Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-iceland
Change description : 2020-06-12 11:58:00: 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. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-24 13:44:35 +00:00..2020-06-12 11:05:16 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Iceland, including guidance on Brexit, residency, passports and driving.
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You should:
sign up for email alerts on living in Iceland
follow the British Embassy Reykjavík on Facebook and Twitter
You can also:
Check the entry requirements for Iceland.
If you plan to stay for more than three months you must register with Registers Iceland to obtain a national identification number (Kennitala). You will need your identification number in order to access most services in Iceland e.g. open a bank account, apply for telephone and internet connection, access to Icelandic health insurance and more.
You must apply for full registration as your employer may have applied for a system ID (Kerfiskennitala) on your behalf for payment and tax purposes. Be aware that this system ID does not register you as resident in Iceland. The majority of current long term residents will already have full registration. However, if in doubt, check your status with Registers Iceland.
UK nationals living in Iceland must apply for registration with Registers Iceland before the endtransition of the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020, in order to obtain the continuous right to reside in Iceland under the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement.
Your current or previous employer may have applied for a system ID (Kerfiskennitala) for you for wage payment and tax purposes. This type of application does not register you as resident in Iceland.
You can check your status with Registers Iceland. Read the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration’s website for more information.
If there are changes to residency registration processesprocesses, after Brexit, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.
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The rules on travel will stay the same until the endtransition of the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Iceland.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
WhetherIt you’re travelling before or after Brexit, it is important to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs. You must make sure you know the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy and make sure that the policy covers any possible disruption.
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Once you’re resident in Iceland for 6 months, you automatically become a member of the Iceland social insurance system.
Read the 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.
You can apply for an S1 certificate through the Business Services Authority.
If you are resident in Iceland, you must not use your EHIC from the UK for healthcare in Iceland.
When you travel from Iceland for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
for more information read our travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance
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You need a national identification number (kennitala) to work in Iceland.
Read our guidance on working in anotheran EU country.
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check, known as a Police Certificate check.
If you are resident in Iceland afteron Brexit
or before 31 December 2020. Your right to work will stay the same as long as you remain resident in Iceland.
You will be issued a tax card when you register with Registers Iceland and obtain a national identification number.
The UK has a double-taxationdouble taxation agreement with Iceland to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Iceland have not changed.
Read the guidance on:
if you leave the UK to live abroad
tax on your UK income if you live abroad
paying income tax in Iceland by the European Union
Read the Icelandic government’s guidance on taxes in Iceland. Check the Icelandic Directorate of Internal Revenue.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Iceland. Send your taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You must 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:
your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim
your Icelandic pension if you’ve worked in Iceland
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.
Social security coordination is covered by the Separation Agreement for those residing in Iceland. Current benefit arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Iceland before the endtransition ofperiod theends implementationon period,31 December 2020, for as long as they reside in for as long as they reside in an EEA EFTA state (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway). This includes the right to an uprated UK State Pension.
You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pensions and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Iceland. You should:
read our guidance on which benefits you can claim if you live abroad
use our tool to check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them
Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You may be eligible to claim some Icelandic social security benefits. 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 the UK State Pension, child benefits and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.31 January 2020.
Social security coordination is covered by the Separation Agreement. Current benefit arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Iceland before the endtransition ofperiod theends implementationon period,31 December 2020, for as long as they reside in Iceland.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until at least 31 December 2020.
Read the guidance on:
driving licence renewal and exchange
what you need to drive abroad
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Read the guidance on importing and registering vehicles in Iceland.
Driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote
If you have been domiciled or resident in Iceland for more than 5 years you can vote in municipal elections. Read 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:
read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Iceland
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need:
Strict conditions apply to the importation of pets to Iceland. For information, see 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.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
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.
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.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
EU Exit update: added new information to ´Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU´ section
Updated Living in Iceland guidance
EU Exit update: new information on UK driving licences after EU Exit date
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update: Added information on double taxation in the money and tax section.
EU Exit update: Added a link to the EEA EFTA Citizens´ Rights Agreement in the EU Exit section
EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving
EU Exit update: link added for EEA EFTA Separation Agreement
EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
Updated July 2018 with new wording about driving licences in Iceland
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
First published.
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