EEA countries
Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which in effect provides citizens from the European Union and EFTA countries the same rights and privileges as Icelandic citizens regarding working in Iceland. Citizens of EEA countries do not need a work permit in Iceland. However, if they intend to stay in Iceland for more than three months, they must have a residence permit.
Nordic countries
Citizens of the Nordic countries can move to Iceland without hindrance and do not need a work permit in order to work in the country. Those who intend to stay longer than six months must produce a Nordic change-of-residence certificate from the country they move from. This certificate must be submitted to Statistics Icelandwithin seven days of arrival in the country.
Other countries
Citizens from outside the EEA need to apply for a residence permit and a work permit before arriving to Iceland. The employer applies for the work permit upon recruitment before the employee arrives in the country.
Useful links
Residence permits and visa are issued at Icelandic Directorate of Immigration
Work permits are issued at Directorate of Labour
ID numbers are issued at Statistics Iceland
Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which in effect provides citizens from the European Union and EFTA countries the same rights and privileges as Icelandic citizens regarding working in Iceland. Citizens of EEA countries do not need a work permit in Iceland. However, if they intend to stay in Iceland for more than three months, they must have a residence permit.
Nordic countries
Citizens of the Nordic countries can move to Iceland without hindrance and do not need a work permit in order to work in the country. Those who intend to stay longer than six months must produce a Nordic change-of-residence certificate from the country they move from. This certificate must be submitted to Statistics Icelandwithin seven days of arrival in the country.
Other countries
Citizens from outside the EEA need to apply for a residence permit and a work permit before arriving to Iceland. The employer applies for the work permit upon recruitment before the employee arrives in the country.
Useful links
Residence permits and visa are issued at Icelandic Directorate of Immigration
Work permits are issued at Directorate of Labour
ID numbers are issued at Statistics Iceland
