IcelandLong-term residence
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
The target status is the right to permanent residence in Iceland for UK citizens (and qualifying family members) who had a registered right of residence before 1 January 2021.
Permanent right to reside for UK citizens with registered residence before 1 January 2021
At least five continuous years of legal residence in Iceland, for UK citizens with a registered right of residence before 1 January 2021. The official source does not state when the five years begin.
British citizens who had a registered right of residence in Iceland before 1 January 2021 shall acquire the right to permanent residence in Iceland when they have resided in Iceland legally for a continuous period of at least five years.
Legal residence in Iceland counts. Family members qualify if they registered before 1 January 2021, came later on family ties formed before that date, or are children in custody born or adopted after 1 January 2021, once they have five years of legal continuous residence. The official source does not distinguish residence types that count fully, partially or not at all beyond legal residence.
The same right is enjoyed by family members of British citizens who had the right to reside here before 1 January 2021 if the family members themselves had registered a right of residence in Iceland before 1 January 2021, if the family members arrived in Iceland after 1 January 2021 on the basis of family ties formed before that date, as well as children in their custody who were born or adopted after 1 January 2021 when they have resided legally in Iceland for a continuous period of at least five years.
Continuity is not interrupted by absences of under six months in total per year, by military service, or by absence of up to one year for compelling reasons (pregnancy, birth, serious illness, education or training, or posted work abroad).
The following shall not be regarded as interruptions to continuous residence: stay abroad for less than six months in total per year, stay abroad for military service or stay for a maximum period of one year for compelling reasons, such as pregnancy, birth, serious illness, education or vocational training or employment abroad for which the person concerned has been seconded.
The permanent residence right is applied for with a copy of the passport's personal-information and signature pages; there is no application fee, and a new card costs ISK 8,000. The right is cancelled after more than five continuous years outside Iceland.
For registration of the right to permanent residence you must submit an application for a permanent residence right
No payment is required for an application. Those who request a new residence permit card must, however, pay 8.000 ISK
The right to permanent residence is cancelled if the person concerned resides outside of Iceland for a continuous period of more than five years.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.