Helplines in Iceland
In an emergency, call 112, which covers ambulance, fire and police; you can also reach it by web chat at 112.is. If you need someone to talk to, the Red Cross runs Hjálparsími 1717, a free listening line and chat open around the clock. For a health problem that is not an emergency, the primary care duty line on 1700 answers 24/7.
The services listed here mainly work in Icelandic, and none of them states that it offers English. In an emergency, call 112 anyway; operators are used to visitors and will usually find a way to help. The 112.is web chat can also be easier if speaking feels too hard.
If you are a woman experiencing violence in a relationship, the Kvennaathvarf (Women's Shelter) hotline on 561 1205 is open 24 hours a day, for you, your relatives or professionals. Its address is kept confidential for safety, so the hotline is the way in and arranges places. Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík (553 3000) offers advice and support groups for people who have experienced violence, including a group for Polish women. Stígamót (562 6868) offers counselling for survivors of sexual violence, on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00. LGBTQ+ people and their families can book free, confidential counselling through Samtökin '78 on 552 7878, and SÁÁ (530 7600) is the national addiction treatment organisation.
Dial Icelandic numbers as shown, from a mobile or landline. 112 works on any phone, including a foreign SIM. Each number was checked at its official source, with the date shown.
Emotional support
Domestic violence
Women
LGBTQ+
Alcohol and drugs
Questions about getting help in Iceland
What is the emergency number in Iceland?
In Iceland, call 112 and 1700 in an emergency. If someone's life is at risk, don't wait: call straight away. Emergency calls are free.
Is there a free mental health helpline in Iceland?
Yes. Hjálparsími Rauða krossins 1717 (1717). Details, opening hours and the official source for each number are listed on this page.
Can I get help in English in Iceland?
The services listed here mainly work in the local language, and their official pages don't say they offer English. Emergency services usually find a way to help, and many volunteers speak some English, so it is still worth calling.
Where can women experiencing violence get help in Iceland?
Contact Kvennaathvarf (Women's Shelter) hotline (561 1205), Bjarkarhlíð (553 3000) and Stígamót (562 6868). Shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, so the helpline is the way in. In immediate danger, call 112.
Numbers are checked against each service's own website on the date shown. Services change, so if a number doesn't work please tell me: hello@michellefernando.com.