International protection (asylum) in Iceland
Official name: Alþjóðleg vernd (Foreign Nationals Act No. 80/2016)
People seeking international protection in Iceland must be physically in Iceland, at the border or inside the country, and apply in person; a verbal request is enough. Arrivals apply with the police at Keflavík Airport; people already in the country apply at the reception centre at Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavík or, outside the capital area, at the nearest police station. Applications sent from abroad are not processed. The Directorate of Immigration decides. Since 1 July 2026, amendments to the Foreign Nationals Act and Police Act apply EU Pact rules, including the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) replacing Dublin III. People fleeing Ukraine can get collective protection.
Life in Iceland
Finance
3
Currency
Icelandic Króna
ISK
Icelandic Króna
Cost of living
130
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
31.49–46.29%
Income tax (national)
VAT 24%
Withholding rates combine state and municipal tax: 31.49% up to ISK 498,122 a month, 37.99% to ISK 1,398,450, 46.29% above; personal tax credit ISK 72,492 a month.
Living
1
Happiness
#2 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in Iceland or at its border who need international protection, and people fleeing Ukraine (collective protection).
Eligibility
In Iceland and in person
- Applicants must be physically in Iceland (at the border or in the country) and apply in person.
- No specific format is needed; stating the request verbally is sufficient.
- Applications from people abroad are not processed.
Responsibility check (AMMR from 1 July 2026)
The AMMR now decides which state handles your claim; the state of first entry generally stays responsible, for longer than before.
From 1 July 2026- The AMMR has replaced the Dublin III Regulation.
- Screening, Eurodac and Crisis and Force Majeure Regulations have also entered into force.
Official wording
The AMMR has replaced the Dublin III Regulation. It still decides which state is responsible, and the state of first entry generally remains responsible; one state now stays responsible for longer. The Screening, Eurodac and Crisis and Force Majeure Regulations have also entered into force.
Collective protection for people from Ukraine
- The Minister of Justice extended collective protection for people fleeing Ukraine until 2 March 2027; permits already issued are extended for one year.
- It covers Ukrainian citizens who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, certain people with protection status in Ukraine on that date, and their family members.
- They receive a residence permit on humanitarian grounds for one year at a time, for up to five years.
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- 1 more requirement
- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
- Island.is - International protection, rights and application procedure
- Directorate of Immigration - New rules on the processing of applications for international protection enter into force (3 July 2026)
- Island.is - Provisional residence and work permit for applicants for international protection
- Island.is - Humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection
- Island.is - Information for Ukrainian citizens
