Your life in Iceland starts here
Make your move to Iceland
Glaciers, geysers and volcanic landscapes make Iceland extraordinary, and its healthcare is excellent. A remote-work route offers a taste of Nordic life, with permanent residency reachable in time.
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Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels
At a glance
Iceland, in brief.
How Iceland compares with the 80+ destinations we cover. Iceland ranks among the best for healthcare (6th of 78) and size of expat community (23rd of 81) and english-friendliness (29th of 81).
Compare destinations- Cost of living
- Very high
- Property
- Expensive
- Healthcare
- Excellent
- Safety
- Safe
- Climate
- Cool (~5°C)
- English
- Very widely spoken
- Expat community
- Very large
Remote-work visa 6mo only, 4yr PR, dual
Worldwide, up to 46%, expert deduction
Life in Iceland
I am Cat Gundry-Beck, a photographer from Ireland. Where, when and why did you move abroad?I moved to Reykjavík, Iceland in April 2018 because I wanted to fully…
Health insurance in Iceland
Covered from day one.
The dream is the easy part. Compare tailored expat health insurance quotes from trusted international insurers, in minutes and with no obligation.
Get health insurance quotes In partnership with Moving your belongings too? Get up to five free quotes from international moversSending money abroad? Use a currency specialist
Your move plan
Iceland, one step at a time.
Thirteen steps, in the order most people tackle them. Each one links to the guide that walks you through it.
- 01Check which visa fits your moveRead the guide : Check which visa fits your move
- 02Work out your monthly budgetRead the guide : Work out your monthly budget
- 03Arrange health cover for your moveRead the guide : Arrange health cover for your move
- 04Understand how the health system worksRead the guide : Understand how the health system works
- 05Bring your pet, if you have oneRead the guide : Bring your pet, if you have one
- 06Find somewhere to rentRead the guide : Find somewhere to rent
- 07Open a local bank accountRead the guide : Open a local bank account
- 08Know your residency steps after you arriveRead the guide : Know your residency steps after you arrive
- 09Find a doctorRead the guide : Find a doctor
- 10Understand your tax positionRead the guide : Understand your tax position
- 11Sort out your driving licenceRead the guide : Sort out your driving licence
- 12Set up a phone and internetRead the guide : Set up a phone and internet
- 13Plan schools, if you're moving with childrenRead the guide : Plan schools, if you're moving with children
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Plan your move
Answers for your move.
Free tools that turn big questions about Iceland into clear answers.
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- Compare cost of livingWhat your money is worth in Iceland.01
- Check retirement affordabilityWhere your pension clears the requirement.02
- Find visa optionsEvery route you could qualify for.03
- Get moving quotesUp to five free quotes from international movers.04
- Move money abroadTransfers with a currency specialist.05
The complete picture
The Iceland moving guide.
54 guides, from your visa to finding a vet. Start with the three most people need first.
Moving guide sponsored by- Start here · 01
Visas
Which visa fits your move, and how to apply.
- Start here · 02
Residency
Your residence permit, from first stay to long term.
- Start here · 03
Banking
Opening an account and moving money.
Visas, residency and work
6
Healthcare
7
Buying property
5
Health and wellbeing
8
Travel and transport
5
Driving and cars
5
You won't be the first
Real people who made the move.
People who built a life in Iceland share what surprised them, what helped and what they'd do again. All Iceland stories
- Akureyri
Mari
I’m Mari, a 36 year old female from Helsinki, Finland. Where, when and why did you move abroad? The very first time…
- Reykjavik
Crystal Chilcott
I’m Crystal, an American figure skating coach working in Iceland. I’ve travelled through 24 countries and write about my various adventures and…
- Reykjavik
Kaelene Spence
Hi! My name is Kaelene and I come from the lovely Oregon where I have lived my entire life up until I…
Fresh from Iceland
Latest articles.
Nordic Career Paths: Understanding Job Opportunities in Iceland’s Key Industries
Iceland's economy is a dynamic mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors. From its world-renowned fisheries to burgeoning technology startups, the nation provides diverse…
How To Open A Bank Account In Iceland
When Iceland’s banking system collapsed in the 2008 financial crisis, the government let the banks go bankrupt, rather than bailing them out, and secured…
How To Learn The Language In Iceland
Iceland is a reassuring country to visit if you are English-speaking: a large percentage of the population speaks English and you should have few…
Hear it first hand
The podcast on Iceland.
Conversations with people who've made the move, and the experts who help them. All Iceland episodes
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