Directorate of Labour
The Directorate of Labour is responsible for payments of unemployment benefits and maternity and paternity leave, as well as collecting and disseminating information about the labour market, and providing advice and services to immigrants and asylum seekers.
Unemployment benefits
Those who are unemployed, and have a work history and legal residence in Iceland, may be entitled to monthly payments.
Right to unemployment benefits
While on unemployment benefits
Maternity and paternity leave
For parents who take leave from paid employment to care for a child.
Calculator for possible payments
News
Closures of the Directorate of Labour offices
There will be closures at the service offices of the Directorate of Labor in the coming days.
The unemployment rate in March was 4,2%
The unemployment rate in March was 4,2%, down from 4,3% in February. There were on average 8.509 unemployed persons in March 2025.