Schools in Iceland
An overview of how schools in Iceland work at every level, from preschool through university, with practical guidance on enrollment, Icelandic language support, and international school options.
How the school system works
Schools in Iceland are publicly funded at every level, and education is free from age 6 through university. The system has four stages: preschool, compulsory school, upper secondary school, and university.
For families moving to Iceland, the structure is straightforward once you know how it works. Children are assigned to their local school by municipality, instruction is in Icelandic, and foreign children receive language support from day one. The practical questions (enrollment, language transition, international school options) are what trip people up.
Contents
Preschool (leikskóli)
Leikskóli (preschool) is the first level of the Icelandic school system. It covers children from roughly age 1 or 2 up to age 6, when compulsory school begins. Preschool is not mandatory, but over 95% of Icelandic children between ages 2 and 3 are offered a preschool place, according to Eurydice.
Preschools are run by municipalities and heavily subsidized. Parents typically pay 30,000–50,000 ISK per month (as of 2025), depending on the municipality and household income. The municipality covers at least 75% of operating costs.
The main challenge for families moving to Iceland is the waitlist. In Reykjavík and the surrounding capital area, demand for preschool spots exceeds supply.
Many Icelandic parents register their children at birth. If you are moving with a toddler, apply for a spot as soon as you have a kennitala (national ID number) and registered address.
The typical age for receiving a spot varies by municipality, ranging from 18 months to two and a half years. Some municipalities contract private preschools to supplement capacity.
For a detailed municipality-by-municipality breakdown of fees, waitlists, and how to apply, see our daycare guide.
Compulsory school (grunnskóli)
Grunnskóli (compulsory school) covers ages 6 through 16, a continuous 10-year span that combines what many other countries split into primary and lower secondary school. In Iceland, both stages usually happen in the same building under the same administration.
Education at this level is free. Municipalities fund and operate the schools. Textbooks, materials, and meals at many schools are provided at no cost to parents.
Children are assigned to their local school based on where the family is registered. Parents can request a different school within their municipality, but the local school is the default.
The National Curriculum Guide, issued by the Ministry of Education and Children, sets the framework. Core subjects include Icelandic (grammar and literature), mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, arts and crafts, and physical education.
Swimming is a mandatory part of the curriculum at every school. English instruction begins in 4th grade (around age 9), and Danish is introduced in 7th grade (around age 12).
There are no standardized national exams during compulsory school. Assessment is handled internally by each school. Students are not grouped by ability, and there is no formal grade-level separation between primary and lower secondary.
A single teacher typically handles most subjects in the younger years, while older students rotate between subject-specific teachers.
Class sizes are small by international standards. The average primary school class has around 18 students, according to OECD data (as of 2023), and the student-to-teacher ratio in primary schools is roughly 10 to 1.
What foreign children should expect
About one in six students in Icelandic compulsory schools now has a mother tongue other than Icelandic (roughly 16%, according to official statistics cited by Móðurmál as of 2025). This share has grown steadily as immigration to Iceland has increased, and schools have adapted accordingly.
All instruction in grunnskóli is in Icelandic. For a child arriving with no Icelandic, this is both the biggest challenge and the fastest route to fluency.
Children whose first language is not Icelandic are legally entitled to instruction in Icelandic as a second language, according to Eurydice. Schools provide dedicated support, though the exact format varies.
Some schools have separate reception classes for newcomers. Others integrate children into regular classes from the start, with pullout sessions for Icelandic language support. The approach depends on the school's size and the number of foreign-language students it serves.
Foreign students can also be exempted from studying Danish (the third language in the curriculum), allowing them to focus on Icelandic and English instead. In some cases, the school may recognize a student's mother tongue as part of their coursework.
Most children of immigrants reach conversational Icelandic within one to two years. Younger children adapt faster. Teenagers face a steeper curve, particularly if they arrive mid-year with limited time before upper secondary school.
For parents learning alongside their children, our learning Icelandic guide covers courses, apps, and realistic timelines.
A volunteer organization called Móðurmál offers mother-tongue instruction in over 20 languages outside regular school hours, helping multilingual children maintain their first language while learning Icelandic.
Enrolling your child in school
To enroll a child in compulsory school, you need three things: a kennitala for the child, a registered legal address in Iceland, and the child's previous school records (if applicable). Health records and vaccination documentation are also helpful.
The process works like this:
Register your address with Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands). This also assigns your child a kennitala if they do not already have one.
Contact the education department of your municipality, or register your child online through island.is. Your municipality will assign your child to the local school based on your address.
Reach out to the assigned school directly. The school will arrange an intake meeting, assess the child's language level, and set up any support services.
Children must be enrolled in school from the calendar year they turn 6. If you arrive mid-year with a school-age child, contact the municipality immediately. Schools are required to accept children regardless of when they arrive.
For a broader overview of everything you need to set up in your first weeks, see our first 30 days checklist. You will also need a kennitala before anything else works; our kennitala guide covers the process.
The school year and daily schedule
The school year runs roughly nine months, from late August to early June. The school year includes 180 school days, of which at least 170 are full teaching days, with schools open five days a week. Most schools follow a similar calendar:
Break | Typical timing |
|---|---|
Autumn break | Late October (1 week) |
Christmas break | Late December to early January (~2 weeks) |
Winter break | Mid-February (a few days) |
Easter break | Late March or April (~1 week) |
Summer break | Early June to late August |
Exact dates vary slightly between municipalities and between years. Each school publishes its own calendar on its website at the start of the year.
The school day typically runs from around 8:00 or 8:30 AM to early afternoon for younger students, and until around 2:00 or 3:00 PM for older students. After-school programs (frístundaheimili) are available for younger children and run until late afternoon. These are subsidized by municipalities and charge a modest monthly fee.
Upper secondary school (framhaldsskóli)
Framhaldsskóli (upper secondary school) follows compulsory school and is for students aged 16 to 20. It is not mandatory, but every student who has completed compulsory school has the legal right to enroll. Around 90% of students do.
Upper secondary schools are funded and managed by the central government (not municipalities). Students do not pay tuition, but they do pay a registration fee and must buy their own textbooks. There are roughly 40 upper secondary schools across Iceland, ranging from large schools with around 2,000 students in the capital area to small rural schools with fewer than 100.
The system offers three main tracks.
The academic track (bóknám) prepares students for university. The standard program takes three to four years and ends with the stúdentspróf (matriculation exam), which is the entry qualification for university studies. Subjects include Icelandic, mathematics, foreign languages, social studies, natural sciences, and electives.
The vocational track (verknám) trains students for specific trades like carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, or hairdressing. Programs typically last three to four years and end with a journeyman's certificate (sveinspróf). Students can also complete additional credits to qualify for the matriculation exam alongside their trade qualification.
A smaller number of schools offer arts and specialized programs in visual arts, music, or other fields.
Schools operate on a credit-based system, so students can adjust the pace of their studies. Some complete the academic track in three years. Others take four or more, especially if combining work and study.
For students whose first language is not Icelandic, the right to Icelandic as a second language instruction carries over from compulsory school. A few upper secondary schools in the Reykjavík area also offer programs where students can study for the matriculation exam partly in English.
Many upper secondary schools outside the capital area have boarding facilities for students from rural areas or other parts of the country.
International schools in Iceland
Iceland has a small number of international schools, all located in the greater Reykjavík area. These are the main option for families who want English-medium education or who are in Iceland for a limited period and want their children to follow an international curriculum.
International School of Iceland (ISI) in Garðabær offers education from kindergarten (age 5) through grade 10. ISI follows the International Primary Curriculum and the IB Middle Years Programme. It offers both a fully English-medium stream and a bilingual Icelandic-English stream.
Full tuition runs roughly $29,000 USD per year (as of 2024–2025). For families with legal residence in a local municipality, a voucher system partly subsidizes the cost. Check internationalschool.is for current fees.
Reykjavik International School (RIS) in Reykjavík serves students from ages 5 to 16 (Years 1–11). RIS is the only school in Iceland fully accredited to deliver an international curriculum by the Ministry of Education. It is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Instruction is primarily in English, with Icelandic language programs for both native speakers and learners. Published tuition for the 2024–2025 year was approximately 2,200,000 ISK per year, with partial subsidies available for residents of greater Reykjavík municipalities.
ABC International School in Reykjavík offers English-medium instruction following a curriculum similar to the Icelandic national system. Contact the school directly for current enrollment and fees.
International schools in Iceland are small. Spots can be limited, so apply early if you know your family will need English-medium education.
For families who plan to stay long-term, the public Icelandic system with language support is often the better choice for integration. Children who attend Icelandic schools learn the language faster and build social connections within their community.
Music schools
One distinctive feature of the Icelandic school system is the network of publicly funded music schools (tónlistarskólar). Nearly every municipality in Iceland operates a music school, and a high proportion of Icelandic children attend one alongside their regular schooling.
Music schools offer individual and group instruction in instruments, singing, and music theory. They run during after-school hours and are partially subsidized by municipalities, though parents pay a fee (amounts vary by municipality and instrument).
These schools are not part of the compulsory system, but they are a significant part of Icelandic childhood. If your child is interested in music, ask your municipality about enrollment and fees. Waitlists for popular instruments like piano and guitar are common.
University (háskóli)
Iceland has seven nationally accredited universities. The largest is the University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) in Reykjavík, with around 14,000 students.
Public universities in Iceland do not charge tuition. Students pay only an annual registration fee. At the University of Iceland, this is 100,000 ISK per year (as of 2025).
Non-EEA/EFTA applicants pay an additional one-time processing fee of 20,000 ISK. Private universities like Reykjavik University charge tuition, with fees varying by program and whether the student is from an EU/EEA country or not.
The Icelandic government has been considering the introduction of tuition fees for non-EEA/EFTA students. No decision has been finalized, but if you are a non-EEA student planning to start studies in 2026 or later, check the university's website for the latest information.
Admission to university generally requires the stúdentspróf (matriculation exam) from an Icelandic upper secondary school, or an equivalent qualification from abroad. Several universities offer programs taught in English, particularly at the graduate level, in fields like business, computer science, and renewable energy.
The Icelandic Student Loan Fund (Menntasjóður) provides loans to eligible students to cover living costs during their studies. Both Icelandic and international students may qualify, depending on their residency status and program.
For a more detailed overview of each institution and what they offer, see our university guide. If you are considering studying in Iceland on a student visa, our student visa guide covers the residence permit process.
Frequently asked questions
Is school free in Iceland? Public education is free from compulsory school (age 6) through university. Preschool is subsidized but not free, with parents typically paying 30,000–50,000 ISK per month. Upper secondary students do not pay tuition but must buy their own textbooks. University students at public institutions pay a registration fee (100,000 ISK/year at the University of Iceland) but no tuition.
What language is used in Icelandic schools? All public schools teach in Icelandic. Children whose first language is not Icelandic are entitled to Icelandic as a second language support. International schools offer English-medium instruction, but they are private and charge tuition.
How quickly do foreign children learn Icelandic in school? Most children reach conversational Icelandic within one to two years. Younger children (under 10) typically adapt faster than teenagers. Schools provide dedicated language support, and full immersion in an Icelandic-speaking environment accelerates the process significantly.
Are there international schools in Iceland? Yes, but only a few, all in the greater Reykjavík area. The International School of Iceland (ISI) and Reykjavik International School (RIS) are the main options. Both charge tuition, though municipal subsidies reduce the cost for local residents. Spots are limited.
Can my child start school mid-year? Yes. Icelandic compulsory schools are required to accept children at any point during the year. Contact your municipality as soon as you arrive and have a registered address and kennitala.
Do I need to speak Icelandic to communicate with the school? It helps, but most schools in the Reykjavík area can communicate with parents in English when needed. Smaller or more rural schools may have less English-language capacity. School communications, newsletters, and the online portal (often through Mentor or similar platforms) are typically in Icelandic.
Last updated: March 2026
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