Do I need a visa to visit the USA, Canada, or Australia with an Icelandic passport?

You don't need a traditional visa, but electronic travel authorization is required. For the USA, you must apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before travel. For Canada, you need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). For Australia, you must obtain an ETA or eVisitor authorization online. These are typically approved within minutes to 72 hours and are valid for multiple entries over 2-3 years.

Can Icelandic citizens work freely in EU countries and the UK?

Yes, Icelandic citizens have the right to live and work freely in all EU/EEA countries and Switzerland without a work visa due to Iceland's EEA membership. However, for the UK post-Brexit, Icelanders can visit visa-free for up to 6 months but need to apply for a work visa or sponsorship to work legally. The UK is no longer part of freedom of movement arrangements.

Is military service mandatory for Icelandic passport holders?

No, Iceland has no military forces and therefore no mandatory military service. Iceland is unique among NATO members in having no standing army, navy, or air force. The Icelandic Coast Guard and crisis response units handle defense and security matters, but service is voluntary. This does not affect passport validity or international travel rights.

Which countries require Icelandic citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Icelandic passport holders must obtain visas in advance for 19 countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, North Korea, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Syria, and several African nations like Chad, Mali, Niger, and Central African Republic. Additionally, countries like Russia, China (despite recent visa-free access for certain conditions), India, Vietnam, and Nigeria require e-visas or online visa applications before travel.

Can I get a visa on arrival in popular destinations like Egypt, Maldives, or Indonesia with an Iceland passport?

Yes, Icelandic citizens can obtain visa on arrival in 31 countries including Egypt, Maldives, Indonesia, Jordan, Cambodia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Fees vary by country (typically $25-100 USD). Ensure you have a passport valid for at least 6 months, return tickets, and proof of accommodation. Some countries like Indonesia offer both visa-free short stays and visa on arrival options.

How do I renew my Icelandic passport and how long does it take?

Icelandic passports can be renewed through the National Registry of Iceland (Þjóðskrá) online portal or at district commissioners' offices. Processing takes approximately 2-3 weeks for standard service. You'll need a recent biometric photo, valid ID, and payment (around ISK 11,000 for adults). Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 18. Apply at least 3 months before expiration, especially during summer travel season.

Do I need travel authorization (ETA) for the UK after Brexit as an Icelandic citizen?

Yes, starting in 2025, Icelandic citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK, even for short stays. The UK ETA costs £10, is applied for online, and is typically approved within 3 days. It's valid for 2 years or until passport expiry and allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each. This requirement began rolling out in 2024-2025 for visa-exempt nationals including Icelanders.

Can Icelandic passport holders travel to Russia or China easily in 2025?

For Russia, Icelandic citizens must obtain an e-visa online before travel, which typically takes 4-20 days to process. For China, Iceland passport holders can access visa-free entry for up to 15 days for tourism/business/transit in certain circumstances (introduced in 2024), but longer stays or other purposes require a visa from Chinese embassy. Always check current bilateral agreements as policies change frequently.

What are the passport validity requirements for international travel with an Iceland passport?

Most countries require your Icelandic passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date. Schengen and EU countries typically require 3 months validity beyond stay. Countries like USA, Canada, and UK require validity only for the duration of stay. Always verify specific requirements before booking, as overstaying with an expiring passport can result in denied boarding or entry refusal at immigration.

Iceland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 181 Countries

The Iceland passport ranks 11th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations worldwide. As a member of the Schengen Area, Icelandic passport holders enjoy exceptional travel freedom throughout Europe and strong mobility across North America, Asia, and Oceania. The passport has consistently maintained a top-tier position over the past two decades, with rankings between 8th and 13th place since 2006, making it one of the world's most powerful travel documents for international mobility.

Global Rank

#11

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

181

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Iceland passport

134

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Icelander Citizens

Popular destinations where Iceland passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 30 days	TH
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
United States	Up to 90 days	US

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Iceland passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

134 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

31 countries

🔐 ETA Required

16 countries

💻 E-Visa

25 countries

❌ Visa Required

20 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Iceland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Iceland Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Government of Iceland - Ministry for Foreign Affairs

🔗

Directorate of Immigration Iceland - Passports

🔗

Iceland Embassies and Consulates

🔗

Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) - Passports

🔗

SafeTravel Iceland

Compare Iceland Passport with Other Passports

See how Iceland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Iceland (You are here)	#11	181	92/100	88/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Iceland passport ranks 11th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations. As a member of the Schengen Area and EEA, Icelandic citizens enjoy extensive travel freedom, including unrestricted access to all EU/EEA countries, plus major destinations like Japan, Singapore, UK, UAE, Brazil, and South Korea. This makes it one of the world's most powerful passports for international travel.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Iceland's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Iceland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 181 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Iceland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Iceland Passport with Other Passports

See how Iceland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Iceland (You are here)	#11	181	92/100	88/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Iceland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Icelander Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Iceland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Iceland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Iceland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Iceland passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do I need a visa to visit the USA, Canada, or Australia with an Icelandic passport?

Can Icelandic citizens work freely in EU countries and the UK?

Is military service mandatory for Icelandic passport holders?

Which countries require Icelandic citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Can I get a visa on arrival in popular destinations like Egypt, Maldives, or Indonesia with an Iceland passport?

How do I renew my Icelandic passport and how long does it take?

Do I need travel authorization (ETA) for the UK after Brexit as an Icelandic citizen?

Can Icelandic passport holders travel to Russia or China easily in 2025?

What are the passport validity requirements for international travel with an Iceland passport?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Iceland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Icelander Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Iceland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Iceland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Iceland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Iceland passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do I need a visa to visit the USA, Canada, or Australia with an Icelandic passport?

Can Icelandic citizens work freely in EU countries and the UK?

Is military service mandatory for Icelandic passport holders?

Which countries require Icelandic citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Can I get a visa on arrival in popular destinations like Egypt, Maldives, or Indonesia with an Iceland passport?

How do I renew my Icelandic passport and how long does it take?

Do I need travel authorization (ETA) for the UK after Brexit as an Icelandic citizen?

Can Icelandic passport holders travel to Russia or China easily in 2025?

What are the passport validity requirements for international travel with an Iceland passport?

Explore More Passport Rankings