Iceland visa for British citizens

In 2025, Iceland’s embassy and consulates in the United Kingdom (London) received 15,804 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 10,661. The refusal rate was 32.0%. The refusal rate rose by 17.5 points from 14.5% in 2024, a sharp increase. Applications rose by 187% compared with 2024 (5,508).

For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 10.5% of the applications lodged in the United Kingdom that year. Iceland’s consulates worldwide refused 13.8%. Iceland was the 10th most applied-for Schengen state in the United Kingdom.

You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in the United Kingdom, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.

Before travelling from the United Kingdom to Iceland, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Iceland at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 4 May 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Iceland (updated 11 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Iceland (updated 14 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.

How long British citizens can stay in Iceland

British citizens may stay in Iceland for up to 90 days. Days in Iceland count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.

Iceland and the Schengen area

Visa-free stays of British citizens in Iceland count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.

Icelandic citizens travelling to the United Kingdom

Icelandic citizens do not need a visa for the United Kingdom, but they need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before departure; it covers stays of up to 180 days.