Spouse an EU/EEA Citizen

Just like others moving from EU/EEA countries spouses who are EU/EEA citizens may reside and work in Iceland without a work permit.

Unfortunately we can not use the fast-track service for ID number application for EU/EEA spouses and family members, only employees. The spouses need to register through Registers Iceland to obtain ID number. The process can take few weeks.

Spouse a non-EU/EEA Citizen

Spouses who are non-EU/EEA citizen are eligible for a residence permit on grounds of family reunification.

There is no need to apply before arriving in Iceland. You will have to register at Register Iceland and submit the the form Family Reunion with a EU/EEA citizen. The same form needs to submitted to the Directorate of Immigration plus other required forms. The complete list of documents can be found on the DOI website.

For more information, see family reunification and more information about the individual requirements for different family members can be found in the links below:

Spouse a non-EU/EEA Citizen

Spouse who is a non-EU/EEA citizen will also need to apply for residence permit along with each family member you plan to bring to Iceland. You should apply for their residence permits at the same time as you apply for your own residence permit. 

Please note that your spouse will need to apply for a work permit along with their residence permit if he/she already has a job offer. There is no need to apply for a work permit simultaneously with the residence permit without a job offer. During the stay in Iceland the spouse is always required to apply for a work permit if a job is secured. The work permit that needs to be obtained is on the grounds of family ties and is dependent on the working spouse.

For more information, see family reunification and more information about the individual requirements for different family members can be found in the links below:

Spouse an EU/EEA Citizen

Spouse who is an EU/EEA citizen can arrive in Iceland without a residence permit. You, the non EU/EEA employee, can arrive with your spouse without going through the residence permit application process. 

On arrival you, the employee, need to register into Iceland with your spouse/family at Registers Iceland and submit the form Family Reunion with an EU/EEA Citizen. The spouse needs to provide a proof of financial means for three months for the couple. The minimum financial support for a couple pr month is approx. 280.000 ISK. You are not obliged to proof financial support for children.

After registering at Register Iceland the EU/EEA spouse needs to register the non-European spouse/family members into Iceland through Directorate of Immigration.

 The list of documents accompanying application for registration as immediate family member of EU/EEA citizen.

Children under the age of eighteen are covered by their parent‘s health insurance and do not need to pay appointment fees at local healthcare clinics.

Women who are covered by health insurance are entitled to free maternity care during pregnancy, childbirth and post-childbirth.

Parents are strongly advised by the Directorate of Health to vaccinate their children against common childhood diseases. Public health insurance covers the cost of all childhood vaccinations, from age three months to fourteen years.

Child benefits are paid for children up to the age of eighteen years. You dont need to apply for a child benefits the amount is dependent on the parents income, their marital status and the number of children they have.

More information on child benefits can be found on the Directorate of Internal Revenue website and on the Public Service page.

Leisure Activities Card offered by City of Reykjavik for all parents who have legal residency in Reykjavík. The card gives subsidy per child for childrens practice fees, aged six to eighteen years and is designed to encourage participation of children and youngsters in recreational activities regardless of socio- or economic background. Leisure Card in Reykjavik.

Other municipalities offer Leisure Activies Card, to subsidize sport and leisure for children.

Information on the importance of leisure activity for children.

Day Parents

Day parents provide care of children as young as six months old in private homes. Many parents choose this option for their children until they are old enough to attend preschool. Day parents are private operators who decide their own rates. Municipal authorities subsidise part of the cost if the day parent is licensed to operate by the authority. For more information, contact your local municipal office.

Further information and application form - Day Care Services in City of Reykjavik

Preschool

Children can attend preschool from eighteen months of age until they start primary school at age six. Municipalities subsidise part of the cost. Often there is a waiting list for a place at preschool; therefore parents are advised to apply as soon as possible. Applications can be submitted without the child's Icelandic ID number.

Further information and applications -  Preschools in City of Reykjavik 

University of Iceland staff have access to one of the three preschools designated for students only. Mánagarður preschool at Eggertsgata 34 welcomes applications from staff as well, for children age two to six years.

Preschools at the Univerity of Iceland 

Primary Schools

By law, all children living in Iceland must attend primary school from age six to sixteen, or from grades one through ten. Primary schools are free of charge. Children are enrolled in the school nearest to their permanent residence, but parents may choose to have their children attend another school.

Priamary Schools in City of Reykjavik

Secondary Schools

Everyone who has completed a primary school education or equivalent may attend upper secondary school, usually from age sixteen to nineteen. Attendance is not compulsory but students must pay a fee to attend, which can vary from school to school.

Those who wish to attend an university in Iceland must have an upper secondary school education or equivalent. 

Further information on secondary schools and higher education in Iceland.

International Department of Landakotsskóli

Landakotsskóli is located in Reykjavik, in a short distance from down town and the University of Iceland.

It is a Camebridge accreditated school for children from the age five to sixteen.

Further information on the school, staff, accreditation can be found on the Landaskotsskóli webpage.

International School of Iceland

The International School of Iceland is located in Garðabær, a municipality in the outskirt of Reykjavik. The school is a privately operated that offers an international educational program to children from age six to twelve years.

Further information on the school, staff, accreditation can be found on the school webpage.

International Baccalaureate Studies in Iceland

Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð (MH) is a secondary school and a member school of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and offers a comprehensive pre-university curriculum that is taught in English and recognized by universities worldwide.

More information on MH IB Program can be found on the schools site.

Iceland holds strong regulations on bringing pets to the country. All pets are obliged to be put in quaranty upon arrival in Iceland for the minimum of four weeks. 

 All imperative information on it can be found at Pet Travel and Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

Please notice, make an appointment in advance as the waiting list is long.