Family Reunification and Sponsorship in Iceland
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. 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?
Iceland allows foreign nationals with a valid residence permit to bring their close family members to the country through family reunification. The sponsor must have held a residence permit for at least one year and have sufficient income and housing.
Eligible family members include your spouse (or registered partner), children under 18, and in some cases dependent parents over 67. The spouse must be at least 24 years old (a measure to prevent forced marriages).
The sponsor must demonstrate adequate housing (minimum 10 m² per family member) and sufficient financial resources to support the family without relying on social assistance. The income threshold is based on the Directorate of Immigration's published guidelines, typically equivalent to or above the minimum wage.
Spouses of Icelandic citizens can apply for a residence permit based on cohabitation or marriage. After 3 years of legal residence (and at least 3 years of marriage/cohabitation), they can apply for an independent residence permit.
The application fee for family reunification is ISK 15,000 per family member. Processing time is typically 3–6 months, but can be longer depending on the embassy's workload.
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.
- You are married to or in a registered partnership with an Icelandic citizen.
- You are a recognized 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 Sponsor a Family Member's Move to Iceland
- Submit the application through the Directorate of Immigration's online portal — include marriage certificate (or proof of cohabitation), birth certificates for children, and financial documentation.
- Provide proof of housing — a rental agreement or property deed showing adequate space for the family.
- Demonstrate sufficient income — submit recent pay slips, tax returns, or employment contract showing your ability to support the family.
- For refugees, apply for family reunification as soon as possible after receiving your protection status — expedited processing may apply.
- Have documents translated into Icelandic or English by a certified translator if they are in another language.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not bring family members to Iceland before the reunification application is approved — they need a valid residence permit.
- Do not rely on social assistance as your income source — the Directorate requires self-sufficient financial support.
- Do not submit untranslated documents — applications with documents in languages other than Icelandic or English will be delayed.
- Do not wait too long to apply as a refugee — delays can complicate the process significantly.
Common Questions
When does it apply — family reunification and sponsorship?
You have lived in Iceland for at least one year with a valid residence permit and want to bring your spouse or children.You are married to or in a registered partnership with an Icelandic citizen.You are a recognized 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 join me in Iceland through family reunification?
Submit the application through the Directorate of Immigration's online portal — include marriage certificate (or proof of cohabitation), birth certificates for children, and financial documentation.Provide proof of housing — a rental agreement or property deed showing adequate space for the family.Demonstrate sufficient income — submit recent pay slips, tax returns, or employment contract showing your ability to support the family.For refugees, apply for family reunification as soon as possible after receiving your protection status — expedited processing may apply.Have documents translated in...
What should you NOT do — family reunification and sponsorship?
Do not bring family members to Iceland before the reunification application is approved — they need a valid residence permit.Do not rely on social assistance as your income source — the Directorate requires self-sufficient financial support.Do not submit untranslated documents — applications with documents in languages other than Icelandic or English will be delayed.Do not wait too long to apply as a refugee — delays can complicate the process significantly.
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