What type of license do I need to operate in Iceland?
Anyone organizing and/or selling tours or offering tours for sale must hold 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 tours that combine different types of travel sercvices, and that last longer than 24 hours or accommodation is included, must hold a travel agency licence.
Day tour provider licence: The license applies to parties that sell tours that are not covered by the Act on package travel and linked travel arrangements. Day tour provider licence is only appropriate for those that solely offer single tours that are shorter than 24 hours, and do not include accommodation.A travel agency licence may be required for any combination or linking with other types of travel related services.
Applications
Further information on licences and application processes can be found here for day tour providers and here for travel agency licences.
Foreign providers of tourism services operating in Iceland
Please refer to a seperate information page for foreign providers of tourism services that bring tourists to Iceland and operate in the country without opening branches in the country.
Safety plans
Anyone performing or intending to perform organized tours within Icelandic territory must compile safety plans for every type of tour they offer, irrespective of wheter they sell the tours directly to travelers or through an intermediary. Further information regarding safety plans can be found here.
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 Icelandic Environment Agency grants permits for off-road driving, construction work within protected areas, photographic and cinematographic activity and other operations in areas under its jurisdiction, reindeer hunting and bird hunting.
Chiefs of Police handle the licencing for the carrying of firearms and skydiving among others. - The Directorate of Fisheries issues permits for recreational fishing.
- Þingvellir National Park issues permits and enters into contracts for activities within the national park.
- Vatnajökull National Park issues permits and enters into agreements for activities within the national park.
- Snæfellsjökull National Park issues permits and enters into agreements for activities within the national park.
- The Directorate of Labour issues, among other , work permits for employees coming from countries outside the European Union and EFTA.
- Municipalities issue operating, building, and occupancy permits.
Support system of the tourism industry
On the website of the Icelandic Tourist Board you can find an overview of key stakeholders connected to the industry (in Icelandic). There is also a comprehensive overview of the support system for tourism (in Icelandic), which refers to the institutions, associations, and organisations that provide various forms of support, information, or permits to companies and individuals within the sector.
