Permanent residence for family members of EEA/EFTA citizens

Family members of EEA/EFTA citizens acquire the right to permanent residence after five years of continuous legal residence with a residence card for family members of EEA/EFTA citizens in Iceland.

Continuous residence

The following shall not be regarded as interruptions to continuous residence:

• stay abroad for less than six months in total per year,

• stay abroad for military service or

• stay for a maximum period of one year for compelling reasons, such as pregnancy, birth, serious illness, education or vocational training or employment abroad for which the person concerned has been seconded.

The right to permanent residence is cancelled if the person concerned resides outside of Iceland for a continuous period of more than two years.

Exceptions from the five year rule

Under exceptional circumstances the family member of an EEA/EFTA citizen may acquire the right to permanent residence, despite not having continuous residence for five years. This may apply if the EEA/EFTA citizen, from whom he/she derives the right to residence, has him-/herself acquired the right to permanent residence within five years, Art. 87 (3) of the Foreign Nationals Act or on the death of the EEA/EFTA citizen, Art. 87 (6).

Processing fee

The fee for the registration of the right to permanent residence is ISK 4 800.

Supporting documents

For the registration of the right to permanent residence you must submit an application for a residence card as well as a copy of your passport's personal information page and signature page.