As a general rule, you must have resided in Iceland on a residence permit that can be the basis of a permanent residence permit for 4 years continuously before you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Exemptions apply in the following cases

• The spouse of an Icelandic citizen may apply for a permanent residence permit after three years on a residence permit as a spouse.

• The child of an Icelandic citizen may apply for a permanent residence permit after holding a residence permit for 2 consecutive years. The parent must have been an Icelandic citizen for 5 years.

• A foreign national who has completed a doctoral programme in Iceland and has held a residence permit on the basis of specialist knowledge for at least 3 years prior to submitting an application.

• A foreign national who has held a residence permit which may be the basis for a permanent residence permit for at least 2 years and who has previously resided in Iceland on a continuous residence permit for studies, so that the total stay is at least 4 years.