Mental health support for British nationals in Iceland
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Iceland.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 112 and ask for an ambulance or the police, or go to the emergency department at any general hospital.
For less urgent medical attention, visit Government of Iceland life and health or call the Health Care Information Centre on 1700 locally. See also healthcare for UK nationals living in Iceland.
The national suicide prevention and emotional support resources are listed by Ísland.is. The Red Cross helpline can be contacted on 1717 locally or +354 580 1710 internationally. See Ísland.is suicide prevention resources and Icelandic Red Cross Helpline 1717. In an acute emergency, call 112.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Iceland
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and healthcare for UK nationals living in Iceland.
Accessing medicines in Iceland
If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Iceland is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Iceland, you should approach a local pharmacy. See the Icelandic Medicines Agency pharmacies list for information on local pharmacies.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Iceland. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are available in Iceland.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Iceland, contact the relevant hospital or healthcare service. Public pages confirming psychiatric inpatient, day and outpatient care include Akureyri Hospital mental health and Landspítali University Hospital.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if legal criteria are met. In Iceland this is called “involuntary commitment” in English; the Icelandic legal term is commonly “nauðungarvistun”. Read more information on Ísland.is involuntary commitment.
This is comparable to sectioning in the UK. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Outpatient treatment
You may also be able to access outpatient care in Iceland. Publicly available information says psychological services and mental health services may be accessed through referrals and health services. See Iceland Health psychological services and West Iceland Health mental health services.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Iceland outside hospital through primary healthcare, psychological services and regional health services. See Iceland Health psychological services.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Iceland without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
You may be entitled to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Iceland. Check entitlement and coverage before receiving care. See healthcare for UK nationals living in Iceland.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance or GHIC.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone “lacking mental capacity”, speak to a lawyer in Iceland for advice. Use professional services if you are abroad if needed.
Support from agencies and organisations in Iceland
Contact these organisations in Iceland for mental health support and advice:
There are also some social support organisations in Iceland that you may wish to contact:
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.