Temporary protection: Iceland
🛰️ Varta monitors 5 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Foreign Nationals Act (Útlendingalög) No. 80/2016, Art. 44 — collective protection in case of mass flight; Icelandic government decision activating it for Ukraine (extended until 02.03.2027) • status valid until 02/03/2027
Steps
- 1
Enter Iceland
Ukrainian citizens enter visa-free (up to 90 days). You can apply for collective protection immediately at Keflavík airport upon arrival.
📍 Keflavík airport / border⏰ Apply within your legal stay💳 Free - 2
Apply for collective protection
Apply IN PERSON: at the reception centre at Egilsgata 3, Reykjavík (8:00–16:00 weekdays) or at the nearest police station outside the capital area. Online pre-registration via island.is is available and speeds up the process. According to UNHCR, in most cases the decision is made on the day of application.
📍 Egilsgata 3, Reykjavík / local police station⏰ As soon as possible after arrival💳 Free - 3
Undergo the medical examination
A medical examination is mandatory upon arrival. During processing you have access to necessary health services and medicines.
📍 As referred after registration⏰ Shortly after applying💳 Free - 4
Receive the permit and kennitala
The humanitarian permit is issued for 1 year at a time (renewable up to 5 years). You receive a kennitala — the Icelandic ID number required for work, school, banking and healthcare.
📍 Útlendingastofnun, Dalvegur 18, Kópavogur💳 Free - 5
Register with Vinnumálastofnun and enrol children in school
The Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) assists with accommodation, financial and food allowances and job search (flottamenn@vmst.is). For school and preschool contact your municipality — kennitala and an e-certificate are required.
📍 Vinnumálastofnun / municipality⏰ After receiving the permit💳 Free - 6
Extension for 2026–2027
Collective protection has been extended until 02.03.2027. Permits of persons legally residing in Iceland are extended AUTOMATICALLY — no new photo needed. You only need to collect the new card on time. If you cannot make it or urgently need the card for travel — email mot@utl.is.
📍 Útlendingastofnun⏰ Collect the card within the given timeframe💳 Free
Documents
Passport (biometric or non-biometric)
requiredNon-biometric passports are accepted. Passport holders keep their passports; other documents may be temporarily retained during processing.
Ukrainian national ID card
if availableAccepted as alternative proof of identity.
Birth certificate (children) or expired passport
if availableUsed to confirm identity if no other documents are available.
Proof of residence in Ukraine on 24.02.2022
requiredFor Ukrainian citizens the passport is usually sufficient. Persons with international/subsidiary protection or a permit in Ukraine — documentation of that status.
Documents proving family links
if availableSpouses, children under 18 and dependent relatives of covered persons qualify regardless of nationality.
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
In LATIN letters exactly as in your passport or ID card.
In DD.MM.YYYY format.
State type and number: passport (biometric or not), ID card or birth certificate.
Confirm you resided in Ukraine on that date (passport usually suffices for Ukrainian citizens). Persons with protection in Ukraine — attach the status document.
Add spouse, children under 18 and dependent relatives — even if they are not Ukrainian citizens.
❌ Trying to apply from abroad — you must be physically in Iceland ❌ Children without birth certificates ❌ Name spelling not matching the passport
Nothing to submit: permits of legal residents are extended automatically, no new photo needed.
Collect the new card within the specified timeframe at Útlendingastofnun.
Email mot@utl.is for an alternative arrangement.
Send your details and flight ticket to mot@utl.is.
❌ Not collecting the card on time ❌ Travelling without a valid permit card ❌ Waiting for a photo appointment — none is needed
No separate application — the number is assigned during permit processing.
Give the child’s kennitala to the municipality together with the e-certificate to enrol in school or preschool.
Give your kennitala to the employer — no separate work permit is needed.
With a kennitala you can open a bank account; newcomers receive a free Icelandic SIM card.
❌ Job hunting before the kennitala is assigned ❌ School enrolment without kennitala and e-certificate
Benefits
Food allowance (Directorate of Labour)
Collective protection beneficiaries in the reception system (without own income) served by the Directorate of Labour.
How to apply: Via Vinnumálastofnun after registration
Weekly cash allowance
Persons in the reception system after a 4-week stay.
How to apply: Via Vinnumálastofnun
Accommodation
Collective protection beneficiaries without their own housing.
How to apply: When applying / via the Directorate of Labour
Healthcare services
Applicants and holders of collective protection.
How to apply: Mandatory medical exam upon arrival; afterwards via the health system (heilsugaeslan)
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
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Where to apply
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration)
Police stations (outside the capital area)
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
The humanitarian permit based on collective protection is issued for a maximum of 5 years. Afterwards you may apply for a temporary residence permit leading to permanent residence — this is NOT automatic and requires a separate application. Parallel routes: permits based on work, study or family reunification under the general rules of the Foreign Nationals Act.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work permit
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Processed per national rules; often before entry.
🎓 Study — Iceland
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Processed per national rules; often before entry.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Iceland
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Processed per national rules; often before entry.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Iceland
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Processed per national rules; often before entry.
🏠 Permanent residence — Iceland
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Reception centre (Móttökumiðstöð)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
If your permit expires in 2026, you do not need to apply for an extension. Residence permits issued on the basis of collective protection are extended automatically for everyone registered as a resident in Iceland: by one year, but no longer than until 2 March 2027 — the date until which the Minister of Justice's decision on collective protection is valid. Photography for the extension is not required. If you have already booked a photography appointment, cancel it at noona.is. What you actually have to do. You will receive an SMS and/or an email stating where and when to collect your new residence permit card — you must collect the card within the stated time. If you cannot come to the stated address or at the stated time, write to mot@utl.is. If the card is not collected in time, this will be treated as notification of departure from the country, and you will be deregistered as a resident of Iceland. So keep your phone number, email address and registered address up to date: there will be no other notification. What the official page does not say. It does not cover permits that expire in 2027, and it does not say what happens after 2 March 2027. If that is your case, ask the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun, Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur) directly rather than relying on an automatic extension. Source: island.is, Directorate of Immigration — "Extension of residence permits" (the page has an official Ukrainian version). Source: https://island.is/en/humanitarian-permit-collective-protection/extension-of-residence-permits (checked 03.09.2026).
Is the permit extended automatically in 2026?
Yes. Collective protection has been extended until 02.03.2027, and permits of persons legally residing in Iceland are extended automatically — no new photo needed. You only need to collect the new card within the given timeframe. If you cannot make it, or need the card urgently for travel — email mot@utl.is (attach your ticket).
I have a non-biometric passport. Is that a problem?
No. Non-biometric passports are accepted for collective protection, as are the national ID card, a birth certificate or even an expired passport. Passport holders keep their passports during processing; other documents may be temporarily retained.
Can I work in Iceland?
Yes. The humanitarian permit based on collective protection entitles you to work WITHOUT a separate work permit. You need a kennitala for employment. The Directorate of Labour helps with job search: flottamenn@vmst.is.
Can I travel to Ukraine?
The law does not explicitly ban short trips, but collective protection is intended for people who cannot safely return. If you effectively re-settle in Ukraine, your status may be reviewed. Before travelling, check the consequences with Útlendingastofnun and make sure you hold a valid permit card to re-enter Iceland.
What happens after 5 years of protection?
Collective protection is granted for 1 year at a time, renewable up to 5 years. Afterwards you may apply for a temporary residence permit which can lead to permanent residence. This is not automatic — apply in advance to Útlendingastofnun.
- Ísland.is — Humanitarian permit on the basis of collective protection ✓
- Ísland.is — Information for Ukrainian citizens ✓
- Ísland.is — Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration) ✓
- UNHCR Iceland — Information for people fleeing Ukraine
- EUAA — Iceland extends temporary collective protection for Ukrainians until 2027
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.