Iceland EU free movement

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may live and work in Iceland without a residence permit. Stays over 3 months are registered with Registers Iceland. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

What you must show

• Income of at least ISK 247,572 a month (≈ $2,030) · Normal minimum monthly subsistence for a single person registering on the basis of sufficient funds; couples normally 396,115 ISK (≈ $3,240) combined. Not required for employees or the self-employed. ⁴

Requirements

• Citizens of EEA and EFTA states, including Switzerland, may enter and stay in Iceland with a valid passport or ID card. ^{2 3}
• Stays of up to 3 months need no permit, provided the person is not an unreasonable burden on social assistance. ²
• Jobseekers may stay up to 6 months. ²
• After 3 months the person must be employed or self-employed, provide services, study, or have sufficient funds. ²
• Self-sufficient persons need funds for themselves and family and health insurance covering all risks. ^{2 4}
• Registers Iceland normally expects at least ISK 247,572 (≈ $2,030) monthly subsistence for a single self-sufficient person. ⁴
• Registration needs a valid passport or ID card plus proof of employment, self-employment, study, or funds and insurance. ^{2 4}
• Employees normally need a contract of at least 10 weeks or an employer confirmation. ⁵
• Register with Registers Iceland if staying longer than 3 months; registration is required for stays of 6 months or more. ^{1 4}
• Nordic citizens (DK, FI, NO, SE) use a separate registration page; the EEA/EFTA form is for the other EEA states and Switzerland. ¹
• Permanent residence can be granted after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. ^{2 4}

Stay

• No time limit; register with Registers Iceland if staying more than 3 months.
• First 3 months up to 3 months: Valid passport or ID card; no registration needed.
• After 3 months: Worker, self-employed, service provider, student, or sufficient funds with health insurance; registration with Registers Iceland.

Nationality

Citizens of the EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (EEA) and of Switzerland. Open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Work

EEA and EFTA citizens have the right to reside and work in Iceland; employees and the self-employed may register as such.

Family

Spouse or partner, children under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents may join; non-EEA family members apply for a residence card from the Directorate of Immigration (fee ISK 8,000 (≈ $66)).

Checked 2026-10-10

Official sources

1. Registration of EEA/EFTA citizens at Registers Iceland · Registers Iceland, Ísland.is · checked 2026-10-10
2. Foreign Nationals Act no. 80/2016 (English translation) · Government of Iceland · checked 2026-10-10
3. Residence right of family members of EEA/EFTA citizens · Directorate of Immigration, Ísland.is · checked 2026-10-10
4. Self-sufficient individuals (EEA/EFTA citizens staying more than 6 months) · Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) · checked 2026-10-10
5. Employee (EEA/EFTA citizens staying more than 6 months) · Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) · checked 2026-10-10
6. I am a student (EEA/EFTA citizens) · Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) · checked 2026-10-10