Spouses of Icelandic citizens and other EEA/EFTA citizens are allowed to work in Iceland while their application for a residence permit is being processed.

Given that the processing of applications for residence permits can take several months and that individuals do not receive an ID number until the residence permit is issued, these rights have not been as useful as they could be, as an ID number is necessary for an individual to establish a bank account for their salary and a prerequisite so the employer can pay withholding tax on wages.

To solve this problem, it has been decided that the spouses of Icelandic citizens and other EEA/EFTA citizens can obtain a system ID number issued while a residence permit application is being processed.

The conditions are that the person in question has:

1. submitted and paid for an application for a residence permit on the basis of marriage at the Directorate of Immigration and
2. has a paid job.

How do you apply for a system ID?

• Apply for a system ID to the Iceland Revenue and Customs by filling in the form Application for a system ID number (RSK 3.30)
• While the current form has not been updated, the applicant must tick the box "Employee - EEA / EFTA citizen" and write "SPOUSE" on the side, see below.

• The application must be signed by both the applicant and the employer.
• The applicant must bring the application together with a passport / travel document at the Iceland Revenue and Customs.

We hope that this new arrangement will be beneficial for spouses who are waiting for a residence permit to be processed but have the right to work here.

One of the basic requirements for a residence permit in Iceland and Icelandic citizenship is that the applicant can show that he/she has secure means of subsistence.

The subsistence level that the Directorate of Immigration uses as a reference is the financial support criteria of the City of Reykjavík.

As of September 1st 2020 the Directorate will apply the amount decided by the Department of Welfare in Reykjavik in January 2020.

The minimum subsistence amount for an individual, 18 years or older, will then be 207.709 ISK per month and 332.333 ISK for a couple per month. The amounts refer to pre-tax income.

Foreign nationals, who were legally staying in Iceland prior to 20 March and have been unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation, are currently allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 September 2020, see here.

Foreign nationals, who will not be able to leave Iceland before 10 September 2020, can stay here until 10 November 2020, without a residence permit or visa, upon being registered at the Directorate of Immigration.

Please note that this option is only for individuals who cannot leave Iceland due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation. Reasons such as no direct flights to your home country, high travel costs or other inconveniences of travelling are not grounds for being allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa.

This is how you register

1. A registration request shall be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please state your full name in “Subject”.
   
   
2. The following information/documents shall be included/attached:
   
   - Photocopy of your passport.
   - Photocopy of your visa (if applicable).
   - A proof of entry into Iceland prior to 20 March 2020. For instance, a photocopy of all Schengen Exit/Entry stamps found in your passport.
   - The reason why you are unable to travel back to your home country by 10 September.
   
   
3. Please send the registration request prior to 10 September 2020.
   
   

Last updated 4 September 2020.

Foreign nationals situated in Iceland, who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation, are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa until 10 September 2020, according to an announcement of the Ministry of Justice.

An earlier permission, added to the Regulation on foreigners with a temporary provision in the beginning of April, has thereby been extended.

To whom does the temporary provision apply?

The provision applies to foreigners who stayed in Iceland before the introduction of travel restrictions on 20 March 2020, on the basis of:

• a residence permit, which has now expired or expires before he/she can leave the country,
• a visa, which has now expired or expires before he/she can leave the country,
• being visa exempt, but will have stayed longer than 90 days in the Schengen Area before he/she can leave the country.

Please note that the provision only applies to those who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions, quarantine or isolation.

To whom does the temporary provision not apply?

The provision does not apply to foreigners who were in illegal stay before 20 March 2020 and does not prevent an expulsion on that or other basis in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act.

Please note that the fact that there are no direct flights to your home country, high travel costs or other inconveniences of travelling now are not grounds for being allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit or visa.