Are your green list travel plans in the works? After living the last year in a pandemic with travel heavily restricted, so many people are ready to start exploring again (FINALLY!!). If you’ve been dreaming of travel, adventure, and getting outdoors as soon as possible then you might also be thinking about visiting Iceland.

It’s true: Iceland has seen an increase in travel since it made the green list. But don’t let this deter you from visiting! As one of Europe’s most sparsely populated countries, there’s room for everyone. 

If you’re wondering what the green list is, if Iceland is on the green list, or how you can prepare for travel to green countries, you’re in the right place to find out. Iceland is my home, and as an Adventure Elopement Photographer and Planner I’m prepared to help you navigate the muddy waters of travelling to Iceland right now.

What Does Green List Travel Mean?

The news has been buzzing about green list travel, and you may be wondering: what the heck does that mean? Countries that are on the green list are countries that have been approved for travel without quarantining when you get there. WOOT! 

Here’s how it works: there’s a traffic light system in place for travel which categorizes countries based on risk. There are green, amber, and red categories:

• Green means: there is no need to quarantine unless you have a positive test.

• Amber means: you must quarantine at home for 10 days, but there is an option to end quarantine on day five with an additional test.

• Red means: your quarantine hotel package must be booked before you depart.

The following factors play a role in determining which category each country falls into:

• the rate of infection

• the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated

• the prevalence of variants

• the degree to which that country can access reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing

Green List Countries

On May 7 of 2021, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that 12 countries had been approved on the Green List. Here is that list of approved green countries as of May 2021:

1. New Zealand

2. Australia

3. Singapore 

4. Israel

5. Portugal

6. Iceland

7. Brunei

8. Gibraltar

9. Faroe Islands

10. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

11. St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island

As you can see, Iceland is on the green list, which I’m so stoked about. Travelling to Iceland changed my life, and it’s so absolutely breathtaking. I want to share everything great about Iceland with the couples I work with, so I am pumped for the opportunity to help more people plan their elopements here once again. 

Regardless of where you travel right now, there are going to be some safety precautions in place. That aside, you can still have an exceptional elopement experience that’s anything but boring.

It’s important to note that the green list travel countries could be changed at any time, but official updates will only be made at specific checkpoints in time. The next expected update is on June 28th, 2021. 

How to Prepare for Travel to Iceland Now

The prospect of travelling again is exciting, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prepared. The best way you can be prepared for travel to Iceland is simply by knowing what to expect when you arrive. 

When you get to Iceland, you will need to take one COVID test. This will come at no cost to you—the traveller—at all. You only have to self-isolate for 24 hours until you get the results. Once they come back negative, you’re free to enjoy your stay (AKA it’s time to PARTY 💃).

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you will also need to provide a negative PCR test on arrival, as well as take the additional test when you touch down. Then you’ll follow the same procedure as above until your results come back. 

While at first glance this can sound a bit discouraging, remember that you can totally work around this in your travel plans. Since you’re arriving knowing that a 24-hour isolation period is inevitable, you can make the most of it by working in the 3 R’s: rest, relaxation, and room service.

Green List Elopement Ideas

A lot of couples were forced to put off their elopement plans when the pandemic began. I say it’s time to pick those back up again!

Whether your elopement is about exploration and adventure, or alone time and some much-needed R&R, Iceland is bound to have exactly what you’re looking for. You can hike to a glacier in the morning and bathe in the Blue Lagoon in the evening. 

Or you can plan a culinary adventure and enjoy some of Iceland’s most unique spa and dining experiences (beer bath anyone?). Speaking of unique experiences, there are also some one-of-a-kind museums you can visit too.

There’s no dream too big and no detail too small. I can help you plan and capture it all. When it comes to creating your perfect Iceland elopement, it’s all up to you, and it’s my job to help you plan an unforgettable experience that will rock your socks.

You’ve Got a Green Light on Your Green List Travels 

Now that we’ve been given the green light for travel with 12 countries, travellers are starting to feel hope and excitement. The future for travel is looking bright, and it’s only a matter of time until this list expands. 

I can’t wait to welcome you to Iceland and make your adventure elopement dreams come true. It’s normal to have questions about COVID and how this might impact your elopement experience. Let’s get in touch and chat more about my policies and procedures to help you feel more comfortable so we can fricken do this. 

Feeling inspired? Read the Iceland Elopement Survival Guide and learn how to get the most out of your elopement experience.