Ísland.is
Information for Ukrainian citizens
Перегляньте цю сторінку українською мовою.
Ukrainian citizens and their family members are entitled to collective protection in Iceland.
If you intend to come to Iceland and apply for protection, please fill out the pre-registration form. This will speed up the process of registration.
If you do not find the answer to your question on this page, we suggest you use the online chat.
Report a war crime
Have you possibly witnessed or been a victim of any war crimes in Ukraine at any time from 24 February 2022? Your information could be vital to the investigation to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Entry to Iceland for Ukrainian citizens
Unfortunately, the Directorate of Immigration cannot answer questions regarding how to leave Ukraine.
All EU and Schengen countries bordering Ukraine are allowing entry to people fleeing war in Ukraine on humanitarian grounds regardless of whether they have a biometric passport.
Iceland is part of the Schengen area.
Once you enter a country that is part of this area, you can move, in principle without border checks, to other countries that are part of the Schengen area.
Individual Air carriers may have different rules on what documents are required for boarding. Icelandic authorities are not responsible for such rules, but you should be advised to make sure that your documents are in line with the boarding rules of your carrier before buying a ticket.
This information applies to entry into Iceland and does not include travel through other countries. You must check the rules that apply for border crossings for Ukrainian citizens in other countries you must go through on your way to Iceland. Unfortunately, Icelandic authorities cannot answer questions about rules outside Iceland’s borders.
If you are in a country that is not part of the Schengen area your documents will, as a general rule, be checked at the border crossing point where you enter the Schengen area.
If you are fleeing the situation in Ukraine and you have reached the Icelandic border and you don’t have a biometric passport, passport, visa, or other ID document, you will not be refused entry and you can apply for protection.
Collective protection - How to apply?
The Minister of Justice has decided to extend by one year the activation of Article 44 of the Foreign Nationals Act, on collective protection, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The extension is valid until 2 March 2024.
Here is the original announcement of the decision on the government's website.
You must be in Iceland to apply for protection.
Applications must be submitted in person.
You can apply at Keflavík Airport upon arrival in Iceland.
If you are already in Iceland, you can apply for protection in the reception center for applicants for international protection in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavík.
If you are outside the capital area, you can apply for protection at the nearest police station.
The reception centre for applicants for international protection is in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik.
Opening hours are between 8:00 and 16:00 on weekdays.
Ukrainian citizens, who resided in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
Individuals who enjoyed international protection, subsidiary protection or were holders of residence permits for humanitarian reasons in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Family members of those listed in items 1 and 2 above, regardless of whether the family members in question could safely return to their country of origin. Family members refers to:
Marital or cohabiting spouse, who was a part of the family in question on 24 February 2022.
Children and stepchildren under 18 years of age.
Other close relatives who are partially or wholly dependent on the individuals listed in items 1 and 2 above.
The same applies to those who fall into the above-mentioned groups but were in Iceland on 24 February 2022 and had unresolved cases with the government or were here on the basis of a residence permit that cannot be extended.
For you to be granted collective protection, Icelandic authorities must know who you are. To prove your identity, you can for example provide one of the following documents:
Your passport (both biometric and non-biometric passport)
National ID card from Ukraine
Other documents, such as a birth certificate or expired passport
If you do not have any identity documents, authorities must conduct additional investigations to establish your identity.
If you have protection in Ukraine, you must show documentation confirming that you have a residence permit based on protection or humanitarian reasons there, in addition to identifying yourself.
People granted collective protection receive a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.
With the permit you will be issued an Icelandic ID number.
The permit entails the right to family reunification according to the usual rules.
No, you do not need to hand in your passport.
Services for applicants for protection
Applicants for protection are entitled to the following services from the Directorate of Labour during the processing of their application. After you have received protection you are no longer an applicant for protection.
Icelandic SIM card
You will receive the card at the reception centre for applicants for international protection.
When you have been granted protection and have received your residence card, you need to go to the telephone company and have your name and ID number registered in connection with the telephone number. After doing that you can go to the nearest bank and apply for an electronic ID (rafræn skilríki). Don't forget to bring your passport.
Accommodation
You need to go to the reception centre to be allocated accommodation.
Food allowance
You need to go to the reception centre to get a payment card for food allowance.
If the accommodation that the Directorate of Labour has allocated to you has food included, you are not entitled to food allowance.
You are entitled to food allowance if you do not live in the Directorate’s accommodation.
Food allowance is paid out weekly.
Individuals receive ISK 8,000 per week.
Couples receive ISK 13,000 per week.
Children receive ISK 5,000 per week.
The maximum payment for a family is ISK 28,000 per week.
Allowance
You need to go to the reception centre to get a payment card for allowance
Allowance is paid weekly after a four-week stay.
Adults receive ISK 2,700 per week.
Children receive ISK 1,000 per week.
Health service
Applicants for international protection are entitled to necessary health services and medicines that are necessary for them while their applications are being processed by authorities.
You should go to the reception center in Egilsgata 3 in Reykjavik to request a doctor's appointment. In the case of an emergency, please contact the emergency ward.
Applicants must undergo a medical examination as soon as possible after arriving in Iceland. The examination is based on the Act on Health Security and Communicable Diseases. The Directorate of Immigration will make an appointment for a medical examination and let you know when and where you should show up.
Public transport
The Directorate of Labour ensures that applicants can use public transport for free to attend appointments related to their applications for international protection.
If you have applied for protection and not yet received a payment card or SIM card, please contact the social services in the municipality where you are staying.
The staff of the social services will contact the Directorate of Immigration on your behalf. They will receive the cards and hand them over to you.
Collective protection - What rights are entailed?
Every person who lives in Iceland is registered at Registers Iceland and has a national ID number (kennitala), which is a unique, ten-digit number. Your national ID number is your personal identifier and is used widely throughout Icelandic society.
You obtain your ID number as part of your residence permit through the Directorate of Immigration. The number is printed on your residence permit card.
Your residence permit card is produced for you after the Directorate of Immigration has decided to grant you a residence permit. Before we can order the card for you, you need to be photographed and provide your fingerprints.
Residence permit cards are distributed from Hotel Hraun. If possible, the card will be delivered to your housing facility. If this is not possible, for example if you do not live in a housing facility provided by the Directorate of Immigration, you will receive a text message stating that the card is ready and can be collected at Hotel Hraun.
People granted collective protection receive a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.
The permit is granted for one year at a time, for up to three years.
For the first three years, collective protection does not form the basis for permanent residence.
After those three years you may obtain a temporary residence permit that forms the basis for permanent residence permit.
A humanitarian permit entails the right to work in Iceland without a work permit.
You can make an appointment for an interview with a consultant at the Directorate of Labor to get help with making a CV, applying for a job and other things related to the job search. Employers have registered jobs with the Directorate of Labor in which counselors mediate to refugees. You can request an interview at: flottamenn@vmst.is.
Counselors at the Directorate of Labour also provide information on Icelandic language courses and / or courses in community education. If you want to enroll in a community education course, you can do so at landneminn.is.
In the capital area you can register for an Icelandic course with one of the schools below, registration is directly with the school. It is important to inform the school that you are in service with the Directorate of Labour as a refugee.
In rural areas you can attend distance learning courses or register for courses at an educational center in the area in consultation with the area's service offices.
You are not expected to pay for the courses yourself.
Selected schools
Múltíkúltí Barónsstígur 3, 101 Reykjavík
RETOR Hlíðasmári 8, 201 Kópavogur
THE TIN CAN FACTORY Borgartún 1, 105 Reykjavík
MÍMIR Höfðabakka 9, 110 Reykjavík
Citizens from Ukraine get a permit to stay in Iceland on humanitarian grounds which entails the right to work without a work permit. Foreign nationals who are exempt from requiring a work permit in Iceland are permitted to work as a self-employed individuals, should they so choose.
For further information visit the website of the Directorate of Labour.
Residence and work permits
Yes. An application for a residence permit must be filled out and signed by the applicant. Furthermore, the original application must be sent to the Directorate.
You do not have to do anything. When a decision has been made you will immediately be informed and guided towards next steps.
Yes. As long as the duty to return to Ukraine is suspended, we will process your application for a residence permit if you apply from Iceland, no matter what type of permit you apply for.
If you have a residence permit in another safe country that you can return to, we may deny you to apply for a residence permit from Iceland, if you do not belong to the groups that usually have the right to apply from Iceland.
The requirements for getting a residence permit in Iceland have not been changed.
No. The duty to return has been suspended for Ukrainian citizens until further notice. This means that Ukrainian citizens can stay in Iceland without facing any consequences until further information is given.
School enrollment of children from Ukraine
To apply for preschool you usually need an e-certificate (electronic identification).
Caretakers (parents) of children from Ukraine who apply for a residence permit will receive a SIM-card from the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) for their Mobile phone.
Once the Directorate has issued a residence permit, the caretakers will receive a residence permit card with an Icelandic ID number ("kennitala").
Caretakers take their phone and ID number to their phone company to get their name and ID number connected to their phone number. They can then apply for an e-certificate in the following locations. You need to bring your phone and ID number when you apply for an e-certificate, as well as your passport or driving license.
To enroll your child into preschool, you need to fill out an application on your municipality's website. In most cases, your child will go on a waiting list until the preschool has a vacancy. Entry into preschool is by age (older children enter first).
Contact your municipality if you need help, information on fees or on progress.
Caretakers need to have their child examined by a doctor before enrolling in preschool.
The municipality will send confirmation with further instructions once the child is accepted into preschool.
To apply for primary or lower secondary school you usually need an e-certificate (electronic identification).
Caretakers (parents) of children from Ukraine who apply for a residence permit will receive a SIM-card from the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) for their Mobile phone.
Once the Directorate has issued a residence permit, the caretakers will receive a residence permit card with an Icelandic ID number ("kennitala").
Caretakers take their phone and ID number to their phone company to get their name and ID number connected to their phone number. They can then apply for an e-certificate in the following locations. You need to bring your phone and ID number when you apply for an e-certificate, as well as your passport or driving license.
To enroll your child into primary or lower secondary school, you need to fill out an application on your municipality's website.
Contact your municipality if you need help or if you have not received a response to your application within two weeks.
Caretakers need to have their child examined by a doctor before enrolling in primary or lower secondary school.
The municipality will send confirmation with further instructions once the child is accepted into primary or lower secondary school.
Those who have completed lower secondary school or reached the age of 16 have the right to enroll in upper secondary school.
Students need a medical examination by a doctor to start upper secondary school.
Eleven upper secondary schools have special procedures in place for receiving students from Ukraine. Caretakers (parents) find the school closest to them and contact the school's contact person who provides further instructions. Here are the eleven schools and their contact person:
Reykjavík and surroundings
Borgarholtsskóli (BHS) is in the Reykjavík suburb of Grafarvogur. It is a modern, progressive and technologically advanced school with approximately 1200 students and a broad curriculum. The curriculum includes academic education, automotive industrial arts, a performance sport scheme, social services programs, arts program, industrial metal works, a special study program for students with disabilities and a program for those that do not meet the criteria for other programs. It is a day school that offers blended learning.
Contact: Þórdís Ólafsdóttir
thordis.olafsdottir@borgo.is
Tel.: 535 1700
Fjölbrautaskólinn við Ármúla (FÁ) is located in Armúli in Reykjavík. The school offers a broad curriculum in both day school and distance learning. It specializes in health care subjects but also offers a special study program for students with disabilities and those that do not meet the criteria for other programs. The school meets the needs of students that do not speak Icelandic. 10-15% of students come from abroad. Around 850 students are in day school and 1100 in distance learning.
Contact: Kristen Mary Swenson
kristen@fa.is
Tel.: 525 8800
Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð (MH) is located in Hamrahlíð in Reykjavík and hosts around 1100 students. It is ideally located with regard to public transportation. The school offers a progressive academic education, a dance program and a special study program for students with disabilities. It also offers an IB program (International Baccalaureate), taught in English. Classes are taught on-site only.
Contact: Guðmundur Arnlaugsson
gud@mh.is
Tel.: 595 5200
Southwest Iceland (Suðurnes)
Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurnesja (FS) is located in Reykjanesbær and hosts around 900 students. The school offers a broad curriculum including both academic and vocational education, a special study program for students with disabilities and a program for foreign students. Students can study sciences, social studies, economics, fine arts, clothing production, sports, computer science, building and construction, electrical technology, engine practice, hairdressing and more. The school also offers a program for those that do not meet the criteria for other programs.
Contact: Ægir Karl Ægisson
aegir.aegisson@fss.is
Tel.: 421 3100
West Iceland
Fjölbrautaskóli Vesturlands á Akranesi (FVA) is located in Akranes (appoximately 45 minutes from Reykjavík) and hosts around 500 students. The school offers a broad curriculum of academic and vocational education including performance sports, a special study program for students with disabilities, carpentry, practical engineering, electrical engineering, practical nursing and social assistance. The school has a good cafeteria and a dormitory with 30 bedrooms for two.
Contact: Steinunn Inga Óttarsdóttir, headmaster
steinunn@fva.is
Tel.: 433 2500
Menntaskóli Borgarfjarðar (MB) is located in Borgarnes and hosts around 150 students. The school offers a conventional academic education as well as a vocational line. The school has an active social life, and students and faculty are quite close.
Contact: Bragi Þór Svavarsson
bragi@menntaborg.is
Tel.: 844 4259
Westfjords
Menntaskólinn á Ísafirði (MÍ) is located in Ísafjörður and has 500 students. The school offers a wide array of options including a special study program for students with disabilities, hairdressing and cosmetology, performance sports, industrial metal works, electronics, carpentry, arts and innovation, practical nursing, steel making and engine practice. The school has a good cafeteria and dormitory and rich social life.
Contact: Heiðrún Tryggvadóttir
heidrun@fvi.is
Tel.: 450 4400
North Iceland
Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri (VMA) is located in Akureyri and has over 1000 students. The school offers a broad curriculum with both academic and vocational education. Programs include practical nursing, electronics, carpentry, food and nutritional sciences, engine practice and hairdressing. The school also offers a program for those that do not meet the criteria for other programs as well as special programs on an individual basis. The social life at the school is active and so is its international collaboration that students readily get to participate in. A competent team of counsellors and teachers, along with a nurse and psychologist, monitor the students‘ wellbeing. The school also offers a dormitory.
Contact: Helga Júlíusdóttir
helgajul@vma.is
Tel.: 464 0300
East Iceland
Verkmenntaskóli Austurlands (VA) is located in Neskaupstaður. The school puts emphasis on diverse education where students' interests and talents can develop. The school offers vocational education such as programs for electricians, mechanics and carpenters, as well as academic education. A special study program for students with disabilities is also offered. The school has around 370 students and a dormitory.
Contact: Hafliði Hinriksson
haflidi@va.is
Tel.: 477 1620
South Iceland
Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands (FSU) is located in Selfoss and hosts around 800 students. The school offers conventional academic education and various vocational programs such as woodworking, metallurgy, electronics, hairdressing, practical nursing and horsemanship. It also offers a special study program for students with disabilities. The school puts emphasis on sports and sport academies can be integrated into the school's programs. The school has an active social life and a dormitory.
Contact: Sigþrúður Harðardóttir
sissa@fsu.is
Tel.: 480 8100
Framhaldsskólinn í Vestmannaeyjum (FÍV) is located in the Westman Islands. The school is a comprehensive college which offers vocational as well as general education as a preparation for academic studies. Vocational programs include electronics, metal and engine technology, engine practice and practical nursing. The school offers a special study program for students with disabilities. Sport academies can be integrated into the school's programs. The school has approximately 200 students.
Contact: Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir
ingibjorg@fiv.is
Tel.: 488 1070
Higher Education in Iceland - Information for Ukrainian refugee students
There are seven higher education institutions in Iceland, listed below. The Icelandic academic year traditionally runs from September to May and is divided into two semesters autumn and spring. Generally, the autumn semester is from the beginning of September until late December, and the spring semester from the start of January until the end of May, although some disciplines may vary.
Tuition fees differ between higher education institutions and the amount depends on whether the institution is state or privately owned. Public universities do not have tuition fees although they have an annual registration or administration fee which all students must pay. That fee is set by law.
The term higher education applies equally to traditional universities that carry out teaching and research in various scientific fields, as well as to specialized higher education institutions and to educational institutions without research obligations.
Iceland is part of the European Higher Education Area that has as its main goal to increase staff and student mobility and to facilitate employability. The countries that form the area agree to and adopt reforms on higher education on the basis of common key values – such as freedom of expression, autonomy for institutions, independent student unions, academic freedom, and free movement of student and staff.
European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process (ehea.info)
Study in Iceland
The University of Bifröst is a private education institution founded out of the co-operative movement in 1918, achieving university status in 1988. It specialises in law, politics, business and management, as well as offering foundation level courses for those who don’t meet the full requirements for university study in Iceland.
Iceland University of the Arts is a private institution that provides higher education in the fine arts, theatre, theatre and performance making, dance, music, design, architecture and art education. IUA offers degrees at the Bachelor's and Master's level.
Listaháskóli Íslands | (lhi.is)
Tuition fees | Listaháskóli Íslands (lhi.is)
Reykjavik University offers degrees at the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral level. Undergraduate degrees are primarily taught in Icelandic, however there are some English courses available for visiting exchange students and those wishing to do some studies in English. Both master's degree programmes and doctoral degree programmes are offered in English.
Reykjavik University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes, taught in seven departments: Business, Computer Science, Sports Science, Psychology, Applied Engineering, Engineering, and Law.
Reykjavik University (ru.is)
Tuition fees | Reykjavik University (ru.is)
The Agricultural University of Iceland is a public education and research institution specializing in agriculture and environmental science. It offers BA degrees in Agricultural Sciences, Equine Sciences, Nature and Environmental Sciences, Landscape Planning and Architecture, and Forestry Science, Restoration Ecology and Management. It also offers a range of post-graduate degrees in these areas, including PhDs. The university is based in Hvanneyri in western Iceland and has about 300 students.
Courses offered in English during autumn semester
Icelandic Nature and Environmental Issues at the Arctic Edge /12 ECTS, Recommended for all exchange students!
Icelandic culture and language (01.90.01)/2 ECTS (For all exchange students)
Research Methodology and Scientific Writing (07.07.03)/ 6 ECTS MSc course, but open for 3rd year BSc students
Arctic Circle (07.36.01)/2 ECTS
Environmental Planning V - Site Planning, Proposals and Procedures (05.68.06)/ 12 ECTS
Ecosystem Ecology and Sustainable Management (07.85.03) / 6 ECTS MSc level, but open for 3rd year BSc students
Grazing ecology and management (05.76.03)/ 6 ECTS
Computer Aided Design I (03.65.02)/ 4 ETCS
Visual Art II (03.54.02) / 4 ECTS
Drawing and Modelling (04.64.02)/ 4 ECTS
Course offered in English or Icelandic/English during spring semester
Sustainable development (06.40.02)/ 4 ECTS
SUBARCTIC SOIL BIOLOGY AND LATERAL TRANSPORTS (08.34.03)/6 ECTS
Communication, knowledge and extension (05.85.02)/ 4 ECTS
Ethics and Philosophy of Science (07.0603)/6 ECTS (Univ. of Iceland)
Arctic Planning & Environmental Changes /2 ECTS (MSc)
Urban Planning and Design (08.61.02)/4 ECTS (MSc)
Arctic Forum (08.31.03) /5 ECTS
In addition, an international and fully English taught MSc program “Environmental Changes at Higher Latitudes EnChiL” is offered in cooperation with University of Helsinki and Lund University (www.enchil.net)
UGLA - Course Catalogue 2022-2023 > Programmes and Courses (lbhi.is)
Hólar University is a highly specialised public university offering programs rooted in a former agriculture college, which aimed to offer education of support for rural communities. The university has evolved as a centre for education and research in three specialised and quite different fields:
Aquaculture, fish biology and aquatic ecology.
Equine science, riding and riding teaching.
Tourism studies, events and hospitality management.
The university´s main campus is situated at Hólar in Hjaltadalur, a valley in mid North Iceland with a community of 100- 150 individuals.
The University of Akureyri is located in Akureyri, Iceland’s capital of the north. The University of Akureyri has been providing higher education since 1987 and offers a wide range of study both on undergraduate and graduate level which is divided into three schools; Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Business and Science. The university also specialises in arctic studies, notably a master programmes in Polar Law, and qualifications in West Nordic Studies. Foreign students will experience a friendly and personalised study environment at the University of Akureyri.
Icelandic is the language of instruction in most of the courses at the university but a number of courses are offered in English for exchange students. All the courses in the Polar Law programme are taught in English and is the only full-time programme taught in English at the University of Akureyri. The University of Akureyri offers four courses every academic year that aim to introduce the Icelandic language, community and nature for international students at the university.
The University of Iceland is a progressive educational and scientific institution, renowned in the global scientific community for its research. It is a state university, situated in the heart of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. University of Iceland offers opportunities for study and research in over 400 programmes spanning most fields of science and scholarship. The University of Iceland collaborates with major stakeholders of society, promotes Icelandic culture and history, prioritizes sustainability and diversity, and places a strong emphasis on international collaboration in education and research.
The main language of instruction at the University of Iceland is Icelandic, but several study programs, particularly Master's degrees, are taught in English. It also offers a program in Icelandic as a second language, including a full BA program and a one-year practical diploma.
The University | University of Iceland (hi.is)
FAQ for Ukranian students | University of Iceland (hi.is)
ENIC/NARIC Iceland provides individuals, universities, employers, unions, institutions and other stakeholders with reliable and detailed information regarding diplomas, educational systems and assessment procedures in accordance with the assessment tools developed by the ENIC and NARIC networks.
Ukraine - ENICNARIC Iceland
refugees - ENICNARIC Iceland
Student Refugees is a project assisting refugees and asylum seekers in accessing higher education programmes in Iceland. The project is based on the idea that education is a human right in itself and should be accessible for everyone.
Therefore, the platform Student Refugees seeks to provide all the relevant information about how to fulfil requirements and apply for a higher education in Iceland. Moreover, Student Refugees provides information on overcoming common obstacles that refugees and asylum seekers run into when trying to access higher education.
The National Union of Icelandic Students, abbreviated LÍS (Landssamtök íslenskra stúdenta), was founded in 2013 as the umbrella organisation for all student unions at universities in Iceland as well as the association of Icelandic students studying abroad. LÍS is the largest organisation for students in higher education in Iceland. The union has eight member unions and through these, LÍS represents approximately 21.000 students. The Union represents students from the University of Akureyri, Bifröst University, the University of Iceland, Hólar University, Reykjavík University, Agricultural University of Iceland, Icelandic University of the Arts, and SÍNE (the association of Icelandic students studying abroad). The members fight for student rights at the local level, whereas LÍS works for the students at a national level.
The Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) is an organisation which supports research, innovation, education and culture in Iceland. Please note that RANNIS is not a university.
Rannís -The Icelandic Centre for Research | The Icelandic Centre for Research (rannis.is)
The Icelandic government with other members of the Bologna Follow-Up Group who create common European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has decided to respond to the current developments in Ukraine and has joined the call for immediate and long-term help to Ukraine students, academic staff and refugees. In the spirit of protecting democratic values, which form an integral part of the idea of the Bologna Process, The signatories ask all members and consultative members of EHEA to cease contact and cooperation in the higher education area with central government agency of Russia or other countries that actively support the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time it expresses the support and appreciate courage those members of Russian civil society who taking a public stance against the war in Ukraine.
English version of the Statement:
EHEA BFUG statement on Ukraine 10 03 22.pdf (stjornarradid.is)
Government of Iceland | Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation