Iceland - Moving abroad
This section contains information on what effect transfer between EU countries can have on your social rights.
In what situation can I claim?
Social security provides benefits to those who live in Iceland and fulfil certain conditions. If you move from Iceland you are no longer covered by the social security legislation in Iceland. However, any pension entitlement that you may have earned will remain in effect.
If you are employed in another EEA country, the general rule applies that you will fall under the social security legislation of the country to which you move in accordance with the rules in effect in that country. You will have to fulfil the conditions set by that country to enjoy insurance benefits.
If you have lived, worked and/or paid a social insurance contributions in another EEA country, the periods of insurance in another country may have an effect on your rights in Iceland when you move to Iceland.
What conditions do I need to meet?
When you reside and work in a country, you earn rights in accordance with the rules in effect in that country. In some cases, the earned rights in one country can have an effect on rights in another country.
Legislation and regulations in the countries who are members of the EEA/EFTA Agreement are not harmonised. Thus, the social security systems of the countries can differ, as can the conditions set to earn rights in each country. The amounts and assistance available also varies between countries.
The EEA/EFTA countries have agreed on rules on the following issues in order to facilitate workers' freedom of movement between the countries:
- Sickness benefits
- Maternity and paternity benefit payments
- Invalitity benefits
- Old-age benefits
- Survivors' benefits
- Benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases
- Death grants
- Benefits granted before reaching retirement age
- Unemployment benefits
- Family benefits (child benefits).
The rules do not apply to social assistance.
What am I entitled to and how can I claim?
When moving to Iceland, you must notify the Registers Iceland https://www.skra.is/english/and register a new domicile. See section on permanent residence.
Once you have registered your domicile, you should apply for registration in the Insurance Registry of Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands). See application for registration in the insurance register.
- If you are moving from an EEA/EFTA country and have been insured in the social security system in that country, you are entitled to be health insured in Iceland from the date that you register your domicile in Iceland;
- If you were not insured by the social security system in the country where you resided earlier, you will have to wait for 6 months to be health insured in Iceland and must purchase private health insurance in the interval;
- Those who move between countries are wholly responsible for ensuring that their registration in the new country is correct.
Jargon busters
- EEA countries -The countries of the European Union (EU) and EFTA (Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein) form the European Economic Area. See list of the countries;
- The EEA Agreement on the European Economic Area is an agreement between the EFTA countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein and the European Union (EU);
- Domicile (permanent residence) as defined by Icelandic laws. Where you maintain your home;
- Domicile (permanent residence) as defined according to EU rules. Where you maintain your home;
- A social insurance contribution is a special contribution that employers must pay on employees' wages;
- An identity number (ID No.) is a ten-digit number that distinguishes you from other persons and makes it possible for you to seek your rights.
Forms you may need to fill in
Transfer from an EEA/EFTA country to Iceland
If you become unemployed after moving from an EEA/EFTA country to Iceland and working in Iceland, it is possible to take account of employment periods in another country within the EEA in the calculation of unemployment benefits in Iceland if certain conditions are met.
To get confirmation of an insurance and employment period in another country within the EEA/EFTA, you will need a filled-in U1 certificate, which you can obtain from the Directorate of Labour responsible for paying unemployment benefits in that country.
Searching for work in Iceland
If you have been unemployed and have received unemployment benefits in a country within the EEA and you want to come to Iceland to find work, you will have to contact the Directorate of Labour paying you the unemployment benefits and obtain information on what you need to do to continue receiving unemployment benefits while you are searching for work in Iceland.
Know your rights
The following websites provide information on your rights. They are not, however, operated by the EU Commission and do not reflect the Commission's views:
- EURES checklist when moving to the Nordic countries or the European Union countries
- List of EEA countries (European Union countries and EFTA)
- First steps in Iceland in several languages (pamphlet)
- Forms from the Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun)
- Forms or certificates from Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingum Íslands)
- Information on the European health insurance card
- Information on transfer between countries from the Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun)
- Information on transfer to Iceland from Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands).
Publications and websites operated by the EU Commission:
Who do you need to contact?
Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands)
Vínlandsleið 16 (see map)
113 Reykjavik
Tel: 515 0000
E-mail: international@sjukra.is
www.sjukra.is
Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun)
Hlíðasmári 11
201 Kópavogur Iceland
Tel: + 354 560 4400
E-mail: tr@tr.is
https://www.tr.is/
Directorate of Labour
Grensásvegur 9 (see map)
108 Reykjavík
Tel: 515 4800
E-mail: postur@vmst.is
www.vinnumalastofnun.is
Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands)
Borgartún 21 (see on map)
105 Reykjavík
Tel: 515 5300
E-mail: skra@skra.is
https://www.skra.is/