Patient Rights in Iceland
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Icelandic Acts of the Althingi, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The Patients' Rights Act guarantees fundamental rights for everyone receiving healthcare in Iceland:
- Informed consent: You have the right to decide whether to accept or refuse treatment.
- Right to information: You are entitled to information about your health condition, recovery prospects, and planned treatment.
- Right to choose provider: You may choose your healthcare provider within the framework of the system.
- Documentation: If you refuse information or designate a proxy, this must be recorded in your medical record.
- Privacy: Your medical information is confidential and may only be shared with your consent or as required by law.
When does it apply?
- You are receiving any form of healthcare in Iceland — primary care, hospital care, specialist care, or mental health care.
What to Do If Your Patient Rights Are Violated in Iceland
- Ask questions — your provider is legally required to inform you about your condition and treatment options.
- You may designate another person to receive information on your behalf.
- If your rights are violated, file a complaint with the Directorate of Health (Landlæknir).
What should you NOT do?
- Don't consent to treatment you don't understand — ask for a clear explanation or request an interpreter.
- Don't assume your medical data can be shared freely — it requires your consent.
Common Questions
What patient rights do I have in Iceland?
Under the Patients' Rights Act (Lög nr. 74/1997), you have the right to informed consent, to receive information about your health condition and planned treatment, to choose your healthcare provider within the system, and to refuse treatment. Your medical information is confidential and may only be shared with your consent or as required by law.
Can I refuse medical treatment in Iceland?
Yes. Informed consent means you have the right to decide whether to accept or refuse treatment. You may also designate another person to receive information on your behalf. If you refuse information or designate a proxy, this must be recorded in your medical record. Ask questions — your provider is legally required to inform you about your condition and options.
Where do I report violated patient rights in Iceland?
File a complaint with the Directorate of Health (Landlæknir). Don't consent to treatment you don't understand — ask for a clear explanation or request an interpreter. Your medical data cannot be shared freely; disclosures require your consent. The Patients' Rights Act protects your autonomy across primary care, hospital care, specialist care, and mental health care.
When does it apply — patient rights?
You are receiving any form of healthcare in Iceland — primary care, hospital care, specialist care, or mental health care.
What should I do if my doctor did not get my informed consent or shared my medical information without permission in Iceland?
Ask questions — your provider is legally required to inform you about your condition and treatment options.You may designate another person to receive information on your behalf.If your rights are violated, file a complaint with the Directorate of Health (Landlæknir).
What should you NOT do — patient rights?
Don't consent to treatment you don't understand — ask for a clear explanation or request an interpreter.Don't assume your medical data can be shared freely — it requires your consent.