Icelandic
Language
Icelandic Sign Language is also recognised
Country guide · Iceland
Living and working in Iceland
A guide for international candidates
Unless you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you'll usually need a residence permit based on work. The main route for skilled people is the permit for work requiring expert knowledge. The employer applies, and pay must meet Icelandic collective agreements; there's no fixed salary floor. The application fee is ISK 80,000.
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Icelandic króna
Currency
ISK, kr
Reykjavík
Capital
GMT all year
Time zone
UTC+0, no summer time
112
Emergency number
For police, ambulance, fire and rescue
Type C and Type F
Plug
230 V
Last checked 12 October 2026. Estimates are labelled.
Where the jobs are
All regions lets you pick a place and see rent, jobs and the sectors in this guide. Choose a sector to see that industry in every place.
Cyan is the region you picked. Navy is everywhere else.
Region
Capital Region
ISK 3,915 per m² a month (Reykjavík (capital region proxy)); about ISK 234,900 for 60 m² (estimate)
Estimate
- Rent
- ISK 234,900
- Vs regions in this guide
- +34%
- People in work
- 141k
- Strongest sector
- Tech
Sector strength vs average for Iceland
- Tech1.30×
- Healthcare1.07×
- Engineeringn/a
- Finance1.25×
- Hospitalityn/a
Job links open all Iceland roles for now. Rent compared with the other regions in this guide.
View the map as a table
| Region | Population | People in work | Sectors above average (LQ 1.05 or more) | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Region | 251,912 | 140,564 | Tech 1.30, Finance 1.25, Healthcare 1.07 | ISK 3,915 per m² a month (Reykjavík (capital region proxy)); about ISK 234,900 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| Southern Peninsula | 29,644 | 16,338 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 3,186 per m² a month (municipalities near the capital region); about ISK 191,160 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| West | 17,997 | 9,778 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 3,186 per m² a month (municipalities near the capital region); about ISK 191,160 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| Westfjords | 7,341 | 4,234 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 2,290 per m² a month (other rural municipalities); about ISK 137,400 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| Northwest | 7,353 | 4,161 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 2,290 per m² a month (other rural municipalities); about ISK 137,400 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| Northeast | 32,296 | 18,009 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 3,115 per m² a month (Akureyri); about ISK 186,900 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| East | 11,211 | 6,538 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 2,290 per m² a month (other rural municipalities); about ISK 137,400 for 60 m² (estimate) |
| South | 36,570 | 20,211 | Hospitality 1.19, Engineering and manufacturing 1.15 (estimate) | ISK 3,186 per m² a month (municipalities near the capital region); about ISK 191,160 for 60 m² (estimate) |
Cities
Pay, rent and the share of pay that rent takes. Estimates stay labelled.
Estimate
Reykjavík
- Rent
- ISK 308,700
- Pay
- ISK 564,703
- Rent share
- 41%
Estimate
Kópavogur
- Rent
- ISK 216,600
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share
- 26%
Estimate
Akureyri
- Rent
- ISK 220,000
- Pay
- Not listed
- Rent share
- 30%
Tools
Step 1 of 2
Visa route finder
A route to read about, not a decision on your application. Figures are the ones in this guide.
Rent and pay
The pay and rent figures already in this guide. This is not a tax calculation.
Rent a month in Reykjavík
ISK 308,700
- Pay
- ISK 564,703
- Rent share of pay
- 41%
Take-home pay
Skatturinn publishes the 2026 withholding bands and the monthly personal tax credit. Take-home also depends on pension contributions.
See the 2026 withholding ratesVisa routes to read about
These describe the route. They do not say whether you qualify.
- Source
Work requiring expert knowledge
The employer applies to the Directorate of Immigration; the job must need expertise (university-level education or recognised industrial, artistic or technical training) and the employer must show it could not fill it in Iceland, the EEA, EFTA or the Faroe Islands. Generally granted for 1 year, up to 4 years at a time
- Source
Labour shortage
For jobs the Directorate of Labour lists as in temporary shortage
- Source
Rule changes from 8 July 2026
Amendments passed on 18 June 2026; graduates can now stay up to 18 months (was 3 years) to look for work
Salary floor
No fixed amount: pay must meet Icelandic collective agreements, confirmed by the relevant trade union
Little-known facts
Daily life
- Good to knowGeothermal pools as the social hub, everyone on first names, long light summers and dark winters, and weather that changes by the hour.
- HealthcareHealth insurance through Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands) usually starts after 6 months of legal residence, so private cover is needed at first.
- Good to knowCall 1700 for advice, 112 in an emergency.
Family, school and pets
- FamilyFamilies can usually join through family reunification (ISK 110,000 fee).
- SchoolPreschool fees are set by each municipality.
- SchoolSchool is free and compulsory from age 6 to 16.
From job offer to settled in
1
Collect your residence card from the Directorate of Immigration (Dalvegur 18, Kópavogur)
2
Get a kennitala
Via Registers Iceland
Source3
Bank account and electronic ID
4
Check your personal tax credit
With your employer (Skatturinn)
5
Find housing
Rents are registered with HMS. Compare with HMS's rent figures before signing
Questions
Does Iceland have a minimum salary for work permits?
No fixed amount. Pay must meet Icelandic collective agreements, and the relevant union confirms the terms.
Who applies for the permit?
The employer applies to the Directorate of Immigration, and the Directorate of Labour reviews the work permit part.
How much does it cost?
ISK 80,000 for a first residence permit based on work, from 1 January 2026.
Can experience stand in for a degree?
For the expert knowledge permit, at least 7 years of relevant experience can generally stand in for a university degree (work.iceland.is).
When does health insurance start?
Usually after 6 months of legal residence, so plan private cover for the start.
Does every employer on Global Sponsor Hub sponsor visas?
No. Each listing shows the support the employer or agency has stated, such as visa sponsorship or relocation support. Confirm it with the employer before you apply.
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