Medical services while traveling
Vörður warns against the medical clinic Clinic Diamond in the Canary Islands due to fraud cases that have emerged in connection with the clinic. Staff at the clinic have both over-treated patients and subsequently charged them exorbitant amounts. This is the first and hopefully only time Vörður has issued a warning against a specific medical clinic, but given the large number of Icelanders who visit the islands each year, it was decided to follow in the footsteps of a Norwegian insurance company that has also issued a warning against the clinic.
In 2025, 78% of Icelanders travelled abroad according to a survey by the Icelandic Tourist Board, and the measured travel intent for this year is similar. Sun holidays are the most popular, with Spain and Portugal being the most common destinations. Fortunately, very few people need to see a doctor while travelling, but when and if the need arises, it is important to know where to turn to receive the right and proper care.
Fraud Cases
In this particular case, the incidents are localised to the Canary Islands, where Icelandic tourists are being charged unheard-of amounts for basic medical services. Such cases typically follow the same pattern. People in their prime seek assistance in good faith due to illness at small medical clinics. They are met with a friendly reception and what appears to be excellent service, which then turns into its opposite — overdiagnosis, unnecessary medical treatment, and an astronomical bill. People pay either by card or in cash withdrawn from an ATM, with out-of-pocket costs reaching up to 6 million ISK. But how can unsuspecting travellers protect themselves from such fraudulent traps?
SOS to the Rescue
The first thing people should do is contact a recognised service such as the SOS emergency service to get recommendations on which providers are best to turn to at their location should illness arise. People can also contact their insurance company directly for advice. If travelling on a group tour with a tour guide, it is a good idea to consult them.
SOS International is an international emergency service for illness and accidents that travellers have access to around the clock through travel insurance, whether through card insurance or home insurance. Staff at SOS International (http://www.sos.eu) provide guidance — for example, on whether it is best to receive treatment on-site or return home earlier — and also handle flight changes. On the SOS website, there is an interactive map that directs you to the nearest recommended health centre or hospital. SOS confirms that travel insurance is in place and pays for the services you receive, provided the matter is covered. This helps prevent travellers from falling into the hands of fraudulent operations, along with the associated costs and harm.
This does not apply to emergency situations — in those cases, you should always immediately call the emergency number in the country you are in, such as 112 in Europe and 911 in the United States, and request an ambulance.
The European Health Insurance Card
It is also worth reminding travellers that it is important to carry the European Health Insurance Card when travelling in EEA countries. By presenting it, you pay the same price for services in the public healthcare system of that country as its residents do. The card can be applied for online at island.is, and it is best to do so at least two weeks before your trip.
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