Whistleblower Protection 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's first comprehensive whistleblower law (Act No. 40/2020) protects workers who report misconduct:
- Scope: Covers workers in both public and private sectors.
- What can be reported: Breaches of legal obligations and other reprehensible misconduct in the employer's operations.
- Public sector obligation: Employees of central/local government or undertakings 51%+ publicly owned have an obligation (not just authorisation) to report.
Reporting channels (in order):
- Internal — to a designated person within the organisation.
- External — to police, Parliamentary Ombudsman, Auditor-General, AOSH, or other appropriate authorities.
- Media — only when internal channels have been exhausted and the public interest outweighs employer interests.
When does it apply?
- You are an employee, contractor, or intern in Iceland.
- You have reasonable grounds for believing the information is correct.
- The disclosure must serve the public interest.
What to Do If You Witness Workplace Misconduct and Fear Retaliation in Iceland
- Document everything — keep copies of evidence, communications, and dates.
- Use your employer's internal reporting channel first if one exists.
- If internal reporting is not safe or effective, report to the relevant public authority.
- You are entitled to legal aid at the district court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court levels.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't go to the media first — media disclosure is only protected when internal and external channels have been exhausted.
- Don't disclose confidential information beyond what is necessary to support your report.
- Don't fear retaliation — you cannot be terminated, demoted, or subjected to adverse changes in working conditions for reporting in good faith.
Common Questions
Who is protected as a whistleblower in Iceland?
Act No. 40/2020 covers employees, contractors, and interns in both the public and private sectors. Workers can report breaches of legal obligations and other reprehensible misconduct in the employer's operations. Employees of central or local government and undertakings that are 51% or more publicly owned have an obligation — not just an option — to report misconduct they become aware of.
What are the correct whistleblowing channels in Iceland?
Use them in order. First, report internally to a designated person within your organisation. Second, if internal reporting is not safe or effective, report externally to police, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Auditor-General, AOSH, or another appropriate authority. Media disclosure is only protected when internal and external channels have been exhausted and the public interest outweighs employer interests.
What protections do I have if I report misconduct in Iceland?
You cannot be terminated, demoted, or subjected to adverse changes in working conditions for reporting in good faith. You must have reasonable grounds for believing the information is correct, and the disclosure must serve the public interest. You are also entitled to legal aid at the district court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court levels under Act No. 40/2020.
When does it apply — whistleblower protection?
You are an employee, contractor, or intern in Iceland.You have reasonable grounds for believing the information is correct.The disclosure must serve the public interest.
What should I do if I want to report misconduct at work but am afraid of retaliation in Iceland?
Document everything — keep copies of evidence, communications, and dates.Use your employer's internal reporting channel first if one exists.If internal reporting is not safe or effective, report to the relevant public authority.You are entitled to legal aid at the district court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court levels.
What should you NOT do — whistleblower protection?
Don't go to the media first — media disclosure is only protected when internal and external channels have been exhausted.Don't disclose confidential information beyond what is necessary to support your report.Don't fear retaliation — you cannot be terminated, demoted, or subjected to adverse changes in working conditions for reporting in good faith.