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UK Withdrawal Agreement Residence Right

IcelandFree movement

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Iceland Read the five questions ↓

Which citizenship, status or regional agreement creates the person's right to move/reside?

UK nationality combined with a right to reside in Iceland before 1 January 2021: they keep their pre-Brexit rights to live and work while they stay resident. UK nationals without such prior residence must apply like other non-EEA/EFTA citizens.

See recorded sources

Under which circumstances can the person reside: worker, self-employed, student, jobseeker, self-funded person or another recognised basis?

Covered UK nationals keep the same rights to live and work they had before Brexit; the card confirms legal stay and permission to work.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not list the separate bases (worker, student, self-sufficient, etc.) behind the retained right.

What entry, registration or residence-document formalities remain?

The Directorate of Immigration issues residence permit cards to qualifying UK nationals; they only book an appointment for a photo, bringing a passport. Holders carry the card with the passport when travelling.

See recorded sources

Which non-member-country family members can accompany or join, and what broad rights do they receive?

Covered UK nationals keep EEA-style family reunification for a spouse, dependent children and grandchildren, and dependent parents and grandparents (including the spouse’s), if the relationship began before 31 December 2020, and for children born or adopted after 1 January 2021 in their custody. For marriages after 1 January 2021 the spouse applies for a standard spouse permit.

See recorded sources
  • https://island.is/en/uk-nationals
    retain the right to family reunification that they had under the EEA legislation
  • https://island.is/en/uk-nationals
    your spouse, dependent children and grandchildren, and dependent parents and grandparents, including those of your spouse, provided that the family relationship began before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 your children, born or adopted after 1 January 2021, if you have custody of them.
  • https://island.is/en/uk-nationals
    In case you got married after 1 January 2021 you can apply for a

When do permanent/long-term rights arise and what continuity, absence or retention conditions matter?

Permanent residence arises after at least five continuous years of legal residence. Absences under six months a year, military service, or up to one year for compelling reasons do not break continuity. The right is lost after more than five continuous years outside Iceland.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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