Drones may be flown in protected areas unless otherwise stated in the conservation conditions of the area in question, or in special rules published in the relevant management and protection plan. Here you can access a list of the areas where there are restrictions on the use of drones. Note that in some areas, restrictions on the use of drones may be seasonal.

Different rules apply to the flight of drones in protected areas, but essentially the restrictions on the flight of drones are regarding the protection of birds and/or protecting the tranquility experience of visitors. A summary of the different rules in protected areas managed by the Environment Agency can be found here. Note that in some areas, restrictions on the use of drones may be seasonal.

Different regulations apply to the flight of drones in protected areas, but essentially the restrictions on drone flight are regarding the protection of wildlife and/or the peaceful experience of visitors. A summary of the different rules in protected areas managed by the Environment Agency can be found here. Note that in some areas, restrictions on the use of drones may be seasonal.

The goals of conservation are varied, but where there are restrictions on the use of drones, in most cases wildlife is being protected. There are different times of the year when drone flights must be restricted, but nesting areas, feeding stations and floodplains are the main areas where restrictions on the use of drones may apply. In some cases, there are restrictions for the safety of guests or to protect the peaceful experience. The restrictions of drone flights can be found here.

You can apply for a permit for activities in protected areas through the service portal of the Environment Agency. If the applicant does not have an Icelandic social security number, it is possible to apply through the English version of the agency’s website.

The Icelandic Transport Authority deals with the issue of air travel in Iceland and therefore handles drone flights for the agency. General rules for drone flights can be found here on the website of the Icelandic Transport Agency.

The Environment Agency does not grant permission for drone flights within Vatnajökull National Park or Þingvellir National Park.

If yours is a project that takes place within the boundaries of Vatnajökull National Park, apply for a permit
directly here.

If yours is a project that takes place within the boundaries of Þingvellir National Park, apply for a permit directly here.

The processing time for general submissions for a drone license is 15 days. This processing time for submissions is dependent on the availability and submission of all the data necessary for decision-making.

The Environment Agency has set a time limit for the processing drone permits (15 days). If an application is made with shorter notice than this period, the organization cannot guarantee that it will be able to complete the assignment in time for the starting point when the project is scheduled to take place.

The Environmental Agency of Iceland charges a fee for processing applications for permits in protected areas on the basis of Article no. 92 of Act no. 61/2013 on Nature conservation. The fee is according to the agency‘s tariff no. 206/2023.

• 76.000 ISK for processing cinematography and photography applications
• 38.000 ISK for processing applications for recreational use of drones within up two protected areas.

The processing fee is the same for recreational and professionalo drones, regardless of the size and weight of the drone. The processing time is 15 days but for the Mývatn area the processing time is 30 days.

When areas are protected, the objectives of the protection and the conservation value of the area are set out. In order to ensure that human activities do not impair or affect the conservation value or violate the objectives of the protected area, certain tasks and disruptive activities are subject to a permit from The Environment Agency of Iceland.
 
Before granting a permit, advisors from the Environment Agency assess the impact of the proposed projects on the objectives and conservation value of the area(s), and subsequently grant a permit or decline the application, as appropriate. 

You can read more about permits in protected areas here.

The Environmental Agency is authorized to collect a fee for the processing of permit applications handled by the agency and the exemptions it grants according to the Nature Conservation Act. The fee shall be in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the relevant Minister and published in Section B of the Official Gazette. The tariff can also be found on the of the Environmental Agency homepage. The fee must not be higher than the cost of processing the application.

If there is no authorization in the conservation terms of protected areas for the Environment Agency to grant exemptions from the rules and restrictions that apply to an area, then it is possible to apply for a permit for exemption from the provisions of conservation pursuant to Article 41 Act no. 60/2013 on nature conservation. The Environment Agency can grant the exemption after receiving a review from the Icelandic institute of Natural History and the relevant nature conservation committee a) if it does not significantly conflict with the objective of the conservation and has an insignificant effect on the conservation value of the natural monuments to which the conservation is directed, or b) if safety considerations or very urgent social interests require it. The exemption is applied for by sending an application to the email address ust@ust.is, and it must be accompanied by a report on the impact of the planned activities or implementation on the conservation value of the natural monuments.

To apply for a permit for commercial filming and photography go to the service portal of the Environment Agency or to this site.

The Environmental Agency is authorized to charge a fee for the processing of license applications. The fee shall be in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the minister of environment and published. The tariff can be found on the website of the Environment Agency. The fee should not be higher than the cost of processing the application.

It is forbidden to drive motorized vehicles off-road in Iceland.

However, it is permitted to drive such equipment on glaciers and frozen/snow-covered ground off road outside urban areas, if the ground is frozen or the snow cover is solid, and it is obvious that there is no risk of damage to the surrounding nature. 

 It is allowed to park a motorized vehicle one car's width away from the road if it does not cause damage to the nature or create a risk of accidents, although this is in accordance with the provisions of the Traffic Act and the instructions from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. 
More information regarding off-road driving can be found here.

You can access the protection terms of each area on the website of the Environment Agency. On the site, you can search regions and the names of the protected areas.

The rules or restrictions that apply vary by area. You can study the protection terms of individual areas on the website of The Environment Agency of Iceland.

Information about the boundaries of protected areas can be found in the protection terms of protected  areas, which can be accessed on the website of the Environment Agency and in the map viewer of the Environment Agency. You can also download them as .shp or access them as WFS and WMS files at gis.ust.is.

Different rules apply to overnight stays, but the general rules are clear. More information on the general rules and special rules of protected areas regarding overnight accommodation can be found here.

The rules or restrictions that apply vary by area. It is possible to view the protection terms of individual areas, which can be accessed on the website of The Environment Agency of Iceland. Regulations concerning off-road driving can also be found here.

All apart from the Vatnajökull national park and Thingvellir national park which are individual agencies. All matters regarding those national parks should be directed to their respective agencies.

In nature conservation areas it is common that disturbance to geological features is prohibited and therefor stone picking are not allowed. Braking rocks from solid rocks and from caves is in some cases not allowed but although in cases it is not forbidden no one should brake rocks and minerals from rock formation as it is vandalism to nature. According to the Icelandic Nature Conservation Act exporting of rocks and minerals requires permit from the Icelandic Institute of Nature Research.

Management and conservation plans have not yet been translated into English.

The purpose of the management and protection plan is to create a framework for the management and development of the areas in a transparent manner. By working on plans in cooperation with the rights holders and other interested parties, the intention is to create the greatest harmony concerning the areas and their protection, and as such achieve optimal results in the protection of each area. When a management and protection plan exist for an area, it is a guidebook for the Environment Agency's advisors and rangers in the operation and development of areas. The Icelandic Environment Agency considers the operation of the areas as a joint project between the state, municipalities, and the visitors who access the areas. The Environmental Agency has this role according to Article 81. act on nature conservation (no. 60/2013) that management and protection plan for protected areas are drawn up. The plan is prepared in cooperation with the municipality, landowners, and in some cases other interested parties and the work is presented in an open presentation process so that all stakeholders can comment on the work process.

Hunting is permitted in protected areas unless the protection, special laws or management and protection plan state otherwise. It is important that hunters study the rules that apply in protected areas before going hunting. Information about protected areas can be found here.

In general, hunting of mink is in accordance with the Act on protection, preservation and hunting of wild birds and wild mammals no. 64/1994, but mink is considered an alien invasive species. An alien invasive species is a species that has been imported, has adapted to Icelandic conditions and reproduces as well as taking over ecosystems with an impact on the existing ecosystem.

Different rules apply to fox hunting than to mink, as the fox is a native species. In certain areas, fox hunting is prohibited according to special rules established based on the Act on nature conservation.

In general, conservation measures do not affect angling permits. It is important that people who intend to fish study the rules that apply in each specific area.

Alien invasive species are species of plants or animals that have been imported into the country, have adapted to Icelandic conditions, and are multiplying as well as taking over the ecosystem with an impact on the existing ecosystem.

Licensing within protected areas vary depending on the objectives of the protection. To make sure if permit is required, you can contact the Environmental Agency for further information. See also detailed answer to the question where can I find the protection terms of individual protected areas. Licenses from other organizations may also apply. Research in geothermal sites requires a permit from the National Energy Authority, research by rivers and lakes requires a permit from The Directorate of Fisheries, in the vicinity of cultural monuments a permit is required from The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland, for exporting samples requires a permit from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. In addition, permission of landowners or rights holders must be obtained. The list of possible licensors is not exhaustive. For further information on license requirement, you need to contact the appropriate authority.

In most cases where sampling causes ground disturbance, permission from the Environment Agency is required. Licenses from other organizations may also apply. Research in geothermal sites requires a permit from the National Energy Authority, research by rivers and lakes requires a permit from The Directorate of Fisheries, in the vicinity of cultural monuments a permit is required from The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland, for exporting samples requires a permit from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. In addition, permission of landowners or rights holders must be obtained. The list of possible licensors is not exhaustive. For further information on license requirement, you need to contact the appropriate authority.

In general, a permit is not required for general monitoring within protected areas, e.g. bird counts or assessment of the flowering of plants if there is no need to disturb nature or walk off designated footpaths. If it the monitoring requires any disturbance on nature or the use of drone, the project may require a permit. It is important to seek information from the Environment Agency of Iceland if in doubt.

You apply for research permits through the Environmental Agency's service portal or at this site.

The Environmental Agency is authorized to charge a fee for the processing of license applications. The fee shall be in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the minister of environment and published. The tariff can be found on the website of the Environment Agency. The fee should not be higher than the cost of processing the application.