Healthcare Guideline

Maternity care, also called maternal or prenatal care, are free of charge. All expectant mothers can either visit the healthcare centre in their neighborhood or choose another location and register there.

Interviews and examinations are available from the beginning of pregnancy until childbirth. The first interview with a midwife is usually conducted over the phone shortly after the pregnancy is confirmed. It is recommended that the first meeting takes place within 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. The number of maternity examinations varies depending on circumstances, usually between 8-10 times. Between examinations, it is possible to receive phone consultations with a midwife.

For more information about prenatal or maternal care service.

Infant and toddler healthcare takes over from maternity care services when the family returns home from the birthing centre, and the home care provided by midwives concludes.

In the first weeks after childbirth, nurses from the healthcare centre make home visits to the family. Therefore, parents are requested to contact the nurse promptly after returning home. The first medical examination at the healthcare centre is usually around 6 weeks of age.

Subsequently, regular check-ups are conducted by nurses and doctors until school age. During these check-ups, growth, development, vaccinations, and other aspects are monitored. Recommendations are also given on breastfeeding, sleep issues, discipline and parenting, nutrition, and accident prevention. Additionally, parents can always contact the nurse with any questions or concerns regarding their child.

Further information about infant and toddler healthcare.

Nurses and doctors at the healthcare centres oversee the healthcare of school children in the vicinity of the centres.

The main focuses in the health care of school children include:

• Education and health promotion
• Vaccinations
• Screenings
• Health and well-being interviews
• Supervision and monitoring of care for chronically ill children within the school
• Guidance for students, their families, and school staff

You can contact school nurses by calling the school.

Further information about health care of elementary school children.

For Travellers

On the Heilsuvera live chat here on the website, you can ask for recommendations about the vaccinations needed for your travels.  Standardised questions about your journey will be presented. Once all information is provided, a vaccination plan will be generated on My pages within 3 - 10 working days. Individuals will be notified when the plan is ready. The vaccination plan takes into consideration previous vaccinations and the duration of the stay.

When the vaccination plan is received, people can go to Þönglabakki 1, 109 Reykjavík, every weekday between 9Am-3PM to purchase vaccines and receive vaccinations from a nurse. The opening hours can change during the summer.

Further information about vaccinations for travellers. 

General Vaccinations

Vaccination is important throughout life. In Iceland, basic vaccinations are usually administered during childhood and adolescence (up to 14 years old), covering diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, HPV, and polio, among others.

In adulthood, vaccination remains essential, either because certain diseases are more common or severe at older ages, or because booster doses are needed to maintain long-term protection.

Some vaccines, such as those for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio, are recommended every 10 years. This recommendation is especially relevant for those planning to travel to countries where these diseases are still prevalent.

People over 60 years old or those with chronic conditions are advised to get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) bacteria.

If vaccinations were received outside of Iceland and you have a vaccination certificate or card, it is important to request that your healthcare centre register these vaccinations in your vaccination record. These records will be accessible in My Pages within Heilsuvera.

For more information or vaccine-related guidance, you can contact your healthcare center or use the Heilsuvera live chat.

It should be noted that a referral from a doctor is required for tests such as blood tests, X-rays, etc.

Blood Tests

If you wish to undergo a blood test, you must schedule an appointment with your family doctor and request the test. Once the request is submitted, contact the healthcare centre to schedule an appointment for the blood test or visit Landspítali hospital on weekdays at the blood sample reception during opening hours.

With organised screening or examinations, it is possible to detect cancer in the cervix, breasts, colon, and rectum at an early stage before symptoms become apparent. If cancer is found in the early stages, the prognosis is often better.
In Iceland, screening is conducted for cervical cancer and breast cancer in women.

Cervical cancer screening

Women between the ages of 23 and 64 who have received an invitation letter, can make an appointment for cervical cancer screening by calling the most suitable healthcare centre. 

Women who have received an invitation letter and live in the capital area can also book via My pages at heilsuvera.is

Breast cancer screening

Women between the ages of 40 and 74 who have received an invitation letter for breast cancer screening can make an appointment.

Further information on appointment scheduling and opening hours are on the Landspítali Hospital’s website.

On the Health Service website, you can see how the screening process is organized across the country. You need to choose a healthcare center on the map and click on cancer screening under services. We encourage women to familiarize themselves with the service and respond positively to screening invitations.

Organised screening for colorectal and rectal cancer has not yet been implemented here, as in some other countries.

Such screening usually involves searching for hidden blood in stool samples and colonoscopy if the sample is positive. You can request an examination from your family doctor or directly book a colonoscopy with a specialist.

The best way to renew your prescriptions is online, through My Pages on Heilsuvera. To do this, log in with your electronic ID (e-ID).

You can view prescriptions issued in the past three years, as well as those of your children under 16 years old, and see whether the prescription has been used.

You can also renew your medications by phone. Each health centre has a dedicated line for this purpose. Information about direct phone lines is available on each health centre's website.

Which medications can be renewed?

You can request the renewal of medications you take regularly, provided they have been prescribed by your family doctor or another doctor at the health centre.

Antibiotics, strong painkillers, sedatives, or sleeping pills can only be renewed during a medical consultation. 

Reusable Prescriptions

To save time and effort, the use of reusable prescriptions is recommended for regularly used medications. These prescriptions can be valid for up to one year. To obtain a multi-use prescription, you must first attend a consultation with your family doctor.

If you have had sexual contact with someone you do not know well or do not trust, you can visit a doctor to check if you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Most of those who become infected show no symptoms, but symptoms can also appear briefly and then disappear. However, the infection may persist.

Many people may feel that something might be wrong without being able to pinpoint specific symptoms. If this is the case, it is advisable to contact the nearest healthcare center and consult with a doctor or nurse to receive guidance on the next steps. Typically, the process begins with obtaining a urine sample, blood test, and a physical examination.

If you experience symptoms that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection, you should seek medical attention immediately.

You can call 543-6050 to make an appointment for a check at the Outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Landspítali University Hospital or request service through the Landspitali app.  

You can also contact your health care and book an appointment. 

In case of a sudden and short-term illness, you can request a sickness certificate through My pages (is. mínar síður) at Heilsuvera (heilsuvera.is).

Select the following:

Message -> New message, then choose the category Certificate –> employer and school certificate, and continue. 

You pay for the certificate, and then it will appear under My pages after few days.

For long-term illnesses and other certificates (e.g. for driving licenses or letters of authorization) it is always necessary to make an appointment with a general doctor at your healthcare centre.