Non-EEA Family Reunification in Iceland (2026): the 1-year permit rule, income and housing (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Icelandic Acts of the Althingi, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Non-EEA sponsors who hold an Icelandic residence permit can bring close family members to Iceland by this route. Use this page if you (or the family member you want to bring) are a citizen from outside the EU/EFTA. If the sponsor is an EEA/EFTA/Nordic citizen — or you are a non-EEA family member of an EEA citizen — see the route for EEA family-member residence cards, which has a different application receiver, no income limit for EEA employees, and uses the E-200 form.
The sponsor must have held a valid Icelandic residence permit for at least one year before applying, and must show sufficient income and housing. Eligible family members are a spouse (or registered cohabitant), children under 18, and in some cases dependent parents over 67. Both the sponsor and the spouse must be at least 24 years old — a rule intended to prevent forced marriages.
Housing must meet a minimum of 10 m² per family member, and income must be enough to support the family without social assistance — the Directorate of Immigration publishes monthly reference amounts that are roughly equal to or higher than the minimum wage. Spouses of Icelandic citizens follow a similar route; after 3 years of legal residence plus 3 years of marriage/cohabitation, they can apply for an independent residence permit.
The application fee is ISK 15,000 per family member. Processing usually takes 3-6 months, sometimes longer depending on which embassy is involved.
Related: If you are an EEA/EFTA/Nordic citizen, or a non-EEA family member of one, the correct route is a residence card for EEA family members under Article 85 of Lög nr. 80/2016 — a different agency receiver, a different legal basis.
When does it apply?
- You have lived in Iceland for at least one year with a valid residence permit and want to bring your spouse or children to you.
- You are married or in a registered cohabitation with an Icelandic citizen.
- You are a recognised refugee in Iceland and want to reunite with your family.
- You are a dependent parent (over 67) of a foreign national living in Iceland.
What to do if you want to apply for family reunification to Iceland
- Submit the application through the Directorate of Immigration's online portal — add the marriage certificate (or proof of cohabitation), the children's birth certificates and financial documents.
- Provide proof of housing — a lease or title deed showing sufficient space for the family.
- Demonstrate sufficient income — submit recent payslips, tax returns or an employment contract showing your ability to support the family.
- For refugees, apply for family reunification as soon as possible after you are granted protection status — an expedited procedure may apply.
- Have documents translated into Icelandic or English by a certified translator if they are in another language.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't bring family members to Iceland before the reunification application is approved — they need a valid residence permit.
- Don't rely on social assistance as your income — the Directorate of Immigration requires independent financial support.
- Don't submit untranslated documents — applications with documents in languages other than Icelandic or English will be delayed.
- Don't wait too long to apply as a refugee — delays can significantly complicate the process.
About Immigration Pathways in Iceland
Icelandic immigration matters rest on Útlendingalög (the Foreign Nationals Act, Lög nr. 80/2016), administered by Útlendingastofnun (UTL, the Directorate of Immigration). EU/EEA and Swiss citizens enjoy free movement and register with Þjóðskrá Íslands (Registers Iceland) after 3 months. Nordic citizens need no registration for the first 6 months. Citizens from outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit before arrival, applied for online; work permits are granted alongside and require a job offer. Temporary permits run 1-2 years and are renewable, permanent residence is reached after 4 years, and citizenship after 7 years (5 for Nordic citizens, 4 for spouses of citizens).
Common Questions
Who can sponsor a family member to Iceland?
A foreign national with a valid residence permit who has lived in Iceland for at least 1 year, or the spouse or registered cohabitant of an Icelandic citizen. Eligible family members are spouses (minimum age 24, to prevent forced marriages), children under 18, and in some cases dependent parents over 67.
What income and housing do I need for Icelandic family reunification?
Adequate housing (a minimum of 10 m² per family member) and sufficient financial resources to support the family without relying on social assistance — usually equal to or higher than the minimum wage. The application fee is ISK 15,000 per family member, and processing takes 3-6 months. Any documents not in Icelandic must be translated into Icelandic or English by a certified translator.
Can refugees in Iceland bring their families faster?
An expedited procedure may apply to recognised refugees. Apply for family reunification as soon as possible after you are granted protection status — delays can significantly complicate the process. For spouses of Icelandic citizens, after 3 years of legal residence plus 3 years of marriage or cohabitation, you can apply for an independent residence permit.
What is the non-eea family reunification in iceland right in Iceland?
Non-EEA sponsors who hold an Icelandic residence permit can bring close family members to Iceland by this route. Use this page if you (or the family member you want to bring) are a citizen from outside the EU/EFTA. If the sponsor is an EEA/EFTA/Nordic citizen — or you are a non-EEA family member of an EEA citizen — see the route for EEA family-member residence cards, which has a different application receiver, no income limit for EEA employees, and uses the E-200 form.The sponsor must have held a valid Icelandic residence permit for at least one year before applying, and must show sufficient...
When does it apply — non-eea family reunification in iceland?
You have lived in Iceland for at least one year with a valid residence permit and want to bring your spouse or children to you.You are married or in a registered cohabitation with an Icelandic citizen.You are a recognised refugee in Iceland and want to reunite with your family.You are a dependent parent (over 67) of a foreign national living in Iceland.
What should I do to bring my spouse or children to me in Iceland through family reunification?
Submit the application through the Directorate of Immigration's online portal — add the marriage certificate (or proof of cohabitation), the children's birth certificates and financial documents.Provide proof of housing — a lease or title deed showing sufficient space for the family.Demonstrate sufficient income — submit recent payslips, tax returns or an employment contract showing your ability to support the family.For refugees, apply for family reunification as soon as possible after you are granted protection status — an expedited procedure may apply.Have documents translated into...
What should you NOT do — non-eea family reunification in iceland?
Don't bring family members to Iceland before the reunification application is approved — they need a valid residence permit.Don't rely on social assistance as your income — the Directorate of Immigration requires independent financial support.Don't submit untranslated documents — applications with documents in languages other than Icelandic or English will be delayed.Don't wait too long to apply as a refugee — delays can significantly complicate the process.