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Iceland (IS)

Iceland is a North Atlantic volcanic island nation of extraordinary natural beauty — home to geysers, glaciers, lava fields, midnight sun, the Northern Lights, and some of the world's most active volcanoes.

Capital: Reykjavik
Region: Europe
Language: Icelandic
Currency: ISK (kr)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 85)
Emergency: 112
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Bringing Pets to Iceland

Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.

Microchip
Required
Health certificate
Required
Import permit
Required
Quarantine
Required

Quarantine duration: Mandatory 2-week quarantine at an approved quarantine station upon arrival (Einangrunarstöðin í Reykjanesbæ or Einangrunarstöðin Mósel). This applies to all dogs and cats regardless of origin. Keflavík Airport is the only approved port of entry. Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment is also mandatory within 1–5 days before arrival for dogs.

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccination — required; titre test at least 30 days after vaccination (before travel) Leptospirosis (dogs) — required at least 14 days before entry Distemper (CDV) — required at least 14 days before entry Infectious canine hepatitis (CAV) — required at least 14 days before entry Canine parvovirus (CPV) — required at least 14 days before entry Canine parainfluenza (CPiV) — required at least 14 days before entry Feline calicivirus (cats) Feline panleukopenia (cats) Feline rhinotracheitis/herpesvirus (cats)

Restricted Breeds

Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog — all prohibitedFila Brasileiro — prohibitedTosa Inu — prohibitedDogo Argentino — prohibitedCane Corso — prohibitedPerro de Presa Canario — prohibitedBoerboel — prohibitedWolf-dog hybrids (up to 10 generations from wolf ancestry) — prohibitedDogs with comparable physique and/or temperament to the above — prohibitedVerify the current list at Matvælastofnun (mast.is) before travel

💰 Costs

Pre-travel: EU Pet Passport ISK 6,000–10,000; microchipping ISK 3,000–6,000; rabies vaccination ISK 4,000–8,000; tapeworm treatment ISK 2,000–4,000. Import permit application: approximately ISK 10,000–20,000. Veterinary inspection on arrival at Keflavík Airport (Matvælastofnun inspection): ISK 10,000–25,000+ depending on thoroughness of inspection required. Total estimated cost for EU country pet import with correct documentation: ISK 40,000–80,000.

🐕 Dog Tax / Registration

Reykjavik municipality charges an annual dog registration and tax fee. Dogs must be registered with the municipality (Reykjavíkurborg). Annual fee approximately ISK 15,000–20,000 (2026). Dogs must be on leash in urban areas.

Register with an Icelandic veterinarian (dýralæknir) shortly after arrival. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (Matvælastofnun / MAST) maintains a register of approved veterinarians. Iceland has good veterinary services in the capital area. Annual Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment is required for dogs in Iceland and must be recorded.

📋 Relocation Process

1. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard). 2. Get required vaccinations — rabies must be administered at least 21 days before travel. 3. Obtain an EU Pet Passport from your vet. 4. Apply for an import permit from Matvælastofnun (MAST — the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority) at mast.is before travel. 5. Get the mandatory tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment from a vet within 1–5 days of entering Iceland — record in the Pet Passport. 6. On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, present all documentation at the MAST inspection station (kjötskoðunarmaður). Animals arriving without proper documentation may be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's expense.

Iceland is a rabies-free country and takes this very seriously. The import process is strict. Do not attempt to bring an animal without the complete documentation set — incorrect documentation at the airport means the animal cannot enter Iceland and must return on the next available flight at your expense. Start the process at least 3 months before your planned move. Contact Matvælastofnun (mast.is) for the most current requirements as they can change. Cats from non-EU countries face more complex requirements including possible quarantine. Fish, reptiles, birds, and exotic animals have separate and more complex import rules. IMPORTANT: Iceland has restrictions on certain animals entirely — some reptile and amphibian species are prohibited due to ecological concerns.