Emergency numbers & what to do if disaster strikes in Iceland

If you need help in Iceland, dial 112 — it's the single number that covers police, fire, ambulance, coast guard and search-and-rescue, 24/7, year-round, and you can reach it by phone, app, SMS, or web chat. Download the 112 Iceland app before you travel, since it can send your GPS location straight to responders if you need rescue help.

What number do I call for a real emergency?

Call 112 for any life-threatening situation, accident, or crime in progress. It's staffed all day, every day, all year, and you can also use SMS or web chat if a voice call isn't possible. For serious injuries, acute illness, or medical emergencies, you can also go directly to Landspítali University Hospital at +354 543 2000, or reach the Reykjavik emergency room, open 24 hours, at +354 525 1700.

What if it's not urgent — a minor illness or injury?

For 24/7 medical advice that doesn't need a hospital visit, call the health line 1700, where nurses are on call; there's also a webchat on Heilsuvera from 8am to 10pm daily. In Reykjavik, after-hours primary care is handled by Læknavaktin (doctor on call) at 1770, open 5pm–10pm on weekdays and 9am–10pm on weekends. Note that non-residents typically must pay hospital and medical bills in full on discharge (credit cards accepted), though costs are generally lower than in the US.

How do I report theft or lost property?

For non-urgent police matters, lost property, or general enquiries in the Capital Area, call Capital Area Police at +354 444 1000. Minor violations or petty theft can be reported via the police website, or in person at your local police station during working hours.

What do I do if I lose my passport?

Report a lost or stolen passport to the police immediately, and also to Registers Iceland. US citizens should know the US Embassy does not answer questions or provide services by telephone — non-emergency consular help is arranged via the Consular Navigator link by email, and all services are by appointment only. The Embassy's American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit can issue temporary emergency passports in genuine emergencies, but these are non-biometric and may not be accepted everywhere — check with your onward destination's embassy. The Embassy does not pay medical bills; you remain responsible for all healthcare costs.

Anything else useful?

For road conditions and traffic info, available 24/7, contact the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) at 1770 or via Umferðin.is — the same 1770 number also connects you to after-hours doctor services, so listen for the right option.

FAQ

Is 112 free and available everywhere in Iceland? Yes, it's the national emergency number, operating 24/7 year-round, reachable by phone, app, SMS, or web chat.

Can the US Embassy give me a new passport on the spot? In genuine emergencies, yes — a temporary, non-biometric passport — but it may not be accepted in every country, so verify with your next destination's embassy, and services are by appointment only, not phone.

Who pays if I need hospital care as a visitor? You do — non-residents generally pay in full at discharge (cards accepted), and the US Embassy does not cover medical bills.

Sources

• https://www.112.is/en
• https://visitreykjavik.is/important-phone-numbers
• https://is.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/
• https://www.112.is/en/hvad-get-eg-gert
• https://island.is/en/life-events/getting-sick
• https://www.government.is/ministries/diplomatic-missions/copenhagen-denmark/consular-services/
• https://is.usembassy.gov/emergency-contact-information-for-u-s-citizens/