Birthactive
Citizenship at birth through an Icelandic parent
Birth to an Icelandic parent creates Icelandic citizenship. Birth in Iceland alone to two foreign parents is not general jus soli.
Sources: Government of Iceland - citizenship
Citizenship routes
Ancestryreviewed
Naturalizationreviewed
Birthreviewed
Investmentreviewed
Naturalizationactive
Naturalization as the spouse of a citizen
A spouse of an Icelander may naturalize after four years of domicile since the marriage, instead of seven.
Ancestryactive
Icelandic citizenship through an Icelandic parent
A child of an Icelandic citizen parent is Icelandic under the Nationality Act. Separate routes exist for children of citizens living in Iceland and for restoration.
Sources: Government of Iceland - citizenship · Island.is - Icelandic citizenship residence length
Naturalizationactive
Citizenship after seven years residence
Adults generally need seven years continuous legal domicile in Iceland, Icelandic language, self-support, and good conduct. Shorter periods apply for Nordic citizens, spouses, refugees, and other statutory categories. Dual nationality is generally allowed.
Sources: Island.is - Icelandic citizenship residence length · Government of Iceland - citizenship · Directorate of Immigration - higher amount as means of support (from 18 May 2026) · Directorate of Immigration - fees (citizenship application, from 1 Jan 2026)
Driving licence
Where a licence connected to Iceland can be exchanged, based on mapped official lists. Search every issuing country.
Licence issued in Iceland
5 mapped destinations- Alberta (Canada)No tests requiredOfficial exchange list
- Hong KongNo tests requiredOfficial exchange list
- JapanNo tests requiredOfficial exchange list
- PortugalNo tests requiredOfficial exchange list
- United Arab Emirates — Dubai (RTA)No tests requiredOfficial exchange list
Exchange normally requires residence in the destination and replaces the original licence. The official authority still decides validity, deadlines, classes, and any extra checks.