If you plan to drive, see our guide to converting your driving licence. Holders of an EEA, UK, or Japanese licence can exchange it for an Icelandic licence without retesting, once they have been a permanent resident for at least six months. Non-EEA licence holders can drive on their home licence for up to six months after establishing residence, after which they must apply for an Icelandic licence. That process requires both a written and practical driving test.but the process requires both a written and practical driving test.
Many residents find that a car is practical, especially outside central Reykjavík or if you have children. Our guide to buying a car in Iceland covers the process and costs.
Learn the different grocery stores
The main supermarket chains are Bónus, Krónan and Prís (budget options), Nettó (mid-range), and Hagkaup (full-range).
Alcohol is not sold in regular supermarkets. It is only available at Vínbúðin, the state-run liquor stores, which have limited hours and are closed on Sundays. The legal drinking age is 20. Since 2022, Icelandic breweries can sell directly to consumers, and a number of private online alcohol retailers have emerged, though the state monopoly remains the primary retail channel. Many locals stock up at the duty-free store at Keflavík Airport on arrival, where prices are significantly lower.
Grocery costs in Iceland run 30–50% higher than in Western Europe or North America. Cooking at home makes a significant difference to your monthly budget. See our grocery costs guide and our cost of living breakdown for current prices.
Confirm your mail setup
Government agencies and banks will send you physical letters during your first weeks. Make sure your mailbox is labelled with your name. If your temporary accommodation does not have a reliable mailbox, ask your landlord or host about the best way to receive post.
Your digital mailbox on island.is will handle most government correspondence going forward, but some documents still arrive by physical mail during your first weeks.
Week 3: Building your life
The urgent admin is behind you. Week 3 is about integration and longer-term setup.
Start learning Icelandic
You do not need fluent Icelandic to get by in Iceland, but even basic phrases make a real difference in daily interactions and job prospects.
Several options are available. Icelandic Online is a free self-study course run by the University of Iceland, and a good place to start immediately. Mímir offers in-person evening courses at multiple levels in Reykjavík. The Multicultural and Information Centre (Fjölmenningarsetur) also offers free courses for immigrants, and the Directorate of Labour funds free courses for people receiving unemployment or social benefits.
Check with your labour union. Many unions reimburse the cost of Icelandic language courses as part of their education benefits.
For the full picture on courses and resources, see our guide to learning Icelandic.
Find permanent housing (if still in temporary accommodation)
If you arrived without a long-term lease, Week 3 is when your apartment search should be in full swing. Most rental listings appear on Facebook groups (search for "Leiga" or "Rental Iceland"), Leiga.is, Myigloo.is and property listing sites like mbl.is/fasteignir.
Expect to pay 250,000–350,000 ISK per month for a one or two bedroom apartment in Reykjavík (as of 2025). Deposits are typically one to three months' rent upfront.
Read our rental guide before signing anything. Tenant rights in Iceland are governed by the Rent Act (húsaleigulög) and are relatively strong, but scams do exist. Never transfer money without seeing the apartment and meeting the landlord.
Register your address if you move
If you move from temporary to permanent accommodation, update your legal domicile at skra.is within seven days. This is a legal requirement. Your registered address determines your municipal tax allocation, voting rights, and which services you are assigned to.
Activate your island.is digital mailbox
If you have not already, make sure your digital mailbox on island.is is active. As of 2025, all Icelandic public institutions send official correspondence through this digital mailbox. You will need your electronic ID to access it.
Week 4: Settling in
By now the administrative scaffolding is in place. The final stretch of your first 30 days in Iceland is about the things that make it feel less like a destination and more like home.
Explore your neighbourhood
Walk or bus around your area. Find the nearest swimming pool (sundlaug). Geothermal pools are central to Icelandic social life, and most neighbourhoods have one. A swim card at your local pool is one of the cheapest forms of recreation in Iceland. The hot tubs are where neighbours actually talk to each other.
Find your closest Bónus, Krónan or Prís, your nearest pharmacy (apótek), and the Strætó stop you will use most often. Small familiarity compounds quickly.
Iceland's immigrant community is active and welcoming. Search Facebook for expat groups based on your nationality or language. Most nationalities have at least one dedicated group, and there are several general English-language groups for foreigners in Iceland.
Fjölmenningarsetur (the Multicultural and Information Centre) runs events, workshops, and support services for immigrants. They can help with everything from language courses to legal questions.
If you are looking for structured social connections, sports clubs, hobby groups, and volunteer organisations are the fastest way in. Icelanders are friendly but can be slow to form new friendships. Shared activities break the ice faster than small talk.
Take a look at our events section to see a list of upcoming events in Iceland.
Review your finances
After a few weeks of living expenses, compare your actual spending to the estimates in our cost of living budget calculator. Adjust your budget if needed.
Confirm that your salary, tax withholding, and pension contributions are appearing correctly on your pay slip. Every Icelandic worker receives a personal tax credit of 72,492 ISK per month (as of 2026) that reduces your effective tax rate. If this is not reflected, raise it with your employer.
If you are sending money internationally, compare your bank's exchange rates with services like Wise. Icelandic banks charge significant fees on international transfers.
Understand the Strætó bus system
If you ride Strætó buses regularly, be aware of the Kapp fare capping: you never pay for more than three rides per day or nine per week on an adult ticket. This applies whether you pay by contactless bank card, the Klappið app, or a Klapp card. The only rule is to use the same payment method every time. If you commute daily, a monthly or annual period pass (available through the app or a Klapp card) may work out cheaper still. Cash is no longer accepted on city buses.
Your first 30 days in Iceland: the quick-reference checklist
Before arrival: submit A-271 (EEA) or confirm residence permit (non-EEA), book temporary housing, download Klappið, Veður, Parka, and Barhopp apps.
Week 1: register domicile and get kennitala, open bank account, get Icelandic phone number, register at health clinic, provide employer with kennitala and bank details.
Week 2: set up electronic ID, sort transport (bus pass or car), learn grocery stores, confirm mail delivery.
Week 3: start Icelandic lessons, search for permanent housing, update address if you move, activate island.is digital mailbox.
Week 4: explore neighbourhood and local pool, connect with expat community, review budget against actual costs, optimise bus fare capping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a kennitala after arriving in Iceland?
For EEA/EFTA citizens, the kennitala is usually issued within a few days of registering in person at Registers Iceland. For non-EEA citizens, it is issued alongside the residence permit, which can take up to 10 days after registering at the Directorate of Immigration.
Can I open a bank account without a kennitala?
Not a standard account. All three major banks require a kennitala. In some cases, non-EEA residents can request a system ID number (utangarðskennitala) to open a basic account, but this is not standard and does not give access to full banking services.
What is the first thing I should do after landing in Iceland?
Get to your temporary accommodation and, the next business day, visit Registers Iceland (if EEA/EFTA) or the Directorate of Immigration (if non-EEA) to start your kennitala registration. Everything else in your first 30 days in Iceland depends on this step.
Do I need a car in Reykjavík?
Not necessarily. The Strætó bus system covers the greater Reykjavík area and is affordable, with a 30-day pass costing 11,600 ISK (as of January 2026). A car becomes more practical if you live outside central Reykjavík, have children, or want to explore the countryside regularly.
Are Icelandic language courses free?
Some are. The Directorate of Labour funds free courses for people receiving unemployment or social benefits. Many labour unions reimburse course fees for their members. The University of Iceland's Icelandic Online is free for everyone. Private language schools like Mímir and MúltíKúltí charge fees, typically 50,000–60,000 ISK per course level (as of 2025).
How much money should I have saved before moving to Iceland?
A reasonable starting budget for a single person is 1,500,000–2,500,000 ISK (roughly $10,000–$18,000 USD). This covers a rental deposit (one to three months' rent), first month's rent, and living expenses while you get settled. Having your first salary arrive before your savings run out makes the transition much smoother.
Last updated: March 2026
This is the most admin-heavy week. Nearly every step that follows depends on getting your kennitala.
If you are living in the greater Reykjavík area, the Strætó bus system covers most of the capital region. A single fare is 690 ISK and a 30-day pass costs 11,600 ISK (as of January 2026). Download the