Iceland

Country: Iceland

No statutory minimum wage – but pay and terms may never be lower than in the collective agreements, and you get at least 24 working days of holiday a year. 85.8% of people aged 20–64 have a job (EU: 76.1%) and unemployment is 4.5%. Find out where to look, how to register and get your ID number (kennitala), and how tax works.

Students from the EU/EEA can work in Iceland without any permit. If you stay longer than 3 months, register with Registers Iceland – students have their own registration category.

  • Student and holiday jobs are covered by the collective agreements like any other job – your pay and terms may not be lower.
  • Short jobs: if you work in Iceland for less than 6 months without registering legal domicile, you need a system ID number (kerfiskennitala) for tax purposes – Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) applies for it, usually at your employer’s request (form RSK 3.30). It gives you no residence rights.
  • Tax: tell your employer to use your personal tax credit (ISK 72,492 a month in 2026). With a small part-time income, it can cover all of your income tax.

Students from outside the EEA with a student residence permit may work without a work permit for up to 60% of full-time during their studies, and more during scheduled breaks between terms.

Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in Iceland – practical information.


published: 2014-09-03
last modification: 2026-10-03

Common questions about job applications and interviews

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.

StudentNews Group Websites for students and future students — in Poland since 2007, across Europe since 2014. Over 50 websites and millions of users a year (Google Analytics). Studies in Europe Universities in Europe Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate MBA Study guide Work abroad Travel For partners Advertising and cooperation Reach (online report) Contact advertising@studentnews.eu © 2003–2026 Grupa StudentNews.pl sp. z o.o., Modlnica, Poland
Privacy Policy