Iceland is not bound by the recast Qualification Directive. Transposition of Standards Qualification Regulation is yet to be decided by parliamentary resolution. Content and forms of protection are stipulated under Section IV: Refugees and protection against persecution of the Foreign Nationals Act.

According to the national legislation, people who are persecuted in their home country or are at risk of the death penalty, torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are entitled to international protection as refugees in Iceland. Stateless persons are entitled to international protection on the grounds of statelessness.

Legal provisions relating to review, renewal and withdrawal of refugee status: The national legislation (Article 44, Article 48 and Article 55 of the Foreign Nationals Act) stipulates that a residence permit granted on grounds of international protection according to Article 74.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: Under Article 74 of the Foreign Nationals Act, a person who is granted refugee status is issued a residence permit valid for four (4) years for the first permit. If the grounds for protection remain, the permit can be renewed for another four-year period. After fulfilling the residence period and conditions, the person may apply for permanent residence (typically after four years of continuous legal residence, per Article 57 of the Act).

Review of the status: The Directorate of Immigration is responsible to renew a residence permit by sub delegation from the Minister of Justice. The Directorate of Immigration may renew a foreign national’s residence permit upon application if the original conditions are still met. The Directorate may also review status if there are serious indications that:

• The refugee status was granted based on false or incomplete information.
• The individual should have been excluded from protection (e.g., due to serious crime or threat to national security).

In special cases, exceptions may be made regarding financial stability if the applicant has faced temporary difficulties due to unemployment, illness, or other valid reasons, particularly if fairness justifies such an exception.

To renew a residence permit for refugees in Iceland, applicants must complete a digital application online using an electronic ID. This process does not apply to those under collective protection from Ukraine. The application can be saved and completed within 60 days. The renewal fee is 16,000 ISK, which must be paid online at the final step. Bank transfers are not accepted. The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is cancelled by the applicant.

Applicants must submit their renewal request before their current permit expires but no earlier than two months before its expiry date. The Directorate of Immigration will reassess the situation in the applicant’s home country. If protection is no longer necessary, the renewal request will be denied, and subsidiary protection revoked, which may also affect family members with dependent residence permits. Legal aid is available, in line with Article 53 of the Foreign Nationals Act. Applicants may receive free legal counselling and representation funded by the state.

If refugee status is withdrawn or not renewed, the individual can appeal the decision to the Icelandic Asylum Appeals Board (Article 74 and Article 106 of the Foreign Nationals Act). The appeal must be lodged within 15 days of notification, and the Board’s decision is final. If necessary, the individual can further appeal to the courts, but this falls under the general administrative court system.

If the appeal is rejected, individuals may apply for another type of residence permit. If they do not qualify for an alternative permit, they must leave Iceland within 15 days. Failure to leave may result in police enforcement and a two-year ban from entering the Schengen area.

For approved applications, applicants must attend a photo appointment to obtain a new residence permit card, bringing their passport for identification. The new card is usually ready within 10 days, and applicants will receive a text notification when it is available for pickup at Dalvegur 18 or a District Commissioner's office if requested.

A residence permit may be renewed even though the conditions of Article 55 are not completely fulfilled.

Beneficiaries of refugee status can apply for a permanent residence permit after having a residence permit on grounds of international protection for four years.

Withdrawal of the status: According to Article 48 of the Foreign Nationals Act, international protection may be withdrawn if a foreign national no longer meets the conditions outlined in the grounds for international protection (Articles 37, 39, 43, and 45 for the Foreign Nationals Act). This applies if the individual has voluntarily sought protection from their home country, regained lost nationality, acquired a new nationality with corresponding protection, or returned to their country of origin after previously fleeing due to persecution.

Revocation of the status: Refugee protection status may be revoked if the circumstances that led to the status no longer exist, allowing the person to safely return to their home country or former place of residence. However, revocation will not occur under these conditions if the individual can provide compelling reasons related to past persecution for refusing to return.

Specifically, according to article. 48 of the Foreign Nationals Act, international protection may be revoked if a refugee or stateless person is no longer covered if:

• he/she has voluntarily sought the protection of his/her home country once more,
• he/she has voluntarily regained his/her lost nationality,
• he/she has acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of his/her new home country,
• he/she has voluntarily resumed residence in the state which he/she left or did not reside in for fear of persecution,
• he/she can no longer refuse to avail him/herself of the protection of the home country because the conditions which resulted in his/her being recognised as a refugee no longer prevail,
• he/she can return to the state where he/she previously normally resided because the conditions which resulted in his/her being recognised as a refugee no longer prevail, in the case of a stateless person.

The Directorate of Immigration also determines whether a residence permit should be revoked if the holder has been abroad continuously for more than three months. If a person’s legal domicile is registered abroad for three months, their residence permit automatically expires. However, renewal may still be possible under this provision if done within the permit’s validity period and if fairness supports it. The Minister may establish further regulations regarding the renewal process.

If international protection is revoked, the authorities shall consider whether a residence permit should be granted on humanitarian grounds (Article. 74) or (Article. 42) on the application of the principle of non-refoulement: prohibiting expulsion or return of an individual to a place where his/her life or freedom may be in jeopardy is applicable.

The Directorate of Immigration must inform the refugee in advance of the potential revocation and its reasons. If protection is revoked, authorities will assess whether a residence permit should be granted on humanitarian grounds under Article 74 or if the non-refoulement principle under Article 42 applies.

If an individual's renewal application is rejected, they will have the opportunity to apply for a residence permit in Iceland based on a different basis. If the individual meets the conditions of the new permit, they will be granted permission to stay in Iceland.

If the individual does not apply for an alternative residence permit, or if they fail to meet the requirements of the new permit, they must leave the country. In such cases, the individual is usually granted a 15-day period to leave voluntarily. If they do not leave within the granted period, the case will be referred to the police for enforcement, and the individual will generally be banned from entering the Schengen area for the next two years.

Renewal of residence permits on the grounds of subsidiary protection

Pursuant to Article 38 of the Foreign Nationals Act, subsidiary protection is granted to people who are at risk of being subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, or may be subject to serious injury due to random violence resulting from armed conflict, should they be returned to their home country.

Legal provisions relating to review, renewal and withdrawal of subsidiary protection: Article 48 of the Foreign Nationals Act, stipulate grounds for automatic review or revocation of the status in the following cases: The circumstances in the country of origin have changed significantly and durably, removing the grounds for subsidiary protection or person concern voluntarily re-avails his/herself of protection in his/her country of origin. Status may also be reviewed if there is evidence that the status was granted on the basis of false or incomplete information or if the beneficiary should have been excluded from subsidiary protection due to serious crime or threats to public order.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: Under Article 74 of the Foreign Nationals Act, a person who is granted subsidiary protection (vernd á grundvelli mannúðarsjónarmiða) is issued a residence permit valid for one year initially. If the conditions for subsidiary protection remain, the permit can be renewed for up to two years at a time. After fulfilling residence conditions (usually four years of continuous legal residence), the individual may apply for a permanent residence permit under Article 57.

Review of the status: The Directorate of Immigration is the competent authority for granting, reviewing, and renewing subsidiary protection status. When reviewing subsidiary protection, the Directorate must notify the beneficiary in writing of the intent to review or withdraw along with the reasons and to invite the beneficiary to submit observations. In such case, calls the person concerned in a personal interview to ensure the applicant can explain his/her continued need for protection and consider the newly submitted evidence.

A residence permit granted under subsidiary protection can only be renewed if the conditions for such protection remain valid. When processing a renewal application, the Directorate of Immigration will reassess the general situation in the applicant’s home country to determine whether they still qualify for subsidiary protection.

If the conditions continue to be met, the permit will be renewed. However, if the Directorate concludes that protection is no longer necessary, the subsidiary protection status will be revoked, and the renewal application will be denied. This revocation may also impact the residency rights of family members who hold permits based on family reunification.

According to Article 53, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are entitled to free legal assistance, including advice and representation during review of their status.

A decision to withdraw or not renew subsidiary protection can be appealed to the Icelandic Asylum Appeals Board within 15 days of notification (Article 106). The Board’s decision is final in the administrative process, but the individual may pursue judicial review through the national courts.

The renewal process for a residence permit for beneficiaries under subsidiary protection is the same as the process for refugees.

If an individual's renewal application is rejected, they will have the opportunity to apply for a residence permit in Iceland based on a different basis. If the individual meets the conditions of the new permit, they will be granted permission to stay in Iceland.

If the individual does not apply for an alternative residence permit, or if they fail to meet the requirements of the new permit, they must leave the country. In such cases, the individual is usually granted a 15-day period to leave voluntarily. If they do not leave within the granted period, the case will be referred to the police for enforcement, and the individual will generally be banned from entering the Schengen area for the next two years.

Withdrawal of the status: The withdrawal can be initiated by the Directorate if there is new information or evidence that the conditions for protection no longer exist or if the grounds for exclusion apply. The same procedural safeguards apply as for the review: written notice, opportunity to comment, a personal interview, and the right to legal aid.

The withdrawal decision can be appealed to the Immigration and Asylum Appeals Board, which will review whether the legal grounds and procedural guarantees were correctly applied.

Consequences of Withdrawal

Cessation of residence rights: When subsidiary protection is withdrawn, the residence permit loses legal effect immediately when the withdrawal decision becomes final, unless the person concerned has other grounds for residence.

Possibility of other residence status: The Foreign Nationals Act does not automatically guarantee an alternative status but allows the individual to apply for another type of residence permit (e.g., on humanitarian or other grounds under Articles 37–39). In practice, the Directorate may inform the individual of this possibility in the withdrawal decision, and legal counselling is available to assist in applying for another status if eligible.

Legal provisions relating to the review, renewal and withdrawal of national forms of protection: A residence permit on humanitarian grounds is granted on the basis of Article 74 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

A residence permit on for possible victims of human trafficking is granted on the basis of Article 75 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

A residence permit on for victims of human trafficking is granted on the basis of Article 76 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

A humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection is granted on the basis of Article 44 and Article 74 of the Foreign Nationals Act.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: A residence permit for humanitarian reasons may be granted to individuals seeking international protection who do not qualify for asylum or subsidiary protection but can demonstrate a pressing need for protection. This may be due to health issues, severe social hardships, or challenging conditions in their home country or the country to which they would be deported.

A residence permit granted under these provisions shall not be issued for longer than one year. A residence permit may be renewed for up to two years at a time under this article, provided that the initial reasons for granting the permit have not changed.

Additionally, a humanitarian permit may be issued to asylum seekers if their case has not been resolved at the administrative level within 18 months (or 16 months for children). In such cases, the permit may be granted if:

• The applicant has provided a statement regarding international protection.
• Their identity is verified.
• There are no known reasons for expulsion.
• The applicant has cooperated and provided necessary information to assist in resolving their case.

A residence permit of up to nine months may be granted to foreign nationals suspected of being victims of human trafficking, along with their children if they are in Iceland with them. During this period, they cannot be expelled, and the police will assist in assessing their situation.

However, if there is reason to believe that someone is falsely claiming to be a victim to obtain a permit, or if granting the permit would threaten public order, the request may be denied. If the person has also applied for international protection, that application will be processed first. This temporary permit cannot lead to permanent residency.

A victim of human trafficking and their child in Iceland may be granted a one-year renewable residence permit under special circumstances. This may be allowed if it is necessary due to the individual’s personal situation or if the police request it for cooperation in a criminal investigation. During this period, the person cannot be expelled. However, this temporary permit does not lead to permanent residency.

Review of the status: If the holder of the permit stays abroad for more than three consecutive months, the residence permit can be revoked. A foreign national’s residence permit is automatically revoked if his/her domicile, which was registered in Iceland, has been registered abroad for a period of three months.

According to information by the Directorate of Immigration, even though a residence permit on humanitarian grounds has been revoked, it is possible to apply for a renewal, if this is done within the validity period of the previous residence permit and the reasons for doing so recommend it.

Renewal of the status: The application process for renewal is the same as for all beneficiaries of a form of protection in Iceland and can be submitted online. Fees for renewal apply.

Withdrawal of the status: The Directorate of Immigration is responsible for withdrawal or revocation of the humanitarian protection status on the grounds mentioned above. The national legislation does not stipulate if the procedure involves a personal interview. However, foreign national’s residence permit is automatically revoked if his/her domicile, which was registered in Iceland, has been registered abroad for a period of three months.

Grounds for the withdrawal of the status: The grounds for withdrawal of status are the same for all types of residence permits granted under protection status in Iceland.

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: If an individual does not meet the requirements for the permit s/he applies for, must leave the country. In such cases, the individual is typically granted a 15-day period to leave voluntarily. If they do not leave within this period, the matter will be referred to the police for enforcement, and they will generally be banned from entering the Schengen area for the next two years.

All individuals who are granted a residence permit based on international protection or subsidiary protection under the Foreign Nationals Act are provided with education and guidance regarding their rights and obligations, as well as essential information about Icelandic society. This includes details on employment opportunities, housing, Icelandic language courses, and general education. They also receive assistance in connecting with the municipality where they plan to settle. Beneficiaries of international protection are also entitled to the right of family reunification.

The Directorate of Immigration is responsible for providing information about the rights and obligations of beneficiaries of international protection. Information is publicly available online on the website of the Directorate of Immigration and it is updated on regular basis.

The Ministry of Justice is responsible to propose amendments in the legislation by submitting draft bills for adoption in the Parliament of Iceland. Additionally, may issue practical guidelines for implementation of rules and procedures by the competent authorities.

Social assistance is provided by the municipality in which the individual resides according to the Municipalities’ Social Services Act

The Directorate of Labour in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs maintain and regularly update the website https://www.landneminn.is/en and the website of the Multicultural Information Centre.

The Directorate of Labour also offers referrals for services for beneficiaries of international protection to relevant municipalities.

Refugees

A residence permit on grounds of international protection is granted on the basis of Article 37(1) and Article 40(1) of the Foreign Nationals Act.

The residence permit is granted upon decision of the Directorate of Immigration to grant refugee status to an applicant. The initial a residence permit is valid for three years and can be renewed upon application of the beneficiary.

Procedure for delivering the residence permit (including timelines):

If all the requirements for a residence permit are met, the application will be approved, the beneficiary will be notified by the Directorate of Immigration.

To issue the residence permit, the person must attend a photo appointment either at the Directorate of Immigration (with an appointment) or at district commissioners’ office, if resides outside the capital area. After the appointment, the permit will be issued, and a residence permit card will be ordered. The beneficiary will receive an email when the card is ready and can pick it up five days later at the same location where the appointment for the photo was held.

The Directorate of Immigration will also request the beneficiary legal domicile to be registered with Registers Iceland, which will assign a personal identification number (kennitala).

Once the residence permit is issued, services for applicants of international protection will end, but housing and maintenance support will continue for three months. After that period the beneficiary will be channeled to find private accommodation and must update his/her address with Registers Iceland accordingly.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

Pursuant to Article 38 of the Foreign Nationals Act, subsidiary protection is granted to people who are at risk of being subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, or may be subject to serious injury due to random violence resulting from armed conflict, should they be returned to their home country.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in Iceland, will receive a residence permit valid for two years upon decision of the Directorate of Immigration.

The procedure for delivering the residence permit is the same as for refugees.

The travel document for refugees is issued on the basis of Article 46, paragraph 1 of the Foreign Nationals Act, Article 1 of the Passports Act and Article 17 of the Regulation on Icelandic Passports.

Beneficiaries of refugee status or subsidiary protection status residing legally in Iceland can apply for a refugee travel document to travel abroad. Travel document for refugees is, issued by the Directorate of Immigration. The validity period of a passport for a foreigner and a travel document for a refugee shall normally be two years from the date of issue.

The National Register of Iceland maintains a central register in computerized form, a passport register, of all issued passports, including diplomatic passports, service passports, emergency passports, passports for foreigners and travel documents for refugees.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted in paper form, either in person at the Directorate of Immigration's designated drop box at Dalvegur 18, Kópavogur, or by mailing them to the same address. Alternatively, applications can be submitted and paid for in person at the Directorate’s reception or at district magistrate offices outside the capital. The application must be completed and signed by the applicant or their guardian if applying for a child under 18.

Fees: The processing fee is 6,000 ISK.

Supporting documents: Applicants must submit any passport or travel documents they hold, including those from other countries. If the applicant has previously received a travel document from the Directorate of Immigration, it must be submitted with the new application.

Application approval: Once approved, the applicant will be invited for a photo session.

Application denial: A travel document may be refused if:

• The applicant's identity is unconfirmed or doubtful.
• The applicant is wanted by the police or has an arrest warrant.
• The applicant has been convicted of a serious crime and poses a danger to society.
• State security or foreign policy concerns oppose issuance.

Rights and obligations 

If the travel document is lost or destroyed, the applicant must immediately notify both the police and the Directorate of Immigration.

Revocation of the travel document

A refugee travel document will be revoked if:

• The holder is deported.
• The holder obtains a passport from his/her home country.
• The holder loses refugee status (e.g., by acquiring Icelandic or another country's citizenship).
• The holder is legally prohibited from leaving the country.
• The document is altered illegally or damaged beyond use.
• The holder no longer has a valid residence permit in Iceland.

Pursuant to the national legislation, beneficiaries of international or subsidiary protection residing legally in Iceland can apply for a refugee travel document to travel abroad. However, travelling time abroad must not exceed 3 months and could be limited to specific locations.

According to the Foreign Nationals' Right to Work Act, no 97/2002, foreign nationals who have received residence permits as refugees under the Foreign Nationals Act are exempt from requirements regarding work permits. According to Article 23 of the Regulation on Foreign Nationals’ Right to Work, No. 339/2005, a refugee may be granted a permanent work permit, which confers the right to work in Iceland for an unrestricted period and remains valid for as long as the foreign national is domiciled in Iceland. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour issues and publishes guidelines on welfare services for individuals who have received residence permits on grounds of Articles 43, 73 and 74 of Foreign Nationals Act. Social assistance is provided by the municipality in which the individual resides according to the Municipalities’ Social Services Act. 

Children and beneficiaries of international protection have right to access education on the same level as nationals.

• Iceland has a ten-year compulsory education for children from the age of 6 to 16 years.
• Secondary school from 16-19 years old (and older). Teenagers aged 16-18 have a right to attend secondary school. ​
• In secondary school, people study for their matriculation examination or vocational studies. ​
• University or specialised schools.​

Continued education for adults’ programmes is also available.

More information is available on the website of the Directorate of Labour

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation is responsible for overseeing the recognition of professional qualifications in Iceland. Individuals seeking recognition of their qualifications can find more information at Island.is.

For academic recognition of studies and professional qualifications, the ENIC-NARIC Office provides assistance. They offer details about educational systems, qualifications, and assessment methods, and help with the recognition of qualifications for various trades. The ENIC-NARIC Networks support individuals, universities, employers, and institutions throughout the process.

Useful links:

• Act on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (no. 26/2010)
• Regulation on the recognition of professional qualifications for working in Iceland (no. 477/2020)
• Regulation on the recognition of qualifications for regulated trades in Iceland (no. 585/2011)
• Immigration Act No. 116/2012 and subsequent amendments. 

Beneficiaries of international protection have access to social security and assistance as nationals. Social assistance is provided by the municipality in which the individual resides according to the Municipalities’ Social Services Act and includes the following services:

• Social counselling
• Financial support
• Home-based social assistance
• Support for children and young people
• Adolescent services
• Services for the elderly
• Support for disabled individuals
• Housing assistance
• Help for alcoholics and drug abuse prevention
• Unemployment registration assistance and job services

Beneficiaries of international protection have access to health care as nationals provided that they have been registered under a health insurance scheme.

Laws on patients' rights dictate that a patient who does not speak Icelandic, has the right to request interpreting services for information that relates to their health, prospective treatment or other possible remedies. ​

The services of an interpreter must be requested when the appointment is made with a physician, nurse, or midwife. ​

More information is available at the dedicated website of the Directorate of Labour.

Refugees:

In Iceland, persons who have been granted refugee status have the right to access accommodation support under the Foreign Nationals Act and the Municipalities’ Social Services Act, No. 40/1991 and subsequent amendments. After recognition of status, refugees are generally entitled to the same housing assistance as other residents who are unable to secure independent accommodation. There are no explicit restrictive conditions once refugee status is granted, but access to municipal housing or social housing may depend on local capacity, municipal regulations, and the applicant’s income or family situation. Refugees are expected to move out of reception centre after being granted status and as the next step of their transition to independent housing with support.

The Directorate of Labour and the Directorate of Immigration participate in a project regarding coordinated reception of refugees. According to information available at the Multicultural Information Centre, the programme is similar to municipal dispersal system for both refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection as well as for beneficiaries of a residence permit on humanitarian grounds. The Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Labour, work with local municipalities to place beneficiaries and their families in communities that have capacity to provide housing, social services, and integration support. There is no strict legal quota, but dispersal is guided by practical agreements between the state, the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities, and individual municipalities.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection: Same as beneficiaries of refugee status.

Refugees:

In Iceland, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are entitled access integration measures under the Foreign Nationals Act, which specify their rights to residence, access to municipal services, and participation in measures facilitating their integration into Icelandic society. Once protection is granted and a residence permit is issued, beneficiaries must register with municipal social services in accordance with the Municipalities’ Social Services Amended Act, which obliges municipalities to provide appropriate housing, financial assistance, and social support (Article 12).

Specialised counsellors of the Directorate of Labour offer personalised advise, and assist beneficiaries of international protection in seeking employment, social education and attending Icelandic courses. While Iceland does not legally bound for compulsory participation of beneficiaries of international protection in integration programs is encouraged.

Municipalities support newly settled refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection to attend Icelandic language courses and offer cultural orientation, and job counselling as part of their individual integration plan. These activities are offered free of charge for the beneficiaries and are provided by municipalities in cooperation with adult education centres, NGOs, and the Directorate of Labour.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection: Same as refugees

Refugees:

A residence permit based on international protection allows for family reunification, but different rules apply depending on when the family ties were formed.

Before granting protection, an applicant can reunite with:

• A spouse or partner (married or living together before you received protection in Iceland).
• Children under 18 who were born before you received protection.
• Parents who are 67 years or older.

After granting protection a beneficiary can reunite with: A spouse or partner (married or living together after you received protection).

• Children under 18 who were born after you received protection.
• To reunite with a spouse after protection, you must have lived or worked in Iceland for four years.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

A residence permit based on subsidiary protection does not grant the right to family reunification until it has been renewed once.

An exception can be made if:

• There are urgent care needs or compelling fairness reasons, or
• The beneficiary has held a permit for one year, worked in Iceland for eight months, meet the financial requirements, know Icelandic, and have housing for family members.

Family reunification before renewal. With a renewed permit, a beneficiary can reunite with:

• A spouse or partner (married or cohabiting before you received subsidiary protection).
• Children under 18 who were born before you received subsidiary protection.
• Parents who are 67 years or older.

Family reunification after renewal: A beneficiary can reunite with:

• A spouse or partner (married or cohabiting after receiving subsidiary protection) but must have lived or worked in Iceland for four years.
• Children under 18 who were born after receiving subsidiary protection.