Icelandic citizenship by application
Applicants can generally apply after seven years of legal domicile and continuous residence in Iceland. They need a permanent residence permit or an exemption (Nordic and EEA/EFTA citizens are exempt), must pass an Icelandic language test, show self-support for the past three years, and meet criminal record rules. Shorter periods apply to spouses of Icelandic citizens, Nordic citizens and refugees.
Life in Iceland
Money
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
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term residents of Iceland.
Eligibility
Residence
You need seven years of legal domicile and continuous residence in Iceland.
Seven years
Residence needed
- Shorter for spouses of citizens
- Shorter for Nordic citizens and refugees
- Shorter for children of citizens
Official wording
Seven years of legal domicile and continuous residence (shorter for spouses of citizens, Nordic citizens, refugees, children of citizens).
Continuous residence
Spend no more than 90 days abroad in total in each 12 months.
90 days
Time abroad limit
- Limited exemptions apply
Official wording
No more than 90 days abroad in total in each 12 months, with limited exemptions.
Permit
You need a permanent residence permit, unless you are exempt.
- Nordic citizens are exempt
- EEA/EFTA citizens are exempt
Official wording
Permanent residence permit or exemption (Nordic and EEA/EFTA citizens are exempt).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLanguage
- Document checklistOnline application
- FeesAdult application
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 3 fees
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Iceland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Iceland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for students
- Work permitsResidence permit based on work
- Permanent residencePermanent residence permit
- FamilyResidence permit for spouse or cohabiting partner
- Status in-countryRight of residence for EEA/EFTA citizens
Citizenship in other countries
- ItalyConcessione della cittadinanza italiana per residenza
- JamaicaJamaican citizenship by naturalisation
- CambodiaKhmer Nationality by Marriage or Naturalisation
- St. Kitts & NevisSt Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme
- St. LuciaSaint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme
- LiechtensteinLiechtenstein citizenship
