vehicles with sidearms, which operate under a strict system of controls and use. While the police have adequate training and operate professionally, they are understaffed. Iceland’s very low crime rate permits the police to maintain an average response time on par with other European cities. In general, the police do not respond to traffic accidents unless there are injuries, or the road becomes blocked.
The emergency line in Iceland for police, fire, and ambulance response is 112. Operators and dispatchers speak fluent English.
Icelandic Office of National Preparedness has a smartphone application (SAFE TRAVEL) and website (SafeTravel.is) that allows travelers to notify a central emergency response center of their whereabouts; this can drastically reduce response time in the event of a search and rescue operations. Victims of crime may also visit a local police station for assistance: Metropolitan Police, Hverfisgata 113 – 115, 101 Reykjavik, Tel: (+354) 444-1000. Further, the U.S. Embassy recommends travels utilize Vedur.is and Road.is for up-to-the-minute weather and road conditions, respectively, prior to venturing outside the Reykjavik Metropolitan area. Both of these services have apps available to download to mobile devices.
In the event of an emergency outside of the Reykjavik Metropolitan area, and when the use of ordinary ground vehicles or aircraft is not possible, ICG emergency helicopters may be available. The ICG operates three rescue helicopters (Aerospatiale Super Puma) based in Reykjavík. The primary mission is to search and rescue, on shore and at sea. Staff includes two pilots, a rescue technician, a navigator, and a physician.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Iceland, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Iceland.
The Icelandic constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of an arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements.
Icelandic law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements the law effectively. There have been no reports of government corruption.
Cybersecurity
Cyber incidents and attacks continue to rise in Iceland, matching trends in other Nordic countries. Most cyber incidents are cases involving attempts to defraud or deceive individuals via phishing attempts and ransom data. Advanced persistent threat groups with links to foreign governments also conduct cyberespionage in Iceland. The primary targets of these attacks are government entities and manufacturers.
In 2015, Iceland unveiled its National Cyber Security Strategy to protect important elements of the cyber infrastructure and develop solutions to the growing cyber threats that pose a hazard to the government, economy, and citizenry. In 2018, the government pledged to increase its capacity to prevent and respond to cyber security threats. New legislation based on international norms was implemented, and a closer collaboration on the coordination of cyber security between Iceland, partner nations, and leaders in the information technology industry was established.
Import/Export Restrictions
Although whale meat and other products that use whale parts are sold throughout Iceland, the Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to bring back whale products to the United States. Any importation of products containing whale to the United States will result in the seizure of the goods and possible criminal prosecution. Penalties include jail time and fines of up to $10,000.
There are no restrictions on the import and use of satellite phones. Body armor, batons, chemical sprays, restraints, firearms, edged weapons, or any object of a similar nature as previously listed cannot be brought into Iceland.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
