🫐 Can I pick berries on land I do not own?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on the land — Iceland does not have a full Nordic right to roam and pick anywhere. Under Article 27 of the Nature Conservation Act no. 60/2013 the rule has two halves. On public land (national land, for example in the highlands) anyone may pick berries, mushrooms, moss-herbs and plants, as well as shellfish and seaweed on the shore. On private land it is different: picking is subject to the permission of the landowner — but you may pick for consumption on the spot. The myth many bring from Sweden or Finland: that the right to roam lets you fill a bucket of berries on any land. That is wrong in Iceland — on private land you may eat a handful of blueberries where you stand, but not take the bucket home without the permission of the owner. The rules do not cover protected plants on parts A and B of the nature conservation register, and the Nature Conservation Agency may restrict picking to protect species.

📋 The rules

On public land anyone may pick berries, mushrooms, moss-herbs and plants, as well as shellfish and seaweed on the shore (Article 27 of Act no. 60/2013).
On private land picking is subject to the permission of the landowner or rights holder — the main rule is that private land is not open for picking without consent.
The exception on private land: picking for consumption on the spot is allowed, that is eating where you stand, but not taking any home without permission.
The allowance does not cover protected plants on parts A and B of the nature conservation register; those may not be picked wherever they grow.
Commercial picking is separately regulated, and the Nature Conservation Agency may ban or restrict picking of species or areas to guard against overuse.

🔓 Exceptions

On private land you may eat berries and mushrooms on the spot without permission — the ban concerns taking the harvest away, not tasting on a walk.
A landowner may grant permission to pick and even charge for access; agreement with the owner prevails over the general rule on private land.
On public land picking for personal use is free, but protected species and the special rules of protected areas can still restrict it.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Picking without permission on private land is at heart a breach of the property rights of the landowner, and they can order you off and demand that you hand back the harvest. Breaches of the Nature Conservation Act can carry a penalty under Article 90: fines or up to 2 years in prison, though that applies mainly to more serious cases such as picking protected plants or organised overuse. Picking protected plants from parts A and B of the nature conservation register is a separate and more serious offence regardless of the land. The hidden cost is twofold. On one hand, commercial picking without notification or against the restrictions of the Nature Conservation Agency can lead to sanctions. On the other, there is the damage to trust: landowners who suffer intrusion tend to close off their land, so what looks like a harmless berry trip can cut off access for others later. The main rule is simple — ask permission on private land if you intend to take anything with you.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I pick berries on land I do not own?

It depends on whether the land is public or private — on public land anyone may pick berries and mushrooms, but on private land picking is subject to the permission of the landowner. On private land you may still eat berries on the spot; what needs permission is taking the harvest home with you.

Does the Nordic right to roam apply to berry picking in Iceland?

Not in full — Iceland does not have as broad a right to roam as Sweden or Finland when it comes to taking berries away from private land. On Icelandic private land you may taste on the spot but need the permission of the owner to fill a bucket and take it home, so the rule is narrower than many visitors assume.

Can I pick mushrooms in the highlands?

Yes, on public land such as much of the highlands anyone may pick mushrooms, berries, moss-herbs and plants for personal use under Article 27 of Act no. 60/2013. The exception is protected species and areas with special rules, where picking may be restricted or banned to protect nature.

Can I sell the berries I pick?

Commercial picking is separately regulated, and the minister may set rules on sustainable use and a duty to notify the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. The Nature Conservation Agency may also ban or restrict picking of individual species or in defined areas, so picking for sale is not as free as picking for personal use.

What happens if I pick without permission on private land?

The landowner can order you off and demand that you hand back what you have picked, since picking without permission is at heart a breach of their property rights. More serious cases, such as picking protected plants or overuse, can carry a penalty under Article 90 of fines or up to 2 years in prison.

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