Iceland

ISL

Iceland is a high-income Nordic island nation, EFTA + EEA + Schengen member but not in the EU. English proficiency is among the world's highest, the public healthcare system is universal, and the country tops global rankings for safety and gender equality. Long-stay residency for non-EEA nationals is restrictive — primarily through skilled employment, family reunification, or remote-work permits (up to 6 months for high earners). Cost of living is among the highest in Europe.

Passport Rank

#13

Visa-Free

184

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Reykjavík
Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)
Languages: Icelandic
Population: 388,000
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Allowed
Naturalisation: 7 years
Schengen / EU: Schengen
Climate: Subarctic oceanic
English Proficiency Rank: #1

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

188

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 7 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Reykjavík	$1,750	$1,300	$480	$180	$90

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 7
Language Test: Yes (basic Icelandic)
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $200
Processing: ~18 months

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
International School of Iceland	Reykjavík	IB / British	$12,000–$18,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

230 Mbps median

99% fibre coverage

eSIM: Síminn, Vodafone Iceland, Nova

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Legal
Civil Partnerships: Recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: Yes
ILGA Rank: #13

Religious Life

Halal Food: Limited
Kosher Food: Limited
Prayer Facilities: Limited

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Hospitals

Landspítali — The National University Hospital of Iceland

Reykjavík, Iceland ISL

CardiologyOncologyTraumaObstetrics+1

3 languages