More than 800 refugees from Ukraine have been granted work permits in Iceland since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Today, one year has passed since the invasion.

The first refugees from Ukraine arrived in Iceland as early as the end of February 2022 and in March of that year, well over 500 people fled from Ukraine to Iceland. Since then, on average, about 200 refugees from Ukraine have come to Iceland every month. The people receive a residence permit based on humanitarian considerations.

individuals aged 18-67 years. Based on the issued work permits, it can be assumed that approximately 42% of them are already employed. However, part of the group is relatively new to Iceland and it is necessary to take into account that it takes a certain amount of time to settle down and get your bearings before employment can begin.

Most of the work permits are issued for jobs in cleaning and laundry. After that, service workers in households and restaurants, workers in industry and fish processing, workers in construction and shops and vendors.

“We see that most people from Ukraine who come to us want to go to the labour market as soon as possible and work hard to find a job. Many of them are willing to take up most jobs, despite having a high level of education and work experience. People say they generally get a positive attitude in Iceland and feel welcome and secure,” says Gudlaug Hrönn Pétursdóttir, Head of the Department of Refugees at the Directorate of Labour. The department provides refugees with special services for job search.

“We also see that employers are positive and happy with their employees. They are hard at work, as they are with refugees who come from other countries,” Guðlaug adds.

At the Department of Refugees, people receive assistance in getting a job, as well as social education, Icelandic language instruction and other activities. In 2022, 395 individuals from Ukraine received social education from the Directorate of Labour and 419 received Icelandic language instruction.

The following is a discussion of refugees from Ukraine with Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Gudmundur Inga Guðbrandsson at Bifröst last spring.