News

COVID-19: Stricter requirements for quarantine of arriving passengers coming from high-risk areas

A new regulation by the Minister of Health on quarantine and isolation and COVID-19 testing at the Icelandic border will take effect on Tuesday 27 April. The regulation introduces obligation for arriving passengers to stay in a quarantine facility if they come from countries with high infection rate of COVID-19 as defined by the regulation.…

COVID-19: Temporary introduction of stricter border measures

The Government of Iceland has announced temporary border measures to counter the domestic spread of COVID-19. These measures aim to create conditions to allow lifting domestic restrictions as much as possible.…

Ísland aðili að samstarfsvettvangi um öryggis- og varnarmál

Ísland gerðist í dag aðili að samstarfsvettvangi líkt þenkjandi ríkja í Norður-Evrópu um öryggis- og varnarmál sem Bretar leiða undir merkjum sameiginlegrar viðbragðssveitar. Sturla Sigurjónsson, sendiherra Íslands í London undirritaði samkomulag þessa efnis í dag ásamt Ben Wallace varnarmálaráðherra Bretlands.

IMF mission concludes Article IV Consultation with Icelandic Authorities and other stakeholders

The International Monetary Fund published its Concluding Statement today, after meeting with the Icelandic Authorities and other stakeholders over the past three weeks.

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna tillagna um sameiningu sveitarfélaga

Sendiráðið vekur athygli á að utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna tillagna um sameiningu sveitarfélaganna Skútustaðahrepps og Þingeyjarsveitar annars vegar og Blönduósbæjar, Húnavatnshrepps, Skagabyggðar og Sveitarfélagsins Skagastrandar hins vegar hófst 10. apríl sl.

COVID-19: Relaxation of restrictions on gatherings and in schools from 15 April

The general restrictions will go from 10 to 20 persons; sports, swimming and health centre activities will resume, with restrictions; as will stage art activities; and the ski areas can reopen.…

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla vegna tillagna um sameiningu sveitarfélaga

Kosning fer fram 5. júní en utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla er hafin.

COVID-19: Border measures - amended requirements for quarantine

As of April 9, 2021, new regulation no. 375/2021 is in effect about quarantine and isolation and testing at the Icelandic border due to COVID-19. Clearer requirements are made for home quarantine, regarding housing and rules of conduct. Those who are unable to stay in a home quarantine that fulfils the requirements will need to stay at a quarantine facility.…

Statement - In light of the Reykjavik District Court’s decision regarding an obligation for quarantining at a quarantine facility:

In light of the Reykjavik District Court’s decision regarding the Chief Epidemiologist’s requirement regarding an obligation for quarantining at a quarantine facility, the Chief Epidemiologist and the Ministry of Health wish to issue the following statement:

FAQ regarding amended rules at the borders on testing and quarantine

As of April 1, 2021 new regulations no. 355/2021 are in effect about quarantine and isolation and testing at the Icelandic border due to COVID-19. With regards to inquiries made about quarantine houses and other novelties related to this regulatory change, Icelandic authorities have compiled the main questions and answers to them:

COVID-19: Spain removed from the list of countries identified as risk zones

The Ministry of Health has decided to remove mainland Spain from the Chief Epidemiologist´s list of countries identifying the countries defined as risk zones due to high notification rates of new COVID-19 infections.…

COVID-19: Amended rules at the borders on testing and quarantine on the 1st of April

Children born in 2005 or later shall be tested at the borders of Iceland as from the coming 1st of April. - Passengers who submit a vaccination certificate or a certificate of a prior infection will be required to undergo one test upon arrival to the country.…

Fitch Affirms Iceland at 'A'; Outlook Negative

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iceland’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A’ with a Negative Outlook.

Regulation exempting vaccinated non-Schengen travellers from travel restrictions to come into force on 6 April

The Minister of Justice of Iceland has decided that the previously announced decision to exempt from travel restrictions those who can provide proof of vaccination or prior infection will take effect on 6 April. The change in regulation will allow travellers from non-Schengen countries, who meet the criteria, to travel to Iceland for non-essential reasons.

Stricter measures intended to stop new outbreak in Iceland

The Government of Iceland announced yesterday measures to prevent a potential new wave of COVID-19 infections. After multiple clusters of infections were detected (largely in two primary schools in Iceland), these new measures will remain in place for three weeks. A total of 89 people in Iceland are currently in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.…

COVID-19: Tighter restrictions take effect at midnight; gatherings restricted to 10 persons

A stricter regime of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic takes effect throughout Iceland as from midnight tonight, Wednesday 24 March 2021. Most gatherings will be limited to 10 people, not counting children born in or after 2015. Junior schools (age 6 to 16), music schools, senior schools and universities will be closed until the beginning of the Easter holidays.…

Stricter COVID-19 measures at the Icelandic border

Iceland’s Minister of Health has decided to impose stricter border measures at the recommendation of the Chief Epidemiologist. Changes will take effect on 1 April and will affect children and those traveling from areas that are classified as dark red or grey by the ECDC (where the 14-day incidence rate exceeds 500 or insufficient data is available).

Fiscal plan 2022-2026: The right measures delivered progress and a positive outlook

The Government’s measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic have been highly successful, and the medium-term outlook is more favourable than was assumed last year. Households’ disposable income increased in 2020, and the contraction turned out considerably less than previously estimated. These are the main elements of the fiscal plan for 2022-2026, introduced today.

A small volcanic eruption has started in Iceland

At approximately 20.45 last night lava began flowing from a rupture in the ground around Fagradalsfjall near the fishing town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption is considered to be small and due to its location, there is no threat to any populated areas or critical infrastructure.…

Commission on the Status of Women Statement by Katrín Jakobsdóttir

COVID-19: Changes to domestic measures as from 18 March

The Minister of Health has announced changes to the measures against COVID-19 in Iceland taking effect on 18 March; these are based largely on proposals submitted by the Chief Epidemiologist. The changes mainly entail stricter demands regarding the registration of guests attending events and preventive measures to be taken at organised events.…

Sendiherra afhendir trúnaðarbréf sem sendiherra Íslands í Búlgaríu

Helga Hauksdóttir, sendiherra Íslands í Danmörku, afhenti í dag Rumen Radev, forseta Búlgaríu, trúnaðarbréf sitt sem sendiherra Íslands í Búlgaríu með aðsetur í Kaupmannahöfn. Afhendingin fór fram í forsetahöllinni í Sófíu.

Exemption from border measures for vaccinated individuals to be extended to non-Schengen countries

The Icelandic government has announced that all those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to border measures, such as testing and quarantine.…

Minister calls for a global agreement on plastic pollution

Plastic pollution in the Arctic shows that plastic in the oceans is a vast and global problem that calls for an international response.…

North-Atlantic Fisheries Ministers Conference – March 11th, 2021 Effects of COVID-19 on the industry

On March 11, North-Atlantic Fisheries Ministers met virtually to discuss the Effects of the COVID -19 Pandemic on the Fisheries Sector and Seafood markets.

Possible volcanic activity in southwest Iceland

Following a series of earthquakes, a volcanic tremor pulse was detected south of Mt Keilir, in the Reykjanes Peninsula, yesterday afternoon. The area is in southwest Iceland, about 20km (12.5 miles) from Keflavik International Airport and about 15km (less than 10 miles) from the Reykjavík metropolitan area.…

Icelandic film policy from 2020 to 2030

In the spring of 2019, Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Education, Science and Culture, appointed a committee of representatives from both the Icelandic government and the film industry to create a new, comprehensive policy for filmmaking and film culture in Iceland until 2030.

Significant easing of domestic restrictions in Iceland to take effect tomorrow

The Government of Iceland announced today new loosening on COVID-19 measures. The general limit on gatherings will be raised from 20 to 50, with ongoing emphasis on distancing and other personal precautions. As of tomorrow, a general limit of 150 people within confined areas will apply to higher level schooling, including universities.

Foreign Minister Thórdarson addressed the 46th Regular Session of Human Rights Council

Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of Iceland, today warned that the Covid-19 pandemic must not be used to justify long-term restrictions of civil liberties and freedom.

The Government launches the Icelandic Income Database

The Icelandic Income Database is an interactive tool that examines changes in the financial position of different groups in Icelandic society. The data used is provided by Statistics Iceland and is gathered from domestic tax returns for the period of 1991-2019.

Travelers required to present negative PCR test before boarding

New border measures will come into force on February 19 which requires all arriving passengers in Iceland to present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland. This is in addition to the current system of double screening, that also requires all arriving passengers to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test.…

COVID 19: Cautious easing of restrictions on gatherings as from 8 February

The Minister of Health, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, has approved proposals from the Chief Epidemiologist regarding cautions relaxations to the restrictions on gathering sizes as from 8 February. The general limit on the number of persons in a gathering will continue to be 20, but with more exceptions than have been allowed up to now.…

Sendiherra afhendir trúnaðarbréf sem sendiherra Íslands í Rúmeníu

Helga Hauksdóttir, sendiherra Íslands í Danmörku, afhenti í dag trúnaðarbréf sitt sem sendiherra Íslands í Rúmeníu með aðsetur í Kaupmannahöfn. Þar sem kórónafaraldurinn leyfir ekki ferðalög til Rúmeníu eins og er, fór afhendingin fram í sendiráði Rúmeníu í Kaupmannahöfn, sem jafnframt er sendiráð gagnvart Íslandi. Sendiherra Rúmeníu, Alexandru Gradinar, tók við trúnaðabréfinu úr hendi sendiherra.…

Increased efforts for climate adaptation, nature-based solutions

Mr. Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized nature-based solutions like afforestation, revegetation, and reclamation of wetlands in his address at the Climate Adaptation Summit held on January 25th. Such solutions create synergies, as they benefit climate, biodiversity and development, and help combat desertification, Mr. Guðbrandsson said.

Treasury issues eurobond with 0% coupon

Today the Republic of Iceland issued a bond in the amount of 750 million euros, the equivalent of ISK 117bn. The bond bears fixed 0% interest and is issued for seven years at a yield of 0,117%.

Iceland's International Trade Policy

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland has published an extensive report on Iceland's international trade policy. The report covers a wide range of trade related topics and gives an overview of Iceland’s free trade agreements and improved market access for Icelandic exporters worldwide.

Report on Iceland's international trade policy

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland has published an extensive report on Iceland's international trade policy. The report covers a wide range of trade related topics and gives an overview of Iceland’s free trade agreements and improved market access for Icelandic exporters worldwide.

Sendiráðið stuðlar að því að efla tvíhliða samstarf við Rúmeníu

Helga Hauksdóttir, sendiherra Íslands, tók á dögunum þátt í fjarfundi sameiginlegu tvíhliða nefndar uppbyggingarsjóðsins fyrir Rúmeníu þar sem rætt var um tvíhliða verkefni sjóðsins með rúmenskum aðilum.

Íslensk fyrirtæki á útboðsþingi Sameinuðu þjóðanna

Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, utanríkis- og þróunarsamvinnuráðherra, áréttaði mikilvægi alþjóðasamvinnu á tímum heimsfaraldurs á tveggja daga rafrænu útboðsþingi Sameinuðu þjóðanna sem hófst í morgun. Sjö íslensk fyrirtæki taka þátt í þinginu og kynna vörur sínar og þjónustu fyrir innkaupadeildum Sameinuðu þjóðanna.

COVID 19: ​Digital vaccine certificates

Around 4,500 people in Iceland have received their second vaccination injection against COVID-19 and will thus be considered fully vaccinated. The Directorate of Health is now finalizing a digital solution that enables those individuals to obtain a vaccination certificate online at www.heilsuvera.is.…

Publication of the Greenland Committee Report

The Greenland Committee appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Co-operation has delivered its extensive report with a detailed analysis of the current co-operation between Greenland and Iceland and recommendations on how to strengthen the co-operation. The Minister discussed the report with his Greenlandic counterpart, Steen Lynge on Wednesday.

Report of the Greenland Committee

Greenland and Iceland - Report of the Greenland Committee Appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation has now been published.

Nordic-Baltic countries engage the IMF to conduct an analysis of cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the region

The eight countries of the Nordic-Baltic Constituency of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have taken the initiative to engage the IMF to conduct a regional analysis of money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) threats and vulnerabilities.

Framkvæmdastjóri Norðurlandaráðs kvödd með málþingi

Fimmtudaginn 21. janúar n.k. verður haldið rafrænt málþing í tilefni þess að Britt Bohlin lætur af störfum sem framkvæmdarstjóri Norðurlandaráðs. Málþingið er skipulagt af Norðurlandaráði, Norræna menningarsjóðnum og sendiráði Svíþjóðar í Kaupmannahöfn.

Iceland hosts first activist led conference against gender-based violence in over 25 years

The Government of Iceland and city of Reykjavik will host the Reykjavik Dialogue and Conference, on August 16th-18th 2021. This three-day event will be the first conference led by international activists and survivors of gender-based violence since the Brighton conference in 1996 which was inspired by the 1976 International Tribunal on Crimes against Women.

Covid-19 screening mandatory for arriving passengers until spring

As of today, all passengers must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland, followed by a 5–6-day quarantine and a second screening at the end of quarantine period. This procedure will remain in place until 1 May, when cautious steps will be taken to ease restrictions, based on the epidemiological situation at passenger's point of departure. This was decided at today's cabinet meeting.

COVID 19: Children entering Iceland required to enter quarantine as from 13 January

As from tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 January 2021, children born in 2005 or later will be required to go into quarantine along with their parents or guardians after entering Iceland under a new regulation on quarantine, isolation and testing at Iceland’s border to combat COVID-19 that has been issued by the Minister of Health.…

COVID-19: Relaxations to the restrictions on gathering sizes to apply from 13 January

Gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 20 persons and health and fitness centres and skiing facilities will be able to open again. Sporting activities will be permitted for both children and adults, subject to certain restrictions; the same will apply to sports competitions, which will proceed without spectators.…

Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy 2021-2025

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has published its updated Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) for 2021-2025.

Fastanefnd Íslands í Vín verður lokuð frá 24. desember 2020 til föstudags, 8. janúar 2021. Gleðilega hátið!