Moving to Iceland: A Step-by-Step Checklist for Newcomers
Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming when you do not yet know where to start. This guide is a simple, ordered checklist for newcomers settling in Iceland, written in plain English for people who are still learning their way around the system. Think of it as your map: each step builds on the one before it, and we link you to a more detailed guide whenever you are ready to go deeper. The exact rules and paperwork can vary depending on your nationality and your situation, so always confirm the details with the official Icelandic authorities we mention along the way. This page gives you general orientation, not legal advice. Take it one step at a time, and by the end you will have a clear plan for your first months in Iceland.
Step 1: Check your right to live and work in Iceland
Before anything else, find out what you are allowed to do, because this shapes every step that follows. If you are a citizen of an EEA or EFTA country, you generally have the right to come to Iceland to live and work without a residence permit, though you will still need to register once you arrive. If you are from outside the EEA or EFTA, you will usually need a residence permit, and in many cases this must be sorted before you travel rather than after. Permits come in different categories depending on whether you are coming for work, study, family or another reason, and the requirements differ for each. The official authority for all of this is Útlendingastofnun, the Directorate of Immigration, and their website is the place to confirm which rules apply to your nationality and circumstances. Because immigration rules change and depend heavily on your individual situation, treat this section as a starting point and let Útlendingastofnun give you the final word.
Step 2: Register your residence and get your kennitala
Once you are allowed to be in Iceland, your next job is to register with Þjóðskrá, the national registry, and obtain a kennitala. A kennitala is your Icelandic identification number, and you will need it for almost everything that comes next, from opening a bank account to signing a rental contract and starting a job. The process for getting one depends on whether you are from the EEA or EFTA or from elsewhere, and on how long you plan to stay, so check Þjóðskrá's guidance for the route that fits you. Registering your legal domicile, meaning the address where you actually live, is also part of becoming part of the system and can affect things like your tax and healthcare status. It is worth treating this as a priority early task, because so many other steps wait on it. For a fuller walkthrough of what to bring and how the process works, see our dedicated guide on getting a kennitala in Iceland.
Step 3: Find somewhere to live
Finding a place to live is one of the biggest early challenges, especially in and around Reykjavík where demand is high and good listings can disappear quickly. It is wise to start looking as soon as you can, even before you arrive if possible, and to have a temporary plan for your first days while you search for something longer term. Most newcomers begin by renting, and rental listings appear on dedicated websites, social media groups and through word of mouth, so it pays to check several sources. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand the contract, the deposit, what is included in the rent, and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true or that ask for money before you have seen a place or met the landlord. Our detailed guide on finding a place to rent in Iceland explains how the rental market works and what to look out for, so read it before you commit to anything.
Step 4: Open a bank account and set up electronic ID
With your kennitala in hand, you can open an Icelandic bank account, which you will need to receive your salary and pay bills and rent. To open an account you will normally visit a bank in person and bring identification along with your kennitala, though requirements can vary between banks, so it is worth checking what each one asks for. While you are setting up your banking, also arrange your rafræn skilríki, or electronic ID, which is widely used in Iceland to log in securely to public services, your bank and many other systems. Electronic ID is often linked to your phone, and having it set up early will save you a lot of friction later when you need to access tax, healthcare and government portals. Getting these two things in place turns a lot of otherwise slow, in-person tasks into quick online ones. For step-by-step help, see our guide on opening a bank account in Iceland, which also covers setting up electronic ID.
Step 5: Sort your tax card and register for healthcare
Before your first payday, you will want to make sure your tax is set up correctly, because this affects how much of your wage you take home. In Iceland, income tax is handled through Skatturinn, the tax authority, and most employees benefit from a personal tax credit that reduces the tax deducted from their pay. Your employer needs your tax information so that this credit is applied to your salary rather than left unused, so it is worth understanding how this works and making sure everything is in order early. Alongside tax, look into healthcare: access to the public health system is administered through Sjúkratryggingar, and eligibility often depends on being registered and on how long you have been resident, so check their rules for your situation. Sorting these two things early means fewer surprises on your payslip and clearer access to medical care when you need it. Our detailed guide on getting a tax card and how tax works in Iceland explains the personal tax credit and the practical steps involved.
Step 6: Find work and know your rights
With your paperwork in place, you are ready to focus on finding a job, and this is where your move really starts to come together. Many newcomers worry about the language, but there are roles across Iceland where English is enough to get started, and browsing English-friendly listings is a good way to see what is realistically open to you. When you do land a job, take time to understand your rights as a worker, because Iceland has strong protections around wages, working hours, holidays and conditions. A key part of this is the trade union system: most employees in Iceland are covered by a union, which negotiates minimum terms and can support you if something goes wrong, so find out which union covers your field and what it offers. Knowing your rights from the start helps you spot if something is not right and gives you the confidence to ask questions. Our guides on your rights as a worker in Iceland and healthcare for foreign workers go into more detail once you are ready. You have now got a plan from arrival to employment, so the best next step is to start applying.