Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
Ukrainians receive temporary collective protection in Iceland based on the Icelandic government decision on 07.03.2022. Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine have been able to enter Iceland without a visa. Both biometric and non-biometric passports are valid
The Central Government of Iceland has set up a central information website and a central reception centre to support arriving Ukrainians. The central reception centre is supported by the Multi-Cultural Centre.
Refugee status/ Asylum seeker status/ Temporary protection status
To receive benefits (medical, social), registration is required. The Central Government of Iceland has set up a central reception centre to support arriving Ukrainians, located at Egilsgata 3, IS 101 Reykjavik (location is also formerly known as ´Domus Medica´). Counselling takes place in situ (no emails or phones are available). Ukrainians granted collective protection receive a residence permit for humanitarian reasons. With the permit, you will be issued an Icelandic ID number.
The permit entails access to housing, maintenance, social services, health care, as well as education for children. It also entails the right to family reunification.
Directorate of Immigration issues list of application and approval of international protection on humanitarian grounds and comparison of the numbers of application and number of approvals, indicates 4 weeks.
Learn more about staying in Iceland:
- Central Government of Iceland (joint statement by Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs);
- Contact details of relevant Ministries are listed at government.is
- Information website for Ukrainians (central government of Iceland) under item ´Collective protection – How to apply? ´
Multi-Cultural Centre
Email 1: mcc@mcc.is
Email 2: refugee@mcc.is
Phone +354-450-3090
Dalvegur 18
IS 201 Kópavogur
+354 444 0900
Vínlandsleið 16
IS 113 Reykjavík
Phone: +354 515 0000
>> Interpretation services (local NGOs, volunteers, reception centres)
The central reception centre has interpreters available (in close collaboration with the Multi-Cultural Centre being the key supporting organisation).
More at – mcc.is
Access to healthcare services
Fees
All Ukrainians who receive a protection status have the same access to health care as Icelandic citizens. However, some services require co-payments. Such costs depend both on the service required and on how much an individual has spent on medical care during a calendar year. Information is available at Icelandic Health Insurance.
Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for the following healthcare services?
- The focal point for all support for health care access is done by the Central Government of Iceland. A central reception centre to support arriving Ukrainians is located at Egilsgata 3, IS 101 Reykjavik (location is also formerly known as ´Domus Medica´). From there onwards, the person can be directed to the relevant healthcare services (such as to GPs and hospitals) and well as NGO services available.
- All arriving Ukrainians must go to the central reception centre to initiate the process of accessing health care. Through the central reception centre, the Ukrainians will have to undergo a medical examination. From arrival, during the process of applying for protection, and after receiving protection status, Ukrainians are entitled to health services and medicines that are necessary for them. Such appointments are organized by the central reception centre.
- The medical examination applies to all applications of international protection, including Ukrainians. Access to health services for Ukrainians is accessible during the protection status application as well as after the status has been confirmed.
- From arrival, and during the process of application of protection, Ukrainians are entitled to necessary health services and medicines that are necessary for them. A detailed list of available services (in English) is available on the Multi-Cultural Centre website.
You can also refer to: Health Care Centre for the capital area
Phone: +345 513-5000
Acute treatment
In case of emergencies, Ukrainians should visit the Emergency Ward (located at Central Hospital in Fossvogur, IS 108 Reykjavik). The emergency phone line is 112 and the website is 112.is
Chronic/long-term treatment
The general system in Iceland is built upon General Practitioner (GP or family doctor), who refers individuals to services needed.
Visiting family doctors
The exact location of a family doctor depends on the location of each individual housing location since family doctors are allocated according to residential addresses. Alternatively, people can ask for a health care centre or a doctor of their own choice, but it depends upon availability. This service is also available in other municipalities in Iceland.
See more: island.is
Services for People Living with HIV
HIV-testing
- Upon arrival in Iceland, all applicants for international protection undergo medical examination and are tested for TB, hepatitis B and C, HIV and These tests are free of charge and appointments are organised by the central reception centres. The examinations take place at Göngudeild Sóttvarna at Þönglabakki 1, IS 109 Reykjavik. Phone +354 513 5130. Email: gongudeild.sottvarna@heilsugaeslan.is
- If the HIV test results from the first medical check upon arrival to Iceland are positive, the Ukrainian will be directed to National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control (also known as department of infectious diseases). Medical services related to HIV are managed via the National University Hospital.
Antiretroviral treatment (ART)
People on ART can bring their own medication into the country together with their doctor’s prescription. A specialist at the National Hospital of Iceland can issue a prescription upon request, and as a medical requirement.
All people living with HIV who inject drugs, can receive ART in Iceland.
How can minors get tested and treated?
Minors can get tested and get ART.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis can be administered to men who have sex with men. The person is required to have medical insurance, which all Ukrainians receive upon arrival under the international protection rights. PrEP should be taken daily or as advised by a medical specialist.
It is free of charge and the minimum age for receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis is 18 years. Parental consent is sought for persons under 18.
PrEP is available at the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control located at Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavik.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Decision on whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be taken and for what period, is made in consultation with a medical specialist.
Medical treatment is available both at the National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infectious Diseases (office hours) and the Emergency Ward (24 hours), which are located at Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavík. It is free of charge (covered by health insurance) and there is no minimum age for receiving post-exposure prophylaxis.
Useful contacts:
National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infectious Diseases.
Fossvogur
IS 105 Reykjavik
Ms. Anna Tómasdóttir
Clinical Nurse
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
Health Care Centre for the capital area
Álfabakka 16, IS 109 Reykjavík
Phone: +345 513-5000
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis B and C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B and C treatment availability
Upon arrival in Iceland, all applicants for international protection undergo medical examination and are tested for hepatitis B and C. If treatment or vaccinations are required, the request is processed through the central reception centre and treatment takes place at the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control. No specific indicators are required for the testing.
There are no specific indications for vaccination. Hepatitis B vaccination can be requested and received at health care centres (various locations). Contraindications are part of individual medical evaluation.
Hepatitis B and C treatments are part of individual medical evaluation. There are no specific indications or contraindications.
Through international protection, all Ukrainians who require medical treatment for hepatitis B and C have the same rights as Icelandic citizens to receive treatment at the National University Hospital of Iceland department of communicable disease, prevention, and control.
Vaccination for hepatitis B is available upon requests at both the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control (and health care centres (various locations at heilsugaeslan.is)
Costs for vaccinations are available at heilsugaeslan.is/Flipi (in Icelandic only)
If a person is not able to provide medical history of hepatitis B vaccination or hepatitis B or C treatment, medical consultations are conducted by a team of hepatologists at the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control.
Treatment options available for Hepatitis related liver diseases
Treatment for liver cirrhosis or HCC is available and provided at the National University Hospital, department of infectious diseases or at the National University Hospital at Hringbraut, 101 IS Reykjavik.
Support systems (harm reduction/safer use, social support, or psychosocial support) available for the Ukrainians undergoing therapy for hepatitis C or related liver diseases
Information on access to the support is provided at the central reception centre and at the health care centres (see locations: heilsugaeslan.is/locations)
In addition, comprehensive care and personal follow up of hepatitis C patients is integrated in the formal hepatitis C treatment protocol at the National University Hospital, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control. This is as a result of the successful piloting of the project TRAP Hep C (TRAP: Treatment as Prevention) in 2016.
1. Health Care Centre for the capital area
Álfabakka 16, IS 109 Reykjavík
Phone: +345 513-5000
Email: heilsugaeslan@heilsugaeslan.is
2. National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infectious Diseases.
Fossvogur
IS 105 Reykjavik
Ms. Anna Tómasdóttir
Clinical Nurse
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
Tuberculosis services
If the person has TB symptoms:
- All applicants for international protection are tested for TB as part of the medical exam which is arranged by the reception centre.
- If symptoms are detected during the medical exam, an appointment is made with a GP, who organizes referral to the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control.
- TB is testing is offered to all adult Ukrainians and children older than 1 month, who are seeking international protection.
If TB was already diagnosed in Ukraine and the person needs to continue treatment:
Directly observed treatment (DOT) can be continued at the National University Hospital of Iceland, department of communicable disease, prevention, and control.
National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infectious Diseases.
Fossvogur
IS 105 Reykjavik
Ms. Anna Tómasdóttir
Clinical Nurse
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
Non-medical support
No online centralized information website exists but reception centres for Ukrainians seeking international protection can advise on where to seek the support. The government´s central reception centre supporting arriving Ukrainians, located at Egilsgata 3, IS 101 Reykjavik (location is also formerly known as ´Domus Medica´) is an extensive source of information and can give guidance to the relevant available services.
If a person has a Ukrainian prescription for TB treatment medication…
Generally, medical prescriptions can only be collected in Iceland if the doctor has a license to practise in Iceland or the EEA (Legislation 421/2017, article 2 and 3).
It is possible to bring prescriptions to the medical experts at the National University Hospital, department of infectious diseases and have a specialist issue a valid prescription in Iceland.
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for children
This vaccine is not available in Iceland.
Useful links to browse more on TB treatment within Iceland for Ukrainians:
1. National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infectious Diseases.
Fossvogur
IS 105 Reykjavik
Ms. Anna Tómasdóttir
Clinical Nurse
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
2. Information website for Ukrainians (Central government of Iceland).
3. Health Care Centre for the capital area
Álfabakka 16, IS 109 Reykjavík
Phone: +345 513-5000
Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services
Medication rules
- Ukrainian OAT patients can bring their doctor´s prescription. However, the medical prescription can only be collected in Iceland if the doctor has a license to practise in Iceland or the EEA (Legislation 421/2017, article 2 and 3).
- Medical referrals can be arranged through the central reception centre or through a GP, who submits a referral to the National University Hospital of Iceland (department of mental health and addiction).
- The person needs to be registered in the country to have access OAT prescriptions.
What OAT drugs are available in the country?
Mostly Suboxone is used but methadone is available if it is preferred by the person on treatment.
OAT treatment fees
The medication is free of charge if prescribed by a psychiatrist (this refers especially to Suboxone).
Take-home doses availability and prescription for treatment
It is possible for Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine to bring their own OAT doses into the country to begin treatment. However, for continued treatment (and dosage), a psychiatrist must be involved.
This also applies when obtaining a prescription: it is helpful if the person on treatment can bring a doctor’s certificate, but the treatment options will be assessed by a psychiatrist.
To get the doses in Iceland, the person is referred to the National Hospital or to SÁÁ („National Centre of Addiction Medicine), after compulsory consultation with a doctor.
Note! Psychiatrists are responsible for treatment assessment and decisions on whether the person receiving the treatment can get their dosage at the hospital or at a pharmacy (depending on the stability of the person on treatment).
National Hospital or at SÁÁ (National Centre of Addiction Medicine, Stórhöfða 45)
IS- 110 Reykjavík
+354 530 7600
vogur@saa.is
For the further consultations please contact:
National University Hospital
Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Outpatient Clinic
Fossvogur
IS 105 Reykjavík
Minimum age for people who use drugs to receive OAT
The National University Hospital does not provide OAT to persons under 18 years old.
Useful links to follow on OAT:
- Ministry of Health
Skogarhlid 6
IS 105 Reykjavik
Email: hnr@hnr.is
Phone: +354 545 8700
Website: reglugerd.is (In Icelandic only) - Health Care Centre for the capital area
Álfabakka 16, IS 109 Reykjavík
Phone: +345 513-5000
Email: heilsugaeslan@heilsugaeslan.is - National Hospital or at SÁÁ („National Centre of Addiction Medicine, Stórhöfða 45)
IS 110 Reykjavík
Phone: +354 530 7600
Email: vogur@saa.is
(Icelandic language preferred)
Sources
General requirements and access to healthcare
HIV
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03. Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases
Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases. Address: Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavík.
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
Hepatitis B/C
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02. Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases
Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases. Address: Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavík.
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
TB
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02. Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases
Ms Anna Tómasdóttir, Clinical Nurse at National University Hospital of Iceland, Department of Infections Diseases. Address: Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavík.
Smita3@landspitali.is
+354 543 6040
OAT
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01. Ms Rósa Friðriksdóttir, Nurse at National University Hospital Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Outpatient Clinic
Ms Rósa Friðriksdóttir, Nurse at National University Hospital Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Outpatient Clinic. Address: Fossvogur, IS 105 Reykjavík.
rosa@landspitali.is
+354 543 4050
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04. Epidemiologiebericht Sucht 2021
Regulation on the preparation of prescriptions and prescription of medicines 1266/2017, Ministry of Welfare, 19 May 2017. Available at www.reglugerd.is