Everybody who lives in Iceland is entitled to social insurance.
Entitlement to allowances may also be based on work on the Icelandic labour market. Benefits vary according to whether it is residence or work that determines the benefit. Residence or work in Iceland does not however mean an automatic entitlement to social benefits. Other different conditions shall be complied with regarding entitlement to benefits.
Residence implies permanent residence according to the law on registration for census purposes. The National Register, Þjóðskrá deals with registration. The Social Insurance Administration, Tryggingastofnun ríkisins or another appropriate authority makes the final decision on whether a person is entitled to social benefits.
Moving to and from Iceland
Persons who move to and from Iceland need to report the move to the National Register.
The National Register’s census register is the Social Insurance Administration’s main register. The department also maintains a special register of individual persons’ insurance entitlements with basic information, entitlements based on international and bilateral agreements as well as confirmation or decisions on an individual person’s insurance entitlement. Persons who move to the country shall submit a notification form to the Social Insurance Administration and, where relevant, a certificate of insurance and insurance periods from a foreign department of social insurance. The form is available from the Administration or branches, or from the Social Insurance Administration’s website www.tr.is
Principal benefits based on residence
- Health care
- Pensions
- Invalidity pension
- Invalidity allowance
- Child pension
- Pregnancy benefit
- Child allowance
- Different types of social assistance and benefits
Principal benefits based on participation in labour market initiatives
Daily allowance by sickness and accident
- Parental benefit
- Benefit to parents with children with long-term illnesses or who are severely disabled.
- Unemployment benefit
- Pension from pension funds
Where to apply
The Icelandic Health Insurance, with regard to health insurance, sickness or accident benefit. The Social Insurance Administration, with regard to social insurance’s old age, invalidity and child pension, benefit to parents with children who have long-term illnesses or who are severely disabled, and assistance to single parents.
Unemployment insurance fund, Atvinnuleysistryggingasjóður, where unemployment benefit is concerned.
Parental Leave Fund, where a subsidy for a newly-born child is concerned.
The pension fund to which people who are active in the labour market pay contributions. This applies to old age pension, invalidity pension and survivor’s pension from the supplementary pension system. For general information see www.ll.is
Internal Revenue Directorate, Ríkisskattstjóri, where general child benefit is concerned.
Contact the respective authority for further information.
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