Iceland
Relocating to Iceland.
After moving to Iceland for work, the first weeks are a chain of registrations. In order: register the address, get the kennitala, collect the residence card, register for health cover, open a bank account. Each step unlocks the next, so the order matters. Settio builds this plan for every person you move, with deadlines and a portal in their language.
After arrival
The registrations, in order
- 1Register the address
- 2Get the kennitala
- 3Collect the residence card
- 4Register for health cover
- 5Open a bank account
Authorities
Who does what in Iceland
Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration)
Decides residence permits and the temporary work permits (atvinnuleyfi) filed with them; takes the photo for the residence card
Official websiteSkatturinn (Iceland Revenue and Customs)
Income tax, the relief for foreign experts and system ID numbers (kerfiskennitala) for short stays
Official websiteVinnumálastofnun (Directorate of Labour)
Labour-market information, unemployment benefits and services to immigrants
Official websiteOther countries
- Sweden
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Spain
- Belgium
- Norway
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Ireland
- Italy
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
Official sources
- Alþingi: Lög um atvinnuréttindi útlendinga nr. 97/2002 (consolidated, 1 September 2026)
- Alþingi: Lög um útlendinga nr. 80/2016 (consolidated, 1 September 2026)
- Alþingi: Lög um lögheimili og aðsetur nr. 80/2018 § 13 (a new legal domicile within seven days)
- Alþingi: Lög nr. 45/2007 on posted workers (notification to Vinnueftirlitið no later than the day the work starts)
- Ísland.is: Residence permit based on work (expert knowledge, labour shortage; the 80,000 ISK fee)
- Ísland.is: Apply for a work permit (the employer applies with the residence-permit application; no work before the permit)
- Ísland.is: Residence permit based on work: when the permit is granted
- Ísland.is: Residence permit based on work: rights (family, end of employment, renewal)
- Ísland.is: Refusal of a residence permit (15 days to appeal to the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board)
- Ísland.is: Permanent residence permit: requirements
- Ísland.is: Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration)
- Ísland.is: Vinnumálastofnun (Directorate of Labour)
- Ísland.is: Posted workers: foreign service providers inform Vinnueftirlitið (AOSH)
- Þjóðskrá Íslands (Registers Iceland): moving to Iceland and the kennitala
- Skatturinn (Iceland Revenue and Customs)
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is the first thing to do after moving to Iceland?
Register the address. It unlocks the steps after it.
Which relocation management software covers Iceland?
Settio plans each move to Iceland in one place: the permit, the registrations after arrival (register the address, get the kennitala, collect the residence card), housing, school places and the first weeks, with client and employee portals, quotes and milestone invoices. It runs every EU country in the same workspace.
How does Settio help with relocation in Iceland?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Iceland, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
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Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Reviewed by the Settio team. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information