Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »
Iceland is a small country of 394,324 people with an employment rate far above the EU average: 85.8% of people aged 20–64 have a job (EU: 76.1%).
Unemployment is low, but it went up in 2025 – from 3.6% in 2024 to 4.5% (2022: 3.8%), still below the EU average of 6.0%. Youth unemployment is also low: 9.5% among people aged 15–24, compared with 15.2% in the EU.
Iceland is not in the EU, but it is part of the EEA. So as an EU/EEA citizen you do not need a work permit. Keep two things in mind: most Icelandic employers advertise jobs in Icelandic, and finding a flat is hard – demand for rentals is much higher than supply and rents are high.
Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.
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