Digital Iceland
Digital Iceland plays a key role in new strategy for public services
12th October 2026
For the first time, a comprehensive policy on public services in Iceland has been put forward. It has three objectives: better, more accessible and more cost-effective services for individuals and businesses. Digital Iceland has accountability for, or takes part in, numerous actions intended to bring services closer to these objectives between 2026 and 2029.
The policy builds, among other things, on the progress that has been made in digital services in recent years. The guiding principle is “digital first”, and Ísland.is is the government’s service portal. Emphasis is also placed on ensuring that in-person services remain accessible to those who wish or need to use them.
“The policy confirms what we have long been working towards: that public services should be simple, accessible and built around people, not systems. We look forward to working on it with agencies and municipalities across the country,” says Birna Íris Jónsdóttir, Director General of Digital Iceland.
Simpler communication with the public sector
Among Digital Iceland’s projects is increasing the number of agencies using the Ísland.is Service System. It gathers agencies’ requests and enquiries in one place and provides a clear overview of the services delivered. Work will also be carried out to reduce repeated provision of information, so that individuals and businesses are less often required to submit the same data more than once.
Proactive services will, in time, become a key theme in public services, meaning that services are provided without the user having to do anything. Digital Iceland will map out further opportunities for such services through Ísland.is, and work will also be done on cross-border digital services, such as enabling electronic ID to be used in other European countries.
Services that more people can use
Digital Iceland continues to work on making Ísland.is accessible to as many people as possible and will encourage more public entities to use Digital Iceland’s core services to improve accessibility and services, for example through AI assistance that can answer enquiries around the clock.
A better foundation for the services of the future
Digital Iceland supports agencies in renewing legacy information systems and is working towards more secure data sharing between them. Such work, together with more secure data sharing between agencies, can simplify processes and lay the groundwork for further development that increases automation and improves services.
The policy was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities and other ministries, following extensive consultation.
The full policy can be read on the Government of Iceland’s website.