List of safe countries

Basic human rights are generally respected in the states on this list and cases of applicants for international protection, who are nationals of these countries, are usually given priority by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. Usually citizens of these states, who apply for protection in Iceland, are not granted protection; instead they are returned to their state of origin. Each case is especially examined on its own accord, however, taking into account the appropriate information at any time. The fact that an applicant comes from a state on the list can never lead to the Directorate of Immigration not taking his/her case up for consideration or rejecting the application without prior examination. When appropriate, cases of nationals of states on the list undergo general material procedure; therefore the list is only intended for guideline purposes.

EU member states
 

In order to become a member state of the European Union (EU) a state must guarantee basic human rights and freedom for its citizens. Therefore, citizens of EU member states are generally deemed as coming from safe states of origin.

Other countries that have been assessed as safe countries
 

Albania

The Republic of Albania is a constitutional democracy and, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the Albanian authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance.

Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional democratic state and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Human rights are generally respected by the Australian authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of the human rights organizations and have generally reacted to their views.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a constitutional democracy and is, among other things, a member state of the European Convention of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected in the country, people are not systematically persecuted and authorities can offer sufficient protection to their citizens. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has investigated Bosnia and Herzegovina's situation in relation to asylum seekers from the country and it is clear that all the prerequisites exist for defining Bosnia and Herzegovina as a safe state.

Canada

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Canada is furthermore a member state of the Organization of American States. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of human rights organizations and have reacted to their views.

Georgia

Georgia is a constitutional democracy and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected in Georgia and the Georgian constitution ensures the equality of citizens. Foreign human rights organizations have also worked in the country without any barriers. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has investigated Georgia's situation in relation to asylum seekers from the country and it is clear that all the prerequisites exist for defining Georgia as a safe state. 

Japan

Japan is a constitutional monarchy and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. The authorities, however, have been criticized to some extent for difficult circumstances of incarcerated persons and for bad conditions in Japanese prisons. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, however, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of human rights organizations and have reacted to their views.

Kosovo

Kosovo is a constitutional democracy where people are not systematically persecuted. Fundamental human rights are generally respected in the country, and both domestic and foreign human rights organizations have worked there without any barriers. Kosovo is not a party to the Geneva Convention or the European Convention on Human Rights, due to insufficient international solidarity regarding its status as an independent state, but not because of the problem of ensuring fundamental rights in the country. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has investigated Kosovo's situation in relation to asylum seekers from the country, and it is clear that all the prerequisites exist for the definition of Kosovo as a safe state.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a constitutional principality and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Liechtenstein is furthermore a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of human rights organizations and have generally reacted to their views.
  

Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a member state to all principal treaties on human rights, i.e. the Geneva Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights as well as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected in Moldova, people are not systematically persecuted and authorities can offer sufficient protection to their citizens.

Monaco

The principality of Monaco is a constitutional monarchy that is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Monaco is furthermore a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights. Local and foreign human rights organizations are permitted in Monaco, however, none are operating there.

Montenegro

Montenegro is a constitutional democracy and a member state to all principal treaties on human rights, i.e. the Geneva Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected in the country, people are not systematically persecuted and authorities can offer sufficient protection to their citizens. Montenegro has the status of an EU candidate country and negotiations are ongoing. The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has investigated the situation in Montenegro and it is clear that all the prerequisites exist for defining Montenegro as a safe state.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a republic and is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Official reports have mainly addressed certain discrimination and social problems encountered by minority groups in the country. Human rights, however, are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of human rights organizations and have generally reacted to their views.

North Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia is a constitutional democracy and, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the North Macedonian authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance.

Norway

The Norwegian kingdom is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Norway is furthermore a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of UN institutions and of other human rights organizations.
 

Serbia

The Republic of Serbia is a constitutional democracy and, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the Serbian authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance.
 

Switzerland

Switzerland is a federal republic with 26 cantons. Switzerland is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. Switzerland is furthermore a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of human rights organizations and have reacted to their views.

United States of America

The US is, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.  Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and, among other things, a member state of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the United Nations Refugee Convention. The UK is furthermore a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention of Human Rights. Human rights are generally honored by the authorities, and both local and foreign human rights organizations have operated there without hindrance. The authorities have collaborated with representatives of UN institutions and of other human rights organizations.