Iceland (IS)

The kennitala is a 10-digit identification number (format: DDMMYY-XXXX) that is THE most important document in Iceland. Required for absolutely everything: healthcare, banking, tax, buying a mobile phone contract, registering a car, library cards, shopping loyalty cards, prescriptions, government services, and more. Obtained from Þjóðskrá Íslands (Registers Iceland / National Registry) upon registering your address. Without a kennitala, you cannot function in Icelandic society. Even foreigners staying temporarily may be issued a temporary kennitala. Memorise your kennitala — you will use it multiple times per day.

Required for all immigration registration, opening a bank account, and obtaining a kennitala. Non-EEA nationals must hold a valid passport throughout their stay. EEA citizens can use their national ID card for most EU/EEA-related procedures. Make multiple photocopies and store them separately from your original.

Iceland's digital identity certificate — issued by Auðkenni, the national electronic identification provider. Used to authenticate with island.is (government portal), online banking, and most digital government services. Linked to your kennitala. Available as a smartphone app (Auðkenni app) or hardware token. The equivalent of Denmark's MitID. Essential for all digital government interaction. Apply at island.is once you have a kennitala.

EEA/EU citizens staying in Iceland for more than 3 months must register their right of residence with Útlendingastofnun (the Directorate of Immigration — utlendingastofnun.is). This provides formal confirmation of your legal residence rights. Different from address registration at Þjóðskrá. Required to demonstrate legal residency for certain applications and long-term entitlements.

Non-EEA nationals require a work permit (vinnuleyfi) from Vinnumálastofnun (the Directorate of Labour — vinnumalastofnun.is) BEFORE arriving in Iceland. The permit must be secured by your employer before you travel. Arriving without a valid work permit when required is illegal. Also need a corresponding residence permit from Útlendingastofnun. Both must be valid throughout your stay.

Registration of your residential address at the National Registry (Þjóðskrá Íslands — registers.is). Must be completed within a short time of moving to Iceland. This registration triggers the issuance of your kennitala and formally establishes your legal residence in Iceland. Must be updated whenever you change address. Visit a Þjóðskrá office or complete online via island.is with electronic ID.

Your tax card (skattspá) from Skatturinn (the Directorate of Internal Revenue — skatturinn.is) determines how much income tax your employer withholds from your salary each month. Critically, you must also register your persónuafsláttur (personal tax credit — approximately ISK 71,345/month in 2026) — without activating this credit, your employer withholds tax at the maximum rate. Log in to skatturinn.is with Rafræn skilríki to confirm and activate your tax card.

Required for registering children in the Þjóðskrá, citizenship applications, some visa applications, and marriage registration. Must be an official extract from your country of birth.

Required for family reunification applications, registering a spouse at Þjóðskrá, and some benefits claims.

Required for kennitala and address registration at Þjóðskrá. A signed rental contract or confirmation from a property owner that you reside at their address. Must show the complete address in Iceland.

Required for recognition of foreign qualifications and regulated profession licensing. Iceland is a Hague Apostille member; apostille and certified Icelandic or English translation required. Regulated professions have dedicated authorities: Embætti landlæknis (Directorate of Health) for healthcare professionals; Lögmannafélag Íslands for lawyers; specific ministry bodies for engineers and teachers. Process can take 2–6 months.

Your home country driving licence. EEA licences are recognised in Iceland. Non-EEA licences must generally be exchanged for an Icelandic licence. Keep your original — needed for exchange. For driving Iceland's Highland F-roads, a 4WD vehicle is legally required — even with a valid licence, you may be turned away at unstaffed checkpoints.

Registration with an Icelandic pension fund is mandatory for all employees. Your employer will typically arrange this. Mandatory contributions: employee 4% + employer 11.5% of gross salary. You choose which approved pension fund (lífeyrissjóður) to join — your employer may have a default. The pension fund issues a membership number. Keep records of all contributions.