How to Get Icelandic Citizenship
A complete guide to becoming an Icelandic citizen, covering the seven-year residence requirement, language test, financial requirements, application process, and dual citizenship rules.
Who can become an Icelandic citizen
Icelandic citizenship is available to foreign nationals who have lived legally in Iceland for a set number of years and meet a defined list of requirements. The process is called naturalisation, and it is governed by the Icelandic Nationality Act (No. 100/1952).
There is no investment route, no fast-track purchase option, and no lottery. Citizenship is earned through years of residence, language learning, financial independence, and clean conduct. The standard path takes seven years.
Iceland also grants citizenship by descent (through an Icelandic parent), by adoption, and in rare cases by a direct act of Parliament. This article covers all of them, with a focus on the naturalisation path most relevant to people planning a move to Iceland.
Table of contents
Residence requirements for Icelandic citizenship
The general rule is straightforward. Seven years of continuous legal domicile in Iceland. Your legal address must be registered with Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) throughout that period.
"Continuous" means you cannot have spent more than 90 days outside Iceland in any 12-month period. Time spent abroad beyond that threshold does not count toward the qualifying period, even if your domicile remained registered in Iceland.
Shorter residence for certain applicants
Several categories qualify for a reduced residence requirement:
Married to an Icelandic citizen: 4 years of domicile in Iceland since the marriage. The Icelandic spouse must have held citizenship for at least 5 years before the application.
Cohabiting with an Icelandic citizen: 5 years of domicile since the registration of the sambúð (cohabitation). The Icelandic partner must have been a citizen for at least 5 years.
Child of an Icelandic citizen: 2 years of domicile. The parent must have been an Icelandic citizen for at least 5 years.
Nordic citizen (Denmark, Finland, Norway, or Sweden): 4 years of domicile via the general application. However, Nordic citizens who have held their citizenship since birth can use a simpler notification process after just 3 years, with no language test required. See the Directorate of Immigration's Nordic citizen page for details.
Refugee or holder of a humanitarian residence permit: 5 years of domicile after being granted protection.
Stateless person: 5 years of domicile.
Former Icelandic citizen (who lost citizenship by acquiring a foreign nationality): 1 year of domicile.
All of these timelines come from the Directorate of Immigration's official guidance on island.is.
Exemptions from continuous residence
The Directorate of Immigration can grant limited exemptions for time spent abroad during the qualifying period. These include up to one year total away for general reasons, up to two years for temporary employment or illness, up to three years for study abroad, and unlimited time if your absence is due to the employment of a spouse or custodian parent who is an Icelandic citizen working abroad to represent Iceland or as an employee of an international organisation. You must provide supporting documentation (employment contracts, medical records, school admission letters) to qualify.
One important detail: even with an exemption, the total qualifying period must still be met. If you need seven years, you need seven years of actual residence in Iceland, not seven years since you first registered.
Requirements beyond residence
Meeting the residence threshold is only the first step. The Directorate of Immigration evaluates several additional conditions before granting citizenship.
Permanent residence permit
You must hold a permanent residence permit at the time of application. Nordic citizens and EEA/EFTA nationals are exempt from this requirement, since they are not obliged to hold a residence permit under Icelandic law. For most non-EEA applicants, this means applying for permanent residency (typically after four years of legal residence) before you can apply for citizenship. Our work permit guide covers the initial permit that starts that clock.
Icelandic language test
Every adult applicant must pass the official Icelandic language test for citizenship applicants. The test covers speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the A1–A2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In practical terms, this means being able to handle everyday conversations, follow simple news coverage, and write short texts.
The test is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. Reykjavik and Akureyri offer tests in both sessions. Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður offer tests in spring only. Mímir (a continuing education centre) handles registration and administration. Registration opens several weeks before each testing window and closes before the exam dates.
The test fee is 40,000 ISK (as of 2025). Results are sent electronically to the email address provided during registration.
The pass rate is high. In recent testing rounds, 84–90% of test-takers met the minimum requirements, according to the Directorate of Education and School Services. If you have been living in Iceland for seven years and using Icelandic at work and in daily life, the test is achievable. That said, starting Icelandic language courses well before your application window is strongly recommended.
Exemptions from the language test may be granted if the requirement is considered unreasonable. This can apply to applicants aged 65 or older who have been domiciled in Iceland for the preceding seven years, children attending or younger than primary school in Iceland, and individuals who cannot take the test for serious physical or mental health reasons (supported by a medical certificate). Having an Icelandic school diploma or equivalent certificate from an Icelandic educational institution also qualifies as an exemption.
Financial self-sufficiency
Applicants must prove they can support themselves without relying on public assistance. The income thresholds are based on the City of Reykjavik's basic financial assistance amount and are updated periodically.
As of February 1, 2025, the monthly pre-tax income requirements are:
Single applicant (18+): 247,572 ISK per month
Married couple: 396,115 ISK per month (total for both)
Student aged 18–20 living with a parent: 123,786 ISK per month (50% of the individual amount)
Acceptable proof includes payslips, employment contracts, bank statements (confirmed by the bank, not online printouts), or documentation of regular income such as rental income, grants, or pension payments.
You must also demonstrate that you have not received municipal financial assistance in the past three years. The Directorate checks tax records and credit information to confirm this.
No tax arrears or insolvency
Your application will be denied if any of the following apply: you have outstanding tax debts, your property has been subject to enforcement action in the past three years, or your estate has been accepted for liquidation. The Directorate is authorised to verify this through CreditInfo Iceland.
Good conduct
Applicants must have a clean criminal record. You will need to provide a foreign criminal record certificate covering every country where you have resided since age 15. The certificate must be an original, legally authenticated document. If it is not in Icelandic, English, or a Nordic language, a certified translation is required.
Certain fines or prison sentences trigger a mandatory waiting period before citizenship can be granted.
How to apply for Icelandic citizenship
The application is submitted digitally through island.is. You need an Icelandic electronic certificate (rafræn skilríki) to access the system. The application can be saved and resumed within 60 days.
Application fee
The fee for an Icelandic citizenship application is 60,000 ISK (as of January 1, 2026). If you include minor children in the same application, no additional fee is charged. A separate application for a child alone costs 30,000 ISK. Nordic citizens applying through the notification process pay 30,000 ISK (15,000 ISK for a child).
The fee is non-refundable after submission.
Required documents
The standard application requires:
A completed digital application form
A colour copy of your valid passport
An Icelandic language test certificate (or documentation supporting an exemption)
A certificate of legal registration history in Iceland
Foreign criminal record certificates from all countries of residence since age 15, legally authenticated (apostille or chain authentication) and translated if necessary
Proof of financial self-sufficiency (payslips, bank statements, or equivalent)
Some documents must also be submitted in paper format to the Directorate of Immigration at Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur (by mail or drop box).
If you are including minor children, you will also need their passports, birth certificates, and custody documentation.
Processing time
Processing has historically taken six to twelve months. In practice, a significant backlog at the Directorate of Immigration has pushed wait times closer to 18 months to two years as of late 2025. The application fee was doubled to 60,000 ISK in January 2026 partly to reduce the volume of premature applications. Parliament is considering reforms to streamline the process.
If approved, you receive a vottorð um ríkisborgararétt (citizenship certificate) by mail. You can then apply for an Icelandic passport at the offices of the relevant district commissioner (sýslumaður).
If your application is rejected, the decision is sent by registered mail with an explanation. You can appeal to the Ministry of Justice.
Dual citizenship
Iceland has allowed dual citizenship since July 1, 2003. If you become an Icelandic citizen, you are not required to renounce your current nationality. Iceland will not ask you to give up your existing passport.
That said, your home country's laws may be different. Some countries require their citizens to renounce citizenship if they acquire a new one. Check your own country's rules before applying.
Icelandic citizens who acquire foreign citizenship also retain their Icelandic nationality, as long as the other country allows dual citizenship.
Citizenship by descent
Since July 1, 2018, a child born to at least one Icelandic parent automatically acquires Icelandic citizenship at birth, regardless of where the child is born, regardless of the parents' marital status, and regardless of whether the Icelandic parent is the mother or father. This is the current rule, and it applies equally in all cases.
For children born before July 1, 2018, different rules applied depending on the parents' marital status, which parent was Icelandic, and whether the birth took place in Iceland or abroad. The applicable law is the one in force at the time of the child's birth. The Directorate of Immigration's page on children of Icelandic citizens explains the historical distinctions in detail.
Children born to Icelandic citizens abroad should be registered with Registers Iceland. If a child's parents are both Icelandic citizens, the registration can be done directly. If an unmarried Icelandic father had a child abroad with a foreign citizen before July 1, 2018, the application goes through the Directorate of Immigration instead.
One important rule: Icelandic citizens born abroad who have never lived in Iceland may lose their citizenship at age 22. To prevent this, an application to retain citizenship must be filed with the Directorate of Immigration before turning 22. Residence in another Nordic country for at least seven years is considered equivalent to residence in Iceland for this purpose.
Other paths to Icelandic citizenship
Adoption
Foreign children under 12 who are adopted by Icelandic citizens automatically acquire citizenship upon adoption.
Young persons with long-term residence
Foreign nationals aged 18 to 20 who have lived continuously in Iceland since the age of 13 can acquire Icelandic citizenship by notification to the Directorate of Immigration. This is a simplified process that does not require the standard naturalisation application. The fee is 13,500 ISK (as of 2026).
Parliamentary grant
In exceptional cases, Alþingi (the Icelandic Parliament) can grant citizenship directly by law. This is rare and typically reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Iceland. The standard naturalisation requirements do not apply in these cases.
Restoration of citizenship
Former Icelandic citizens who lost their nationality by acquiring foreign citizenship before dual citizenship was permitted (pre-2003) can apply for restoration of citizenship after one year of domicile in Iceland. Former citizens who naturalised in another Nordic country and re-establish domicile in Iceland can reclaim citizenship through a formal notification.
What Icelandic citizenship gives you
Becoming an Icelandic citizen unlocks several rights that permanent residents do not have:
Full voting rights. Citizens can vote in national elections and referendums, and run for Parliament. (Foreign residents can vote in municipal elections after three years of domicile, but only citizens can vote in parliamentary and presidential elections.)
Passport. The Icelandic passport ranks among the world's strongest travel documents, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 countries according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index. That includes the entire Schengen Area, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Unrestricted residence. Citizens cannot be deported and have an unconditional right to live in Iceland. Permanent residents, while secure, hold their status conditionally.
EU/EEA free movement. As a citizen of an EEA member state, you gain the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland without a visa or work permit.
Access to certain public-sector positions that require citizenship, including roles in law enforcement, the judiciary, and diplomatic service.
Timeline: from arrival to citizenship
For a non-EEA citizen arriving in Iceland on a work permit, a realistic timeline looks like this:
Year 0: Arrive in Iceland, register your domicile, get your kennitala (Icelandic national ID number), and begin the first 30 days checklist.
Years 1-3: Work, pay taxes, build your life. Start Icelandic language courses. Begin building the residence history that counts toward both permanent residency and citizenship.
Year 4: Apply for a permanent residence permit (requires passing the Icelandic language test for permanent residency, demonstrating financial self-sufficiency, and having a clean record).
Years 5-6: Continue building residence time toward the seven-year citizenship threshold. Take the citizenship language test when registration opens.
Year 7: Apply for Icelandic citizenship.
Year 8–9: Receive your citizenship certificate (current backlogs mean processing may take up to two years) and apply for your Icelandic passport.
The timeline is shorter for those married to or cohabiting with an Icelandic citizen, and for Nordic citizens. But in all cases, the process requires consistent presence, language effort, and financial stability throughout.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get Icelandic citizenship?
The standard requirement is seven years of continuous legal residence. Processing has historically taken six to twelve months, but current backlogs at the Directorate of Immigration have pushed wait times to 18 months or longer. Realistically, expect eight to nine years from arrival to passport. Spouses of Icelandic citizens can apply after four years, cohabiting partners after five, and Nordic citizens after three or four years depending on the pathway.
How much does the Icelandic citizenship application cost?
The application fee is 60,000 ISK (as of January 2026). If you include minor children in the same application, the total remains 60,000 ISK. The language test costs an additional 40,000 ISK. Factor in costs for document authentication, translation, and foreign criminal record certificates as well.
Do I need to speak Icelandic to become a citizen?
Yes. You must pass the official Icelandic language test, which assesses skills at the A1–A2 level (CEFR). The test covers speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Exemptions exist for applicants aged 65 or older (with seven years of domicile), those with documented medical conditions, and children attending or younger than primary school.
Can I hold dual citizenship in Iceland?
Yes. Iceland has permitted dual citizenship since 2003. You do not need to give up your current nationality to become Icelandic. However, your home country may have different rules, so check before applying.
Can I apply for Icelandic citizenship if I am married to an Icelandic citizen?
Yes, with a reduced residence requirement of four years (instead of seven). Your spouse must have been an Icelandic citizen for at least five years before your application. Marriage to an Icelandic citizen does not automatically grant you citizenship.
What happens if my citizenship application is rejected?
You receive a written rejection by registered mail with the reasons. Common reasons include insufficient residence time, outstanding tax debts, or failure to meet financial self-sufficiency requirements. You can appeal the decision to the Ministry of Justice.
Last updated: March 2026
