Various activities within Vatnajökull National Park require a permit, such as research, film and advertising production, and the use of drones.

Vatnajökull National Park's cooperation with the scientific community is both statutory and extremely valuable. Multidisciplinary research is carried out in the dynamic nature of Vatnajökull National Park every year. The National Park is also a popular location for film and commercial shoots, and the use of drones by tourists is increasingly popular.

Objectives of the establishment of Vatnajökull National Park according to Article 2. in the national park law is to:

Protect the nature of the area, such as landscape, biosphere, geological formations and cultural monuments.

Give the public the opportunity to get to know and enjoy the nature and history of the area.

Promote research in the area, educate about it and encourage increased public understanding of the quality and uniqueness of the area.

Strive to strengthen settlements and business activities in the vicinity of the national park, i.a. by encouraging the sustainable use of the quality of the area.

The aforementioned goals are a guiding light in all the work of the national park and strategic planning, i.a. when contracts are made for private business-related activities in the national park. The primary condition is always that the activities comply with these goals.

Procedures: The purpose of the procedures is to inform the applicant about the requirements for applications and application documents and what requirements must be met in order to be issued a permit. The purpose of the procedural rules is also to inform the applicant which procedure is followed when receiving and processing applications within the administration of Vatnajökull National Park.

Issuing of drone permits is supported by paragraph 1. Article 38 of the regulation on Vatnajökull National Park (300/2020) which states: A national park manager's permit must be obtained for organized events and projects that call for facilities, manpower or the handling of equipment in the national park, such as for filming, art events, gatherings and research. In addition, permission must be obtained from the national park manager for the landing of aircraft and the use of remote-controlled aircraft within Vatnajökull National Park.

The use of remote-controlled aircraft (drones) within Vatnajökull National Park is subject to permission from the national park authorities. When evaluating applications, the national park manager decides on the granting of a permit based on the following considerations:

Conservation of wildlife within the national park;

The national park's goal of a quality visitor experience in the national park.

National park rangers can authorize the use of remote-controlled aircraft if it is ensured that their use does not go against the considerations mentioned above.

List of areas where permits are not issued to fly drones (except possibly for research and filming projects, see the application form)

Skaftafell (Svartifoss, Skaftafellsheiði, Morsárdalur, Kjós and Skaftafellsfjöll etc.) – for bird protection, safety and to ensure a quality visitor experience. The only place in Skaftafell where flying permits are granted is in front of Skaftafellsjökul.

Jökulsárlón and Fellsfjara from April 15 to July 15 – due to bird protection.

Jökulsárgljúfur (including Ásbyrgi, Vesturdalur, Hljóðaklettar, Hafragilsfoss) – for bird protection, safety and to ensure a quality visitor experience.

Askja - To ensure a quiet experience for guests

At some destination sites and service areas in the highlands, rangers can give verbal permission for the use of a remotely piloted aircraft. Assessment of licensing is based on the state of the ecosystem and/or a specific time of day when there is no tourist traffic (early morning or late/evening). The ranger records the granting of the permit on a form prepared for that purpose. This applies in the following areas:

Attention is drawn to the fact that the police and rescue teams do not need to obtain a permit for their work, but it is desirable that they inform the National Park staff about the use of remote-controlled aircraft during their activities, depending on the circumstances.

Please note that you should not apply for a flying license if the project is for profit, but you should apply for a commercial film and advertising license (see further down this page). If the flight is in connection with a research project, it is not necessary to apply for a separate flight permit. See Research Permits further down the page.

A permit must be applied for at least 10 days in advance. However, Vatnajökull National Park does not recommend applying more than four weeks in advance.

VRL-046 DRÖG Umsókn um notkun fjarstýrðra loftfara (í vinnslu)

One of the goals with the establishment of Vatnajökull National Park is to promote research in the area, cf. Paragraph 1 Article 2 Act on Vatnajökull National Park no. 60/2007. According to paragraph 1 Article 38 in the regulation on Vatnajökull National Park no. 300/2020, the permission of the national park manager must be obtained for all projects that require facilities, manpower or the handling of equipment in the national park, including for research within the national park. Permits must be applied for according to this for all research on the natural environment and cultural monuments in Vatnajökull National Park that are not carried out by the national park authorities or part of the implementation of the approved management plan of the national park.

Those who intend to conduct research within the national park must also take care to apply for the required permits for research from other sources, such as in the case of research on microorganisms in geothermal areas, see Article 34. Act no. 57/1998, research on fossils, see Article 60 act on nature conservation no. 60/2013 or research on protected plant or animal species. If a natural artifact is to be exported (a research sample can fall under the term natural artifact), a permit is required from the Natural History Institute of Iceland, see Article 15. Act no. 60/1992.

Those who intend to conduct research according to Article 1. in the national park must fill out an application for a permit and send it to the person responsible for applications. A permit must be applied for at least 30 days in advance.

 VRL 047 DRÖG_Umsókn um rannsóknarleyfi (í vinnslu)

Issuing of comercial film and advertising permits is supported by paragraph 1. Article 38 in regulation on Vatnajökull National Park no. 300/2020, which states: A national park manager's permit must be obtained for organized events and projects that require facilities, manpower or the handling of equipment in the national park, such as for filming, art events, gatherings and research.

Those who intend to engage in filmmaking, advertising or other such activities within the national park must fill out an application for a permit. A permit must be applied for at least 30 days in advance. Film and advertising licenses are charged according to Vatnajökull National Park's price list.

VRL 048 DRÖG_Umsókn vegna skipulagðra viðburða, kvikmyndatöku, auglýsingagerðar o.þ.h. (í vinnslu)

Here you can apply for permission to hold events other than those discussed above. Examples of events can be: sports tournaments, gatherings (weddings, birthdays, family reunions, etc.), concerts, film screenings, etc. An event permit must be applied for as far in advance as the applicant can. In those cases where the national park needs to provide staff, a fee may be charged for event permits according to Vatnajökull National Park's price list.

According to paragraph 5 Article 15 in The Act on Vatnajökull National Park and Article 38 of the Regulations on Vatnajökull National Park one must obtain permission from the national park manager to land an manned aircraft within Vatnajökull National Park. A permit for the landing of manned aircraft must be applied for as far in advance as is possible for the applicant.

VRL 046 DRÖG Umsókn um lendingu loftfara og notkun fjarstýrðra loftfara (í vinnslu)

Practical information before applying for a permit

UAV (drone) permit application for recreational use within Vatnajökull National Park

Drone permit application - recreational use

Film-making, the making of advertisements and other such activities

Research of nature and the natural environment and of cultural remains

Sporting events, gatherings (weddings, birthdays, etc.), concerts, and other such activities

Here you can view the price list of Vatnajökull National Park for issuing permits

Permits

Objectives of the establishment of Vatnajökull National Park according to Article 2. in the national park law is to:

Practical information before applying for a permit

Drone permit

Research permit

Commercial film and advertising permits

Events

Landing of manned aircraft

Drone permit application - recreational use

Commercial filming permit

Research permit

Special event permit

Vatnajökull National Park pricelist