Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Obtaining a passport in Iceland is a must for any Icelandic citizen who wishes to travel outside the Nordic area, but also, more broadly, the logical culmination of the journey for those who acquire Icelandic nationality. Behind a rather well-oiled procedure lie very specific rules, deadlines to anticipate, and a few administrative pitfalls that are best known before starting.
This guide details the complete procedure for obtaining Icelandic citizenship. It explains how to submit an application in Iceland, the specific steps for children, and the procedure to follow from abroad. It also specifies the rules applicable to foreigners wishing to one day acquire the Icelandic passport, as well as the costs and timelines to expect. The goal is to assist you in planning your process, whether you are already a resident or in the process of naturalization.
Understanding the General Functioning of the Icelandic Passport
The Icelandic passport is a biometric document produced by Þjóðskrá Íslands, the national registry (Registers Iceland), in Reykjavik. Local services are provided by the Sýslumenn, i.e., the District Commissioners, spread throughout the country. Abroad, Icelandic embassies take over, with honorary consuls limited to emergency passports.
Issuing a passport strictly requires two steps: a pre-application online via the Ísland.is portal, followed by an in-person appointment for photo taking and identity verification. Omitting either step prevents any issuance.
In terms of duration, the rule is simple: ten years of validity for adults, five years for minors. Since late 2015, it is no longer possible to extend an existing passport: upon expiration (or if pages are full, loss, theft), a new document must always be obtained.
Most “standard” applications are processed within four business days from the photo appointment. However, distribution times must be added, which vary depending on the place of residence or, for applications abroad, postal delivery time.
Procedures in Iceland for Adults
For an adult, residing in Iceland and aged 18 or older, it all starts on Ísland.is. Access requires an electronic ID (eID), widely used in the country for public and banking services.
Online Pre-application and Appointment Booking
The standard process is as follows: the adult logs into Ísland.is, initiates a new passport application for themselves (or for a dependent child), fills in the required information, and then pays the corresponding fees online. Once this step is validated, a 30-day window opens to appear before a District Commissioner to have a photo taken and complete the identification.
In the Reykjavik area, it is possible (and highly recommended during peak summer season) to book a time slot, while in most other district offices, simply showing up without an appointment is sufficient for the photo taking. In any case, the application only progresses once this appointment has taken place.
Special Case of Passports Still Valid for More Than Six Months
A detail that often surprises residents: if your current passport is still valid for more than six months, you cannot use the online pre-application procedure. In this specific case, you must go directly to the District Commissioner’s office to submit a “physical” application. The goal is to avoid excessively early renewals via the digital channel.
Identity Documents and Witnesses
During the photo appointment, the adult must present an official identity document: previous passport, driver’s license, or ID card. If the passport was lost or stolen, another document with a photo suffices. However, if the person has no official document, the law provides a witness mechanism: the individual must come with two adults who attest to their identity by filling out an individual verification form, themselves presenting a passport, ID card, driver’s license, or, failing that, a name certificate.
Photo Taking and Biometrics
For each application, a new photo is mandatory. The photo can be taken directly at the Commissioner’s office. Wait times may be longer in the Greater Reykjavik area during peak periods, but no photos brought on a USB key or sent by the user via email are accepted.
It is possible to use a photo taken in a studio, provided the photographer sends the file themselves by email to the relevant district office. Even in this case, the administration systematically takes a “comparison photo” on site.
For applications processed at an embassy (i.e., abroad), the biometric dimension is even more pronounced: photo, fingerprints of both index fingers from age 12, electronic signature from age 10. Icelandic passports are fully biometric.
Processing Times and Collection Methods
Once the photo is taken and the application is deemed complete, Registers Iceland has, in principle, a maximum of four business days to produce the document if the application is processed in Iceland. For applications submitted through embassies, production in Reykjavik typically takes around six business days, plus international shipping and postal delays, totaling two to three weeks.
Discover the four available solutions for collecting your passport during your stay in Iceland.
Pick up your passport directly at Keflavík International Airport, the country’s main entry point, upon your arrival.
Collect your document at a police station, particularly in Reykjavík, after having previously completed the necessary steps.
Have your passport delivered to your accommodation (hotel, rental) via a secure courier service.
Collect it from the diplomatic representation of your country in Iceland, for the most complex situations.
| Collection Location | Special Conditions | Indicative Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hagkaup, Skeifunni 15, 108 Reykjavik | Collection within 7 days, old passport expired or cancelled, no proxy possible | 24/7 |
| District Commissioner’s office that received the application | During opening hours | Varies by office |
| National Registry, Borgartún 21, 105 Reykjavik | Presentation of an ID | Business days, 10:00–15:00 |
| Embassy or consulate abroad | According to consular hours | Varies by post |
If the applicant is unable to come and collect their passport (except at Hagkaup), a third party can do so, provided they present their own ID and a letter of authorization signed by the holder. For a child’s passport, the parent or guardian must show their ID; the child does not need to be present; a third party also needs a written authorization and an ID.
Please note that if an issued passport is not collected within six months, it is canceled.
Cost of an Adult Passport
For an application submitted in Iceland, the rates are clearly established:
| Category | Type of Processing | Amount (ISK) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–66 years old | Standard processing | 19,000 |
| 18–66 years old | Express procedure | 39,200 |
| +66 years old or disabled persons | Standard processing | 7,000 |
| +66 years old or disabled persons | Express procedure | 14,000 |
Amounts may differ if the application is processed at an embassy, where payment is made by card and sometimes in foreign currencies, but the basis remains the same: more expensive for express, reduced rates for children, seniors, and certain vulnerable categories.
Passport for Children and Minors
For minors, the rules are stricter, with a major issue: the protection of the child and respect for custody rights. In Iceland, each child must have their own individual passport, and a minor’s passport is valid for five years from the date of application.
Consent of Parental Authority Holders
When custody is held by two people, double consent is mandatory. The application begins, again, on Ísland.is: one parent logs in with their electronic ID, pre-registers the application in the child’s name, and pays the fees. The other parent then has seven days to log in, via the “pending applications” section, and approve the file electronically. If this deadline is not met, the application expires and the fees are automatically refunded.
When only one parent holds custody, their signature alone is sufficient, as the situation is verified in the Icelandic registers.
Child’s Photo Appointment
The minor must appear in person for the photo within 30 days of the pre-application. Only one parent or guardian needs to accompany them, presenting their own ID. If another adult accompanies the child, that person must bring a written authorization.
For very young children or infants, the technical requirements (format, background, sharpness) remain the same. However, it is accepted that the baby’s eyes may not be perfectly open. The essential thing is that the face is fully visible, without any other person or object (like toys or supporting hands) in the frame.
Form V-901 and Cases Without Electronic ID
The online procedure assumes that each parent has an electronic ID. If this is not the case, or if the child’s passport still has more than six months of validity, a written authorization via form V‑901 becomes mandatory.
Several scenarios are provided: if both parents come together to the photo appointment, they can fill out and sign the V‑901 on site, presenting their ID. If one of them cannot be present, they must fill out the V‑901 in advance in the presence of two witnesses, who attest to their signature. The other parent then brings the form to the appointment.
Parents can now entirely delegate the process of recognizing their child to a third party. To do this, they must sign form V‑901 along with an accompanying document, in the presence of two witnesses. Once this delegation is formalized, the mandated third party is authorized to submit the administrative application and accompany the child throughout the procedure.
Cost and Validity of a Child’s Passport
For minors, the fees are reduced:
| Type of Application | Amount (ISK) |
|---|---|
| Child’s passport – standard processing | 7,000 |
| Child’s passport – express | 14,000 |
The validity period is five years, which justifies the lower fee and the fact that the child must regularly go through the renewal process as they grow.
Children Born Abroad and First Application
When a child is born outside Iceland to Icelandic parent(s), the prerequisite for any passport issuance is their registration in the Icelandic registers as a citizen, with the assignment of an identification number (kennitala). Only once this number is obtained can the family initiate a passport application.
An often overlooked point concerns the possible loss of citizenship: an Icelander born abroad who has never had a legal residence in Iceland may lose nationality at age 22, unless this would render them stateless. To avoid this, an application to retain nationality can be submitted before that age to the Directorate of Immigration.
Applying for a Passport from Abroad
The Icelandic diaspora and citizens temporarily abroad have a specific channel: embassies. Honorary consuls do not handle “ordinary” applications but may, in some cases, issue an emergency passport.
How Icelandic Embassies Work
The general principle is the same everywhere: mandatory appointment booking, physical presence of all applicants (including children) and parents or guardians for minors, biometric data collection on site, payment by card (no cash at several posts, including Paris and Beijing).
The embassy then enters the application into the Icelandic system. The passport is produced by Registers Iceland in Reykjavik, with an estimated processing time of six business days. In practice, expect two to three weeks between the appointment and receipt of the document, allowing for international mail.
| Step | Detail | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment at the embassy | Photo, fingerprints, signature, verification of supporting documents | 1 day |
| Production in Reykjavik | Biometric production by Registers Iceland | ~6 business days |
| Postal delivery | Shipping to the embassy or home | 1–2 weeks |
The applicant typically chooses between direct postal delivery (often possible if the old passport has been canceled or returned) and collection at the embassy or with a nearby consul.
Examples of Embassies and Procedures
Each post adapts its organization to local constraints. A few examples illustrate these differences:
The number of days per week when slots are reserved for applications at the Icelandic Embassy in Oslo.
– In Beijing, the embassy receives by appointment during the week, with payment exclusively by card as of a certain date. The rules for presence and supporting documents are comparable to other posts.
Embassies recommend booking an appointment well before your travel date to avoid needing to obtain an emergency passport.
Documents to Provide Abroad
For an Icelandic adult renewing their passport abroad, the following are generally required: a completed passport application form, a recent passport photo, proof of Icelandic citizenship, and a valid ID.
– the old passport, or failing that a valid Icelandic identity document (driver’s license, ID card) if the passport was lost or stolen;
– a card payment method to pay the fee;
– at some posts, proof of loss or theft if the previous document cannot be presented.
For a child, the requirements are more extensive: the child’s old passport if applicable, parents’ passports, a consent form signed by both parents, and a birth certificate showing the parents’ names for a first application. If only one parent can come in person, the consulate will require that the consent form was signed by both parents before witnesses prior to the appointment.
Emergency Passports: A Last Resort Solution
When time is short or a passport is lost just before a departure, the only option may be the emergency passport. This is much more limited than a regular biometric passport.
Conditions for Obtaining
Emergency passports are issued only in genuine emergencies, assessed on a case-by-case basis by the embassy or consul. In practice, it is often to allow an Icelandic citizen to return home or continue a trip when obtaining a regular passport would be impossible within the timeframe.
The application is generally made in writing, with a precise description of the situation, departure dates, destination, and duration of the trip. The applicant must explain why they cannot follow the ordinary procedure.
Abroad, particularly in some countries where there is only an honorary consul, the latter cannot receive regular passport applications but may issue an emergency passport when no other solution is feasible.
Limitations of the Emergency Passport
These documents are not biometric and are not accepted everywhere. Many countries require an electronic passport for entry or transit, and some airlines have strict policies. Before traveling with an emergency passport, Icelandic authorities recommend checking with the embassy or consulate of the destination country that the document will be accepted.
For children, the requirements regarding custody and consent remain identical to those for a regular passport: parents must prove their parental authority and give their consent.
Loss, Theft, Invalidation: What to Do If the Passport Disappears?
In Iceland as abroad, the basic rule is the same: any loss or theft of a passport must be reported immediately to the police, then reported to Registers Iceland or the competent embassy using a specific form. Once declared lost or stolen, the passport is permanently invalidated, even if found later.
Any replacement application requires the physical presence of the holder and adherence to the standard or emergency procedure. A simple reprint from the old file is not possible.
This strict invalidation aims to limit the risks of document fraud and identity theft, ensuring that each passport number is associated with a single, controlled document.
Traveling with an Icelandic Passport: Validity Rules
In practice, having the passport of the country in Iceland is not enough: it must also be recognized as “sufficiently valid” by the visited country. Requirements vary greatly depending on the destination.
Within the Schengen area and, more broadly, the European Economic Area (EEA), many countries require a passport (or national ID card) valid for at least three months beyond the intended end of stay. For EEA citizens, Iceland applies a more flexible rule for entry into its territory: it is sufficient that the travel document is still valid upon exit from the country.
For many countries outside the European Economic Area, the required passport validity is at least six months beyond the intended end of stay, sometimes more. It is strongly recommended to check the specific requirements of the destination country and any transit countries before traveling. Do not wait until the last minute to renew a passport whose expiration date is near.
Furthermore, the Nordic Passport Control Agreement allows citizens of Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland to travel between these countries without a passport, provided they can prove their identity and nationality (e.g., with a driver’s license). However, in practice, many airlines still require a valid passport, regardless of border police rules.
Passport for Foreigners Living in Iceland
The passport described so far is that of Icelandic citizens. For foreigners legally residing in Iceland but unable to obtain a travel document from their country of origin, there is a specific mechanism: a passport for foreigners, issued by the Directorate of Immigration.
Eligibility Conditions
This type of passport is reserved for special situations: the applicant must prove that they live legally in Iceland and that they cannot obtain a passport from their state of origin, or that they are stateless. Mere inconvenience or preference is not sufficient: authorities require, for example, an official letter from the embassy of the country concerned attesting to the impossibility of issuing a document.
The application does not go through the online platform Ísland.is. It must be submitted on a paper form, which can be sent by mail or physically delivered to the Directorate of Immigration in Kópavogur. Outside the capital region, it is also possible to submit the file to the District Commissioners (Sýslumenn).
Fees must be paid in advance by bank transfer: approximately 19,000 ISK for an adult aged 18 to 66, 7,000 ISK for children, the elderly, and disabled persons.
Investigation and Grounds for Refusal
The Directorate of Immigration verifies the identity and status of the applicant, potentially consulting the police and other authorities. The grant may be refused if identity is not sufficiently established, in case of an arrest warrant, serious criminal convictions, or considerations related to state security or foreign policy.
If the application is accepted, an invitation for a photo session is sent. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The document issued is not an Icelandic passport, but allows travel to several countries, subject to obtaining the required visas.
Becoming Icelandic to Access the Passport: Naturalization
For a foreigner dreaming of the passport of the country in Iceland, the first step is not the travel document itself, but the acquisition of Icelandic nationality. This can be obtained in several ways: by birth, descent, adoption, marriage, or naturalization. For an adult with no prior connection, naturalization serves as the entry point.
General Conditions for Naturalization
The typical scenario for a foreign applicant is as follows: legal residence in Iceland for at least seven continuous years, possession of a permanent residence permit, a clean criminal record, financial stability, knowledge of the Icelandic language, and good conduct. Stays abroad are regulated: no more than 90 days outside the territory per 12-month period within these seven years.
The Directorate of Immigration requires proof of regular income sufficient to live without recourse to social assistance. As an indication, a minimum monthly income of approximately 217,800 ISK is mentioned for a single person, and approximately 348,500 ISK for a married couple. Young students between 18 and 20 years old must demonstrate a monthly income of at least 108,900 ISK.
A certificate of passing an Icelandic language test, assessing oral comprehension and expression as well as reading and writing, is generally required. However, exemptions are provided for people over 65, certain young people, those with severe disabilities, or those who can justify their language level by other attested means.
Procedure and Cost of Naturalization
The citizenship application is made to the Directorate of Immigration, online, by mail, or in person. At a minimum, you must provide: a form, a copy of the passport, a criminal record extract, proof of income and health coverage, proof of payment of the application fee, and a passport photo.
Historically, the citizenship fee was around 27,000 ISK. A reform adopted by the Icelandic Parliament provided for a significant increase in fees: 60,000 ISK for an adult, 30,000 ISK for a child, with specific rates for citizenship notifications. These new amounts are part of a broader context of increasing fees for residence permits and permanent residence.
Processing times are long: approximately six months for the citizenship decision, sometimes longer for complex cases, to which must be added the years of residence required beforehand. Once the application is accepted, a naturalization certificate is sent to the applicant, who can then appear before a District Commissioner to finally apply for an Icelandic passport under ordinary conditions.
Accelerated Paths for Nordic Citizens
Nationals of other Nordic countries who acquired their citizenship at birth benefit from a faster process: they can obtain Icelandic citizenship by simple notification after three years of residence in Iceland. Other cases of Nordic citizens who acquired their nationality in another way may go through a specific procedure after four years of residence.
Once Icelandic citizenship is confirmed, the passport application must be made via the online platform Ísland.is, followed by booking an appointment for the mandatory passport photo.
Dual Nationality and Loss of Citizenship
Iceland accepts dual nationality: obtaining another passport does not, in itself, cause the loss of Icelandic citizenship, unless the country concerned prohibits it or requires renunciation. Conversely, an Icelandic national wishing to acquire the nationality of a state that does not allow dual citizenship must first apply to be released from Icelandic citizenship, providing proof that they will indeed obtain the new nationality in exchange.
Icelandic citizens who lost their nationality in the past due to accepting another citizenship have long been able to apply to recover it, under certain conditions. Furthermore, Article 12 of the Citizenship Act provides that an Icelander born abroad who has never legally resided in Iceland risks automatically losing their citizenship at age 22, unless they have, in the meantime, applied to retain it.
Practical Issues: Registration, Kennitala, and Integration
For newcomers to Iceland, everything begins with registering their residence (lögheimili) with Registers Iceland, an essential step to obtain a kennitala, the personal identification number. Without this number, it is impossible to open a bank account, work legally, register for health insurance, or submit an application for a residence permit or citizenship.
EEA citizens can stay without declaring their residence for 3 months (6 months for job seekers). Beyond that, they must fill out a specific form according to their situation (employee, student, etc.), provide supporting documents, and, in some cases, private health insurance for the first six months.
Processing of these registrations takes up to ten business days. Only once this administrative foundation is in place can the journey towards permanent residence, and then towards naturalization (and thus towards the passport of the country in Iceland), truly begin.
The Icelandic passport system appears, at first glance, simple: a digital pre-application, a photo appointment, four days of production, then collection or postal delivery. In reality, it is governed by a series of details that, if poorly anticipated, can delay a trip or complicate a settlement: the obligation of witnesses in the absence of documents, the 30-day deadline for the photo appointment, the need for double parental consent, the minimum validity required by destination countries, the impossibility of extending a passport beyond its expiration date.
For foreigners who hope one day to hold the passport of the country in Iceland, the road is even longer: continuous residence, financial stability, language test, clean criminal record, substantial application fees, and then, finally, access to the same Ísland.is system and the same district offices as citizens born Icelandic.
The key, in all cases, is anticipation. Checking the validity of your passport well before a trip, submitting a renewal application early enough, preparing consent forms for children in advance, keeping in mind the processing times for naturalization, or diligently preserving your kennitala and residence documents are all reflexes that allow you to fully enjoy the great freedom of movement that the passport of the country in Iceland offers once obtained.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
