Social security and residence abroad

When a person moves abroad for work, the general rule is that they are covered by the social security system of the new country.

Overview

The social security system includes, for example:

• unemployment insurance fund,

• pension rights, such as old-age and disability pensions

• maternity and paternity funds,

• child benefits.

Special rules apply to health insurance and living abroad (in Icelandic).

Iceland has concluded agreements with a number of countries to ensure that a person does not lose their acquired rights when moving abroad.