Temporary Protection - Iceland | DIP EUAA
PDF generated on 2026-03-01 22:13
Iceland is not bound by the Temporary Protection Directive.
Article 44 of the Act on Foreigners nr. 80/2016 | Útlendingalaga nr. 80/2016 includes provisions for "collective protection due mass flight situation," which was activated by Ministerial Decision on 4 March 2022. The pertinent provisions of the national legislation ensure temporary residence for persons displaced from Ukraine. Following the latest amendments of the Act on Foreigners nr. 139/2024 and nr. 220/2024, residence permits for beneficiaries of collective protection may be renewed or extended for up to five years from the date an applicant received the initial permit. According to the latest announcement of the Government of Iceland, residence permits for beneficiaries of collective protection are valid until 2 March 2027.
| Area | Competent national authority | Assistance to the competent authority (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Screening at the external border (if relevant) | Police | Lögreglan | Not applicable |
| Biometric data (if relevant) | Directorate of Immigration | Útlendingastofnun | Not applicable |
| Granting temporary protection | Directorate of Immigration | Útlendingastofnun | Not applicable |
| Issuing the residence permit | Directorate of Immigration | Útlendingastofnun | Not applicable |
| Providing accommodation | Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing |Félags- og húsnæðismálaráðuneyti (effective as from 1 March 2025) | Not applicable |
| Medical care | The Directorate of Health | Embætti landlæknis | Not applicable |
| Social welfare | Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing |Félags- og húsnæðismálaráðuneyti (effective as from 1 March 2025) | Not applicable |
According to Article 44 of the Foreign Nationals Act no. 80/2016, the following categories of persons are eligible for collective protection:
- Ukrainian citizens, who were living in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
- Foreign nationals and stateless persons who enjoyed international protection, subsidiary protection or were holders of residence permits for humanitarian reasons in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
The family members of those listed in categories 1 and 2 above, regardless of whether the family members in question could safely return to their country of origin.
According to Article 69, Chapter VIII of the Foreign Nationals Act 80/2016, family members are the following categories of people who are eligible to apply for temporary protection:
- Marital or cohabiting spouse, who was a part of the family in question on 24 February 2022.
- Children and stepchildren under 18 years of age.
- Other close relatives who are partially or wholly dependent on the individuals listed in categories 1 and 2 regarding eligible persons for temporary protection.
Collective protection also applies to those who fall into the above-mentioned groups but were in Iceland on 24 February 2022 and had unresolved cases with the government or were in Iceland based on a residence permit that cannot be extended.
According to the Articles 4 and 5 of the Border crossing regulation nr. 866/2017, [Reglugerð um för yfir landamæri nr. 866/2017] holders of a biometric passport can enter visa-free and stay in the country for a total of 90 days within the last 180 days.
In the absence of a biometric passport, displaced persons from Ukraine can enter with a visa obtained from one of the embassies and consulates issuing visitor's visa on behalf of Iceland, which can be found on this list.
If displaced persons from Ukraine arrive at the Icelandic border without a biometric passport, passport, visa, or other ID document, they will not be refused entry, and they can apply for protection.
Children of Ukrainian citizens and unaccompanied children under the age of 18, can enter Iceland without visa.
Security screening is regularly performed at the border upon arrival and include an examination of whether the conditions for entry are fulfilled and, where applicable, whether the documents presented demonstrate authorised stay. (Article 8, Border crossing regulation nr. 866/2017).
Health screening is not regularly performed when entering the country. Upon application for collective protection applicants will be requested undergo medical examinations.
Information platforms:
The Directorate of Immigration keeps updated on a regular basis an information webpage for displaced persons from Ukraine staying in Iceland. The information is available in Icelandic, English and Ukrainian.
The Directorate of Labour has made available a dedicated webpage called Multicultural Information Centre with relevant information. The information is available in Icelandic, English and Ukrainian and other linguistic versions. The platform offers live online chat and web meeting option with relevant representatives’- counsellors who provide information to applicants and beneficiaries.
The municipality of Reykjavik offers information through its webpage on topics related to welfare and support.
Hotlines/contact lines: Icelandic Multicultural Information Centre: +345 450 3090
Displaced persons from Ukraine can make an application for collective protection at Keflavik Airport on arrival, or at the reception centre or the nearest police stations if they are already in Iceland. Applications for collective protection can be made at the Keflavik Airport on arrival, to the reception centre for applicants for international protection at Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik, for applicants who reside already in the country and to the nearest police stations for persons who are outside the capital area.
Applications from displaced persons from Ukraine are usually processed on the same day of registration.
| Registration | Pre-registration: Displaced persons from Ukraine who wish apply for collective protection in Iceland can pre-register at a dedicate form available on government website for displaced persons from Ukraine. Registration: An application for collective protection can be made at the Keflavik Airport on arrival, Reception centre for applicants for international protection at Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik, already in the country. Nearest police stations for persons who are outside the capital area. The application must be submitted in person. The registration of an application is done by the Directorate of Immigration. Upon registration the applicant will be requested to record biometric data including photo and fingerprints. Applications for collective protection for displaced persons from Ukraine are usually processed on the same day of registration. The Directorate of Immigration then issues a decision to grant or reject collective protection. Documentation: To register an application the person concerned must fill in the application and provide the following documents: Passport (both biometric and non-biometric passport) National ID card from Ukraine Other documents, such as a birth certificate or expired passport An applicant for collective protection who previously enjoyed protection in Ukraine must present related documentation confirming a residence permit with information about the protection status along with the identification documents. In absence of identification documents the national authorities must conduct additional investigations to establish the identity of the applicant. Source: Directorate of Immigration, Information for Ukrainian citizens |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | A beneficiary of collective protection is granted residence permit for humanitarian reasons. The residence permit is valid for one year at a time and may be automatically extended for up to five years. According to the Directorate of Immigration, for the first five years collective protection does not form the basis of permanent residence permit. A residence permit (card) is issued by the Directorate of Immigration upon decision to grant collective protection to the applicant. Along with the residence permit, the beneficiary receives an Icelandic ID number (kennitala), which serves as the personal identifier of the beneficiary for social security and allocation of allowances. The permit also offers to the beneficiary the right to family reunification. A beneficiary can collect the residence permit from an indicated location provided by the Immigration Office or at the reception centre, where the person is accommodated. A beneficiary who resides outside the accommodation facility receives an SMS notification by the Directorate of Immigration about the status of the permit and the collection point. |
| Legal aid | Legal aid is not provided for applicant’s who fall under the scope of temporary protection. |
| Appeal | Decisions can be appealed to the immigration appeals board. |
| Exclusion | The national legislation does not specify grounds for exclusion related to collective protection. |
| Termination/Withdrawal | The national legislation does not specify grounds for termination or withdrawal of collective protection. |
Applicants and beneficiaries of collective protection have access accommodation in facilities used for applicants for international protection. Reception is managed by Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Labour with the support of the municipalities. Applicants for and beneficiaries of collective protection may also residence in private accommodation.
The Directorate of Immigration operates the Reception and Accommodation Centre for the initial reception of applicants for collective protection.
The Directorate of Labour is responsible for the reception and accommodation of applicants for temporary protection and their distribution in structures already available for international protection. Applicants for temporary protection are entitled to the same material reception conditions as the applicants for international protection including, food and other allowances, medical examinations, access to the labour market, provision of information, counselling and social welfare assistance.
Municipalities cooperate with the Directorate of Labour and the Housing and Construction Authority for the provision of special housing benefits for the accommodation of applicants and beneficiaries living in difficult financial or social circumstances.
Initial reception: Displaced persons from Ukraine who apply for collective protection, should go to the reception centre in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik to be allocated accommodation during initial reception. Additional information can be found here.
Accommodation: The Directorate of Immigration operates the Reception Centre in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik for both applicants of international and collective protection. Applicants for collective protection from Ukraine are allocated accommodation at the Reception Centre during the processing of application.
Applicants and beneficiaries for collective protection are entitled to material reception conditions in kind and in cash. These include: an Icelandic SIM card, food allowance (for applicants who have been allocated accommodation outside the Egilsgata reception centre), subsistence allowance, health services and medicines as well as a free public transportation card.
Capacity: Capacity is adjusted based on the number of applicant's each time.
Types of facilities: Reception and accommodation centre.
Provision for means to obtain housing: The government of Iceland has proposed a special housing benefits scheme in the form of monthly payments which, intended to assist those who rent residential premises, whether this is within the socially assisted housing system, in student residences or on the open rental market. The housing benefit is provided by the Housing and Construction Authority of Iceland. The municipalities provide special housing support in addition to the special housing benefits, to people living in difficult financial or social circumstances. Information is provided by the local municipality where each applicant and beneficiary of collective protection has registered the legal domicile.
Other types of accommodation: Information currently not available.
| Rights | Description |
|---|---|
| Access to the labour market | A person who is granted collective protection has the right to work without work permit. The Directorate of Labor offers counselling services to job seekers. Interested beneficiaries of collective protection can make an appointment for an interview with a consultant at the Directorate of Labor to get support with making a CV, applying for a job and other things related to the job search. Employers have registered jobs with the Directorate of Labor in which counsellors mediate to refugees. Requests for interviews can be made at a dedicated functional mailbox of the Directorate of Labour. |
| Access to medical care | Applicants for collective protection are entitled to necessary health services and medicines while their applications are processed. Applicants can schedule appointments with a doctor at the reception centre in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik. Applicants must undergo a medical examination soon after arriving in Iceland. The examination is based on the Act on Health Security and Communicable Diseases. The Directorate of Immigration books an appointment for a medical examination and informs the applicant about the place and time. Beneficiaries: A person who is granted collective protection has the right to access medical care under the same conditions as beneficiaries of international protection. |
| Social welfare assistance and means of subsistence | Subsistence allowance Beneficiaries of collective protection receive a payment card for food allowance (if they do not live in the Directorate's accommodation which provides food) and for general allowance. This can be received from the reception centre in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik. Food allowance is paid out weekly: Individuals receive ISK 8,000 per week. Couples receive ISK 13,000 per week. Children receive ISK 5,000 per week. The maximum payment for a family is ISK 28,000 per week. Allowance is paid weekly after a four-week stay: Adults receive ISK 2,700 per week. Children receive ISK 1,000 per week. |
| Education | Minors: Children of beneficiaries have the right to go to school and should be admitted to school within four weeks of applying for collective protection. Information on education and school enrolment including detailed instructions is available on the government website for Ukrainian citizens and the website of the Ministry of Education and Children. Before children can start school, it is necessary for them to undergo a medical examination. About 11 upper secondary schools provide special reception program for young people aged 16-20 fleeing Ukraine, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Children. Information leaflets about the programme are is available in Ukrainian and English Adults: Beneficiaries of collective protection can be enrolled at the academic programs of 7 available Universities. Tuition fees differ between higher education institutions and the amount depends on whether the institution is state or privately owned. Recognition of qualifications is offered by the ENIC/NARIC Institution of Iceland under a fast-track evaluation process. |
| Family reunification | The residence permit granted to displaced persons from Ukraine for collective protection provides the right to family reunification according to the national provisions applicable to other residence permits. |
| Other | Icelandic SIM Card: Beneficiaries will receive a SIM card at the reception centre for applicants for international protection. Additional information is available on the government website for Ukrainian citizens. Public transport: The Directorate of Immigration ensures that beneficiaries can use public transport for free to attend appointments related to their applications for international protection. Additional information is available on the government website for Ukrainian citizens. |
Information is currently not available.
Trafficking in human beings
The Ministry of Justice published guidelines on indicators of trafficking in human beings, highlighting that displaced people from Ukraine are more exposed to the risk of trafficking considering the current situation.
Victims of a war crime
The Police has launched campaign to collect information which be vital to the investigation to alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Displaced persons from Ukraine are requested to report if they possibly witnessed or been victims of any war crimes in Ukraine at any time from 24 February 2022. Reporting can be made online on a dedicated form available by the Police.
In April 2022 the Government of Iceland announced the adoption of a proposal by the Refugee Committee with regards to relocation of displaced persons from Ukraine and will receive a total number of 120 to 140 vulnerable people.
The initial response and actions of the government concern:
- Up to 100 persons who were displaced to Moldova from Ukraine will be welcomed in Iceland.
- Five to seven disabled children and their families will be welcomed in Iceland, after a call from the Polish government. It is estimated that the total number of people in this group is approximately 15-20 people.
- Ill and wounded persons and their close family members.
Requests are sent out for the reception of individuals in need of healthcare from a European database. It is specified each time what kind of health service is needed and thus it is possible to receive individuals in accordance with the capabilities of the health system at any given time.
A representative of the Ministry of Health together with a representative of the Civil Defence is monitoring requests and assess the health system's ability to respond to calls at any given time.
According to Article 44 of the Foreign Nationals Act, and subsequent amendments, an application for international protection concerning a foreign national who is granted collective protection, may be postponed for up to five years from the time the applicant receives the first residence permit under the collective protection.
Once the authorisation to grant collective protection has expired, or when five years have passed since the applicant first received a residence permit, the person concerned shall be informed that the application for international protection will only be processed if he/she expresses unequivocally that this is his/her wish, within a specified time limit.