Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-iceland
Change description : 2019-05-28 12:47:00: Updated Living in Iceland guidance [Brexit]
Showing diff : ..2019-05-28 11:51:03 +00:00
Guidance
Official information British people moving to and living in Iceland need to know, including EU Exit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.
To keep up to date with information about EU Exit:
You may wish to check the entry requirements for Iceland.
You must register with Registers Iceland and apply for a national identification number (kennitala). You’ll need your identification number to access services in Iceland.
UK nationals living in Iceland must register their domicile with Registers Iceland before the UK leaves the EU in order to be guaranteed a continuous right to reside in Iceland after the UK leaves the EU.
More information can be found at the Icelandic Government’s website.
In the event of changes to residency rules or registration processes after the UK leaves the EU, we will update this page as soon as information is available. Sign up for email updates to this guidance on living in Iceland
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Iceland. If you cannot get a passport in time for your trip, you may need to get an emergency travel document or ‘emergency passport’.
You can look at our travel advice for Iceland and sign up for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
You should check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be new travel rules.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the European Commission has said you may not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the Schengen area or the EU. You may be able to stay up to 90 days in any EU country, within a 180 day period.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of 2020. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.
If you are taking out travel insurance shortly after the UK leaves the EU, you should make sure you know the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy. You should make sure that the policy covers any possible disruption.
If you already have travel insurance, your insurer should let you know if there are changes that will affect you when the UK leaves the EU. If you have questions about what your travel insurance policy covers, or whether it covers possible disruption, contact your insurer.
Once you’re resident in Iceland for 6 months, you automatically become a member of the Iceland social insurance system.
You can read the NHS guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Iceland and how to register.
If you live in Iceland and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
If you are resident in Iceland, you should not be using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Iceland.
You can read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.
You should check your prescriptions are legal in Iceland. You can bring personal prescription medicine for 100 days without a customs declaration, although Icelandic customs officials may ask for a formal doctor’s note.
You can find English-speaking doctors in Iceland.
The UK has reached an agreement with the EEA EFTA states on citizens’ rights in a no deal scenario. The deal protects the rights of UK nationals living in the EEA EFTA states and EEA EFTA nationals living in the UK if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and will enable them to continue living their lives broadly as they do now.
Social security coordination is covered by our citizens’ rights agreements for those residing in Iceland. Current healthcare arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Iceland before the UK leaves the EU, for as long as they reside in Iceland.
This includes students and S1 holders, but not those using an EHIC card as these are for temporary travel.
The UK is working to ensure UK issued EHIC cards will continue to be accepted in EEA EFTA states. However, this would not currently be the case in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. It is important that persons travelling always purchase comprehensive healthcare insurance.
You can read the NHS guidance about healthcare for UK nationals living in and visiting Iceland and how it may change after the UK leaves the EU.
You will need a national identification number (kennitala) to work in Iceland.
You should read our guidance on working in another EU country.
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check, known as a DBS check.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, your right to work will stay the same during the implementation period.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, your right to work will stay the same if you register as a resident before the UK leaves the EU.
If you have not registered as a resident, you must do so through Registers Iceland and apply for a national identification number (kennitala).
If you intend to arrive after the UK leaves the EU your right to work may be different. Please see the Directorate of Immigration for the latest information.
You will be issued a tax card when you register with Registers Iceland and get a national identification number.
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Iceland to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
You should read the guidance on:
You can read the Icelandic government’s guidance on taxes in Iceland. You may also want to look at the Icelandic Directorate of Internal Revenue.
You may be able to pay National Insurance while you are abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it may become more expensive to use your UK bank card in Iceland.
Read more about using a bank card, insurance or other financial service after the UK leaves the EU.
The UK leaving the European Union will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Iceland. You should direct individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire in Iceland, you can claim:
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
The UK government will continue to pay State Pension, child benefits and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after the UK’s exit from the EU. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read our guidance on pensions.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Iceland. You should:
If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits like pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid.
You may be eligible to claim some Icelandic social security benefits. You can read the European Commission’s guidance on Icelandic social security benefits.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
The UK government will continue to pay State Pension, child benefits and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after the UK’s exit from the EU.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.
Please read the guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
You can find guidance on importing and registering vehicles in Iceland here.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.
UK driving licence holders living in Iceland will be able to continue driving using their valid UK licence for at least a year after the UK leaves the EU. Read the Icelandic government´s guidelines for drivers with UK licences.
Please read our guidance on driving in the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you have been domiciled or resident in Iceland for more than 5 years you can vote in municipal elections. See information from Registers Iceland
If your child is born in Iceland, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Iceland you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need:
Strict conditions apply to the importation of pets to Iceland. You can find information on the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority’s website.
You can dial the European emergency number on 112.
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy in Reykjavik.
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
Tell the Icelandic and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
You must tell Registers Iceland that you are leaving Iceland.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
Check if your tax status will change if you return to the UK.
Read our guidance on bringing your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Icelandic authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
2024-10-24 10:18
The section on the EU Entry/Exit Scheme has been updated,
2024-10-15 10:53
Addition of EES guidance for British nationals resident in Iceland.
2024-10-11 10:43
Added information on getting an affirmation of relationship status.
2022-03-11 08:00
Updated sections: Working in Iceland, and National insurance and social security contributions, including information on what to do if you’re working in Iceland for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-12 14:13
Guide reviewed and updated, including the sections on visas and residency, working and driving.
2021-09-28 16:55
Guidance reviewed and updated.
2021-03-03 14:31
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
2020-12-08 11:01
Entry requirements updated on re-entering Iceland.
2020-09-08 09:34
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-06-12 11:58
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-01-24 13:41
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-06-04 15:52
EU Exit update: added new information to ´Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU´ section
2019-05-28 12:47
Updated Living in Iceland guidance