Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-iceland
Change description : 2020-12-08 11:01:00: Entry requirements updated on re-entering Iceland. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-09-08 08:36:58 +00:00..2020-12-09 08:38:31 +00:00
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Iceland, including guidance on residency, passports and driving.
You should keep up to date and follow the advice of the Icelandic Authorities. Further information is available at COVID.IS (in English). You can also read our Iceland travel advice for our latest guidance.
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.
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The government has announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may have difficulty completing their residency applications.
This support is available only to those who need additional help. This may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties.
The services available for people who need this additional support include:
In Iceland, this support is being provided by The AIRE Centre. If you or someone you know may have difficulty completing the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.
Visit the AIRE Centre website
Email: eurobrits@airecentre.org
The rules on travel will stay the same until the transition 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.
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 can apply for or renew your British passport from Iceland.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Iceland, and you are in scope of the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement.
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these countries.
From 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.
To stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.
Periods of stay authorised under a visa or permit will not count against the 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
From 1 January 2021, the Icelandic Authorities advise that you should carry a letter from Registers Iceland as well as your passport when you travel. The letter is available in electronic form online, or by appointment, from Registers Iceland for 2700 ISK.
If you cannot show evidence of your status under the Separation Agreement, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped. This will not affect your rights in Iceland.
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.
Social security coordination is covered by the Separation Agreement for those residing in Iceland. Current healthcare arrangements will continue to apply in full to UK nationals who are resident in Iceland before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, for as long as they remain in scope of the agreement. This includes students and S1 holders.
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 make sure you are correctly registered.
If your UK employer has sent you to Iceland temporarily, your access to healthcare is different. Find out how to registeraccess healthcare as a posted worker.
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You must 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 need a national identification number (kennitala) to work in Iceland.
Read our guidance on working in an EEA country.
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check, known as a Police Certificate check.
If you are resident in Iceland on or before 31 December 2020. Your right to work will stay the same as long as you remain resident in Iceland.
If you live in Iceland and commute to work in an EU or EFTA country, from January 2021 you may need a permit to prove that you are a frontier worker. We will update this guidance when more information is available.
You will be issued a tax card when you register with Registers Iceland and obtain 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. 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:
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.
Most people living in Europe should not see any change to their banking after 31 December 2020. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes after 31 December 2020 for more information on cross-border retail banking.
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 transition period ends on 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.
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes after 31 December 2020 for more information on cross-border pensions.
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:
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 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 transition period ends on 31 December 2020, for as long as they reside in Iceland.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until at least 31 December 2020.2021.
Read the guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Read the guidance on importing and registering vehicles in Iceland
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. 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, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Entry requirements updated on re-entering Iceland.
Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
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