What type of license do I need to operate in Iceland?
Anyone organizing, selling or performing tours in Iceland needs a license issued by the Icelandic Tourist Board. There are two types of licenses:
Travel agency license: The license applies to parties offering package travel or linked travel arrangements covered by the Act on package travel and linked travel arrangements. Anyone offering combined or interconnected tours, e.g. where accommodation is included, must hold a travel agency licence.
Day tour provider: The license applies to parties who sell trips that are not covered by the Act on package travel and linked travel arrangements. The day tour provider licence is for those who only offer single trips that are shorter than 24 hours, and do not include accommodation. Any combination and interconnection with other services may require a travel agency licence.
Applications
Further information on licences and application processes can be found here for day tour providers and here for travel agency licences.
Foreign tourism service providers operating in Iceland
We have set up an information page for foreign tourist service providers which bring tourist parties to Iceland without opening branches in the country.
Other licences
Applicants must find out whether other licences are required for their operations.
- The Icelandic Transport Authority handles licencing for carriage of passengers and transport, whether on land, in the air, at sea, on lakes or rivers.
- District commissioners handle licencing of restaurants and accommodation.
- Offices for Health and Environment handle licencing of horse rentals, the operations of horse rentals must furthermore be registered with the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST).
- The Offices for Health and Environment also issue operating licences for accommodations, restaurants, and public toilets
- The Environment Agency of Iceland handles licencing for off road driving, constructions in nature reserves, photography and filming in areas that are under the domain of The Environment Agency, the hunting of reindeer and birds.
- Chiefs of Police handle the licencing for the carrying of firearms and skydiving among others.
- The Directorate of Fisheries handles licencing for recreational fishing.
