Iceland 101

Essential Information for Living in Iceland

Röskva is working to increase the visibility of international students and their contributions to campus life at the University of Iceland. Whether that means advocating for student rights and well-being within the university or in the broader community, Röskva strives for increased equity and accessibility for international students.

This page is a comprehensive guide for international residents and students in Iceland. It covers essential topics such as healthcare access, insurance, emergency services, housing, transportation, and immigration. Its purpose is to help newcomers navigate daily life in Iceland with practical information and useful contacts.

Staying in Iceland - General information

If you are a Nordic citizen

You can stay in Iceland without a residence permit for up to 3 months from your arrival or stay up to 6 months if you are seeking employment. If you intend to work for less than 6 months you need to contact Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) and apply for a system ID number. It does not grant you any rights nor confirm your right to residency. Following the allocation of a system ID number, a tax card will be issued. Visit: https://www.skatturinn.is/english/individuals/ for more information.

If you intend to stay for more than 6 months you have to register a legal domicile in Iceland. Within 7 days of your arrival, you must go to the office of Registers Iceland or the nearest police office to register, remember to bring your passport or other valid travel document. The Nordic agreement stipulates that you can only register one legal domicile in the Nordic countries. That means that when you register a legal domicile in Iceland your home country is notified and registers you as having moved to Iceland. It is important to register as soon as possible since the right to public service and assistance is mostly dependent on a registered legal domicile. Following your registration you will be listed in the National Registry and allocated a personal ID number. With an Icelandic ID number you can open a bank account.

If you are from the EEA / EFTA Region

If you intend to stay for more than 6 months to work you must prove that you are employed by a legal entity in Iceland and that their wages comply with requirements for minimum living expenses. You must apply for registration in the national registry for a period exceeding 6 months along with a passport or a legal travel document and an employer’s confirmation. If you are a student staying for more than one term (3-4 months) you must request to be registered as a student. You will need to fill out an application for registration in the national registry for a period exceeding 6 months. With it you must submit a copy of your passport or legal travel document, confirmation of school admission, exchange student agreement (if applicable), confirmation of health insurance and documents confirming your ability to provide means of support. Following your registration you will be allocated a personal ID number. With an Icelandic ID number you can open a bank account.

If you are a citizen of a country outside EEA / EFTA

You can stay in Iceland without a residence permit for up to 3 months. If you intend to stay longer you need to apply for a residence permit. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration decides whether residence permits are issued. When a residence permit is issued a legal domicile is requested to be registered in the National Registry, along with the additional documentation. Following your registration you will be allocated a personal ID number. With an Icelandic ID number you can open a bank account.

For further information visit: https://www.skra.is/english/people/change-of-address/moving-to-iceland/

Healthcare

You can access healthcare for non-emergencies at Heilsugæslan. Heilsugæsla Höfuðborgarsvæðisins, translated to Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, is where the residents of the Reykjavík metropolitan area can get medical services. Heilsugæsla Höfuðborgarsvæðisins operates fifteen healthcare centers in Reykjavík and its suburbs in addition to five mental health teams. People visit Heilsugæslan for routine doctor appointments and interviews, certificates and prescriptions, vaccinations, specialist referrals, nurse consultations, and general health promotion. All centers provide minor accident and urgent care. The care you receive at Heilsugæslan is inexpensive, and the centers charge a visiting fee of 500 ISK. Here is a list of services that Heilsugæslan provides.

You can book an appointment, but walk-in services are also provided after-hours, from 16:00 to 17:00, for abrupt illnesses. The website heilsuvera.is provides electronic communication through chats. You can also book a doctor's appointment on Heilsuvera by logging into My Pages or calling a health care center. You can always consult a nurse by phone by calling a health care center, but a phone consultation with a doctor must always be booked. Here is a list of phone numbers for each center. You can find which center is registered to you on Heilsuvera. It will likely be the one closest to your residence.

Health Insurance

Iceland provides healthcare to all its residents; however, international students are not immediately covered by the public healthcare system. During the first six months of their stay, they must rely on private health insurance, which is typically purchased during the visa application process. If you need medical assistance during this period, you must contact your insurance provider to understand how they can assist you. Some insurance companies may not cover costs below a certain threshold (e.g., ISK 50,000), meaning smaller expenses might need to be paid out of pocket. However, any charges exceeding this amount may be covered by your insurance provider, depending on your policy.

For EU/EEA citizens, the waiting period can be bypassed if they have been insured, employed, or held residence in another Nordic or EEA country before moving to Iceland. In such cases, they can access universal healthcare immediately upon arrival, provided they supply the necessary documentation proving their previous coverage. After six months of legal residence, all individuals, including international students, are automatically enrolled in the Icelandic public healthcare system, granting them access to universal healthcare.

Several Icelandic insurance companies offer private health insurance coverage for those who need it during the waiting period. These companies include Sjóvá, VÍS, and TM. It's advisable to get quotes from these companies to help you decide which insurance coverage is best for you during your initial months in Iceland. Private health insurance is no longer needed once the waiting period is over and public health coverage applies. Here you can find more information on health insurance

Læknavaktin

Medical Outpatient Clinic

Location: Háaleitisbraut 68, 103 Reykjavík

Phone: 1770

Læknavaktin is an after-hours clinic that provides medical services outside the regular opening hours of Heilsugæslan. It is intended for those who need urgent medical attention but do not require emergency hospital care and cannot wait until the next weekday to seek medical care at Heilsugæslan. General practitioners and experienced specialist doctors provide medical services at Læknavaktin. Nurses also offer phone consultations and referrals. To access the helpline call 1770 for Læknavaktin or 1700 for Heilsugæslan.

There is no need to book an appointment with Læknavaktin, everyone is free to use their service outside of the opening hours of Heilsugæslan. There is always a doctor and a nurse on shift, but everyone should go to their nearest health center if possible. Examples of services they provide include doctor consultations for acute illnesses, common rapid tests, treatment of minor injuries e.g. stitching minor cuts, emergency prescription renewals, telephone helpline, and certificates for illnesses or accidents. Læknavaktin does not provide dental services but for emergency dental care you can call the dental outpatient clinic at 426-8000.

Læknavaktin offers medical visits to homes outside of daytime hours for Reykjavík and the greater metropolitan area. You can request a visit by calling 1700. Nurses answer the calls and provide advice and assess the need for a visit. Læknavaktin charges more than Heilsugæslan but the exact amount depends on your insurance coverage and the decision of the government at the time:

Their services are however free for children, disabled people and pensioners.

The opening hours:

Weekdays: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Weekends: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Public holidays and observances: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, except on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, when it is closed between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

The office phone number is 544-4113, with opening hours every weekday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For more information please visit: https://laeknavaktin.is/

Emergency care

Main ER at Fossvogur
Location: Áland 6, 108 Reykjavík.
Phone number: 543-1000

A few emergency room units are available in Reykjavík. The main emergency room is located at Fossvogur and is mainly intended for accidents, poisoning, rape, and acute illnesses.

Sexual Assault: Victims of sexual abuse, assault or rape can visit for support, advice, medical examination, and treatment, as well as evidence sampling 24/7. This service is considered a priority and is free of charge as well as being in no way dependent on a patient’s decision of reporting the perpetrator. Trauma care and psychological help are also provided free of charge. This unit has a staff of doctors, gynecologists, primary care physicians, and lawyers at the patient’s disposal. Any reports from a visit can not be handed over to the police without the patient’s written permission. The ER is legally obligated to report assaults on children under 18. It is best to call beforehand if possible so a care team can be prepared (Main ER phone number).

Poison Centre: A clinical pharmacist is always on call for instructions regarding poisonings. Call if you have concerns over accidental drug consumption and/or incorrect dosing, unexpected side effects of drugs, contact with dangerous substances, and other poison-related instances. Always call 112 for acute symptoms.

Phone number: 543-2222 (always reachable)

Hringbraut

Children’s ER: The children’s hospital “Hringur” is open at all hours for acutely ill children under the age of 18. No phone service is provided. The main entrance is open from 7 AM to 11 PM over the work week and 10 AM to 10 PM over the weekend. The night entrance is otherwise used, facing Eiríksgata.

Psychiatric ER: Intended for acute psychiatric problems. Treatments are short-term but actions are taken to provide appropriate ways to acquire long-term treatments. Take note that no addictive and narcotic drugs will be prescribed or handed out.

Phone: 543-4050

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12 PM to 7 PM; Sat-Sun 1 PM to 5 PM

Obstetrics and Gynaecology: For pregnant people who experience highly worrisome and unusual activity during the first three months of pregnancy. Especially bleeding, acute pain, contractions, signs of preeclampsia, or acute questions regarding the start of birthing. Only if they experience these anomalies can they receive service, for all other problems they must have a referral from a doctor.

Phone: 543-3250

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3 PM to 11 PM; Sat-Sun 3 PM to 11 PM

Dentistry

Tannhjálp is a dentistry clinic and emergency center. No fee is charged for a consultation through phone, which is reachable 24/7. Note that it is necessary to call or send an email to book an appointment during opening hours. Call if you experience bleeding gums, fractures, cracks or loose adult teeth, fallout teeth, etc.

Phone: 567-0707 (always reachable)

Email: tannhjalp@tannhjalp.is

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 8 AM to 5 PM; Fri 8 AM to 7 PM; Sat-Sun 9 AM to 5 PM

Location: Hlíðasmári 17, Kópavogur, 4th floor

NOTE: Must make an appointment by phone or email

Tannlæknavaktin is a dentistry emergency centre as well but located in Reykjavík. It provides the same services as Tannhjálp but the cost will range from 4.500 to 50.000 ISK. Payment must be made through cash or credit card. Their website provides instructions on how to react to abnormalities and incidents regarding mouth health:

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 8 AM to 10 PM

Weekends: 10 AM to 8 PM

Phone: 426-8000

Location: Skipholt 33, 105 Reykjavík

Psychological care

Sálfræðiþjónusta í HÍ

Psychological care in Iceland is unfortunately not a part of health insurance and is often quite expensive. Only in special cases is it possible to get at most twelve interviews over six months discounted through referrals from your Heilsugæsla. Only specific psychologists can accept these clients and are therefore in high demand.

It’s obvious that regular visits to a psychologist is not within the budget of the average university student. HÍ offers a good solution by offering 1-3 interviews per semester, free of charge. They can be in Icelandic, English or German. Two clinical psychologists work for HÍ, both of which are only in a 50% part-time position. Those interested can book an appointment through the email salfraedingar@hi.is.

Because HÍ is a teaching university, there is a nice loophole to get cheap but reliable service. You can book appointments with current Master’s students who are training to become clinical psychologists. Those students will be under the guidance of specialists in clinical psychology. They can take on clients with known problems such as depression, social anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia, alcohol abuse, and simple phobias. They will consider other problems so long as they are easily discernible and can be treated over a relatively short period, often less than 10 interviews. This service is only available over the school semester and costs only 1.500 ISK per interview! Oddly enough, they are always eager to treat people with arachnophobia (phobia of spiders).

Adults can apply for themselves here and their children here.

Pieta Organization

If you experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm, we urge you to reach out to the Pieta organization. They offer support, prevention, education, and treatment work against suicide and self-harm. You will be offered a free assessment interview and are welcome to bring someone with you if you like. They prioritize empathy and creating a warm and welcoming environment. Support groups are provided as well for people who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Phone: 552-2218 (open 24/7)

The Red Cross

Trained and experienced volunteers are on-call 24/7, both through phone calls and an online chat. No problem is too small or big for them. They can range from loneliness, economics, and unemployment to abuse, trauma, addiction, and eating disorders. It is not possible to call them through a private number but everything that is talked about is revealed in total confidence and anonymity is 100%. If you reach out through their online chat, you should know that they can see what you are writing even though you have not sent it and you have to pick a language to be connected to a consultant. Please hang on for a few minutes if you haven’t reached a consultant immediately, there can come busy moments on the line.

Phone: 1717 (open 24/7)

Útlendingastofnun -
The Directorate of Immigration

Location: Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur Phone: 444-0900

The Directorate of Immigration handles applications for residence permits, Icelandic citizenship, international protection, visas, refugee travel documents, and passports for foreign nationals.

The application deadline for a residence permit for students is June 1st for the autumn semester and November 1st for the spring semester each year. Student permit applications submitted with complete documentation by the deadline will be processed before the semester begins.

You must book an appointment to have your photo taken for a residence permit card.

Appointments can be scheduled through the noona website or the noona app, where you will need to provide your name, phone number, and date of birth.
If you forget your appointment details, you can check the date and time in the app. A reminder text will also be sent the day before.
If necessary, you are able to cancel the appointment with a single click in the app

A fee is required for processing applications for residence permits, Icelandic citizenship, and visas. Once an application is submitted, the fee is non-refundable.

Residence permit application: 16,000 ISK
Residence permit renewal application: 16,000 ISK
Permanent residence permit application: 22,000 ISK
Residence card issuance and renewal for family members of EEA/EFTA citizens: 8,000 ISK

Application Payment and Submission Guidelines

Digital Applications: Payment must be made during the final step of the online application process. Bank transfers are not accepted. This applies to applications for Icelandic citizenship, permanent residence permits, and residence permit renewals.

Paper applications: The processing fee must be paid by bank transfer, and the payment receipt must be attached to the application. Unpaid applications will be returned. Paper applications can be submitted via the drop box at the Directorate of Immigration (Dalvegur 18), sent by email, or handed in and paid for at the Directorate’s reception or District Commissioners’ offices outside the capital area.

Payment Instructions for Bank Transfers

Paper applications must be paid for before submission and include a payment receipt, or they will be returned. This also applies to applications with incomplete payments.
The applicant’s name and date of birth must be included in the payment explanation.
The payment receipt should include:
- Payer’s name
- Payer’s date of birth/ID number (kennitala)
- Payment recipient
- Explanation (applicant’s name and date of birth)
- Amount paid
- Date of payment
Be aware that banks may charge a commission fee for international transfers. If not paid separately, this fee will be deducted from the transferred amount.
Do not pay for online applications via bank transfer – these must be paid in the final step of the online application process.

Atvinna - Directorate of Labour

Location: Grensásvegur 9

Phone: 00354 515 4800

Email address: atvinnuleyfi@vmst.is

Phone hours for work permits: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 AM to 11 AM

People who are citizens of countries outside the EEA or EFTA must obtain a work permit to be employed in Iceland. The EEA refers to the European Economic Area, while EFTA stands for the European Free Trade Association.

General Information on Work Permits

Students from non-EU/EEA countries in Iceland cannot begin employment without a valid work permit. Before starting a job, you must inform your employer that, as a non-EU/EEA national, you are legally required to obtain a work permit before working in Iceland.

Application Process

Work Permit Application:

Once you have secured a job, you and your employer must complete the work permit application form, Download the form here. The form must be signed by both you and your employer.

Union Approval: You must check with the relevant trade union for approval. The trade union may review your employment contract and other conditions. The union’s confirmation and signature are required for the application (except Efling).

Employment Contract: Your employer must provide a signed employment contract stating job details, working hours, and salary.

Submission to UTL: Once all documents are completed and signed, submit them to the Directorate of Immigration (UTL). UTL will then forward your application to the Directorate of Labour (VMST) for processing.

Processing Time & Work Restrictions

The processing time for a work permit varies; it can take anywhere from one to three months.
You are not allowed to start working or receive a salary until the work permit has been approved.

Housing

Student Housing is the most convenient choice for international students. Félagsstofnun Stúdenta (FS) runs all housing facilities at the University of Iceland. They offer various types of rooms, including rooms with shared facilities, studios, apartments for couples and family apartments with one, two and three bedrooms. Most of the facilities are located on campus, two are located in the center of Reykjavík, and one is in Fossvogur. Visit their website for more information. There you can see photos of the facilities offered and you can find an application form. You can apply for housing all year round.

Housing Benefits

Those renting Student Housing can apply for housing benefits, which are monthly payments intended to assist people who rent residential properties. The amount you receive depends on the number of people in the household, income, assets and rent price. The conditions for receiving housing benefits are that applicants must be 18 years or older and they need to have permanent registration at their place of rent in Iceland. If your permanent registration is being processed by Immigration and you only have a system ID, you will need to wait until the registration is complete before you can apply. Visit the island.is website to view the application form and find more information.

Housing for International Students

If you are applying for student housing for the first time without a kennitala, you will be required to pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. This deposit serves as insurance for any potential damages to the housing:

When you vacate the accommodation, an inspection will be conducted.
If there are any damages, the cost of repairs will be deducted from your security deposit.
If no damages are found, the full deposit will be refunded to you after your contract ends with FS (Félagsstofnun Stúdenta, Student Housing Office).

Another housing option for students is BN.is, which provides rental listings for students in Iceland.

Grocery shopping

There are many great restaurants in Reykjavík offering a variety of food, from fast food to fine dining. However, for students on a budget, eating out every day is not a realistic option. Thankfully, there is a selection of supermarkets to choose from.

The best prices:

Prís: is the cheapest supermarket in Iceland as of January 2025, they offer a variety of food and household products. You should however note that they only have one location.

Bónus: is also a cheap option with a good selection and multiple locations around the city.

Krónan: is similar to Bónus, with a good selection and multiple locations.

Higher prices, but wider selection:

Nettó: is a combination grocery and department store with an array of everyday items and relatively affordable groceries.

Hagkaup: offers an extensive range of products, including food, household products, toys, cosmetics and clothes. The food prices are relatively higher but they have convenient opening hours, with most branches open until midnight or 24/7.

Other supermarkets include Iceland, Krambúðin, 10-11 and Melabúðin. Use your phone’s map to find the supermarket closest to you along with information about opening hours.

Another budget- and environmentally friendly option is using Freedges. Those are community fridges where you can donate food and take what others have donated for free. The goal is to reduce food waste and build a stronger community through food sharing. Visit their website for more information and locations.

Transportation

You might have noticed the prevalence of private cars since arriving in Iceland, but don’t worry, there are other ways of getting around than buying a car!

There are walking and biking paths all around and the city has a special Biking Plan which aims to promote cycling and developing cycling infrastructure. During winter the city uses a winter service response plan to monitor conditions on the paths to ensure safe travels. Cycling is a great choice that is both good for the environment and your health.

Electric scooters have become a popular method of transport in recent years. You download the app of the scooter company and are charged for the amount of time you use it. The scooters do not have to be returned to specific stations, instead, you can jump on and off as you need within a certain area. The most common scooter companies in Reykjavík are Hopp and Zolo. Using scooters is both a budget- and eco-friendly way to travel.

The public transport system in Iceland is Strætó. The buses travel around Reykjavík and outside the capital area. You can pay for a single ticket, 1 and 3-day pass, 1-month pass, or 12-month pass. But as a student you are entitled to a 50% discount on 1-month and 12-month passes! In order to buy tickets and use them when you enter the bus it is best to download the Klappið app to your phone. Klapp is an account-based ticketing system recommended by Strætó. You can also pay with Klapp ten which is a 10 ticket paper pass, the Klapp card which is plastic and refillable, you can use contactless payments or you can pay with cash (but know that drivers don’t give change in the capital area).

For more information on the Strætó system visit straeto.is.

If you need a taxi there are a few options you can take. Hopp offers taxi services in the capital area and you book it through the app. Hreyfill and BSR are two of the biggest taxi companies and you can book them through downloading their apps or by telephone:

Hreyfill: +354-588-5522 / Hreyfill Taxi App

BSR: +354-561-0000 / BSR App

In busy areas of Reykjavík there are also designated taxi stands where you can wait for the next available taxi.