Iceland digital nomad visa: requirements (2026)

Legal framework

Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) under the Aliens Act (Lög um útlendinga); the dedicated instrument is the Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers administered via island.is and work.iceland.is

Key points: digital nomad & residency in Iceland

1. 01Dedicated Remote-Work Visa (180 days)

   Non-EEA/EFTA nationals may apply for a Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers, permitting a stay of up to 180 days. The visa is non-renewable in-country and does not confer an Icelandic ID number or access to public services.

   work.iceland.is island.is

2. 02Income Threshold

   Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of ISK 1,000,000 (approx. €6,900 / $7,800 as of mid-2026) from remote work. Applicants accompanied by a spouse or cohabiting partner must show ISK 1,300,000 per month.

   work.iceland.is island.is

3. 03Eligibility & Schengen Exemption Requirement

   Applicants must be citizens of a country that is Schengen visa-exempt (EEA/EFTA nationals are excluded because they already have free movement). Work must be performed exclusively for employers or clients based outside Iceland.

   work.iceland.is island.is

4. 04EEA / EFTA Free Movement

   Citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA states (including the EU 27, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland) do not need a work permit or visa; they may live and work in Iceland indefinitely under the European Economic Area Agreement.

   work.iceland.is island.is

5. 05Standard Work-Based Residence Permits

   Non-EEA nationals seeking stays beyond 180 days must obtain an employer-sponsored work permit or a residence permit based on employment (specialised skills, labour-shortage categories). Self-employment/entrepreneur residence is possible but requires a demonstrably viable business and is not a streamlined digital-nomad pathway.

   island.is island.is

6. 06No Golden Visa / Residency-by-Investment

   Iceland does not operate any residency-by-investment or golden visa programme. There is no route to permanent residence through capital investment alone; standard immigration categories (employment, family, study) apply.

   island.is work.iceland.is

Sources

1. 1.work.iceland.is/working/long-term-visa-for-remote-workers/
2. 2.island.is/en/get-a-long-term-visa
3. 3.island.is/en/permit-based-on-work/requirements
4. 4.island.is/en/apply-for-a-work-permit
5. 5.island.is/en/o/directorate-of-immigration
6. 6.island.is/en/o/directorate-of-immigration/news/higher-amount-required-as-means-
7. 7.island.is/en/entry-requirements-to-iceland
8. 8.work.iceland.is/working/residence-permit/
9. 9.island.is/en/permit-based-on-work