Iceland What to Expect

Iceland is a child friendly country. To name few activities for children are, e.g. go swim in the swimming pools located all over Iceland, feed the birds by the Pond in Reykjavík, go to the Family- and farm animals park in Reykjavík or go whale watching.

Women travelers do not have to take any precaution.

Iceland is probably the most gay friendly place in the world, the Prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is openly gay person.

The Gay Pride parade is held annually in mid-August.

There's only one gay club in Iceland, located in Reykjavík, called Barbara.

Visitors with disabilities can make travelling in Iceland fairly easy by careful planning. It may sometimes be necessary to travel with a companion, for although there are many hotels and restaurants accessible to people with disabilities, they do not always provide full assistance. A number of hotels in Reykjavík and Akureyri have rooms specially designed for guests with disabilities. Larger department stores are generally accessible to wheelchair users. Some ferries are accessible to people with disabilities. All airlines flying to and from Iceland are equipped to accommodate travellers with disabilities. Some buses for wheelchair users are available for special tours upon request.

Registration
Every person living in Iceland has an identity number (kennitala). Without it you can't open a bank account, rent a DVD or get a doctor's appointment.  The National Registry (Thjodskra) assigns you an Icelandic identity number. You can register for an identity number at the National Registry, the town hall or at the police commissioner's office.  
 
If you intend to stay for longer than three months, you must also transfer your legal domicile to Iceland.
 
Ninukot can advice you how to register for a identity number (kennitala), http://www.ninukot.is.
 
Residence and work permit
If you are from the Nordic countries and the European Economic Area you can work in Iceland without a special work permit. However, due to difference in the international treaties there is a slight difference between the rules regarding Nordic citizens and citizens from other EEA countries.

• Nordic citizens: Nordic citizens can move to Iceland without any hindrance. If your employment is for shorter period of time than six months, you can stay in Iceland without ever transfering your legal domicile. However, you must register with The National Registry to receive an Icelandic identity number (kennitala). For more information about moving to Iceland from a Nordic country check out the website HalloNorden, www.hallonorden.org/.  If you intend to stay for longer than six months you must notify the National Registry or go to the next public office. They will then transfer your legal domicile to Iceland. 
• EEA citizens : Citizens from the European Economic Area can also move to Iceland without any hindrance.  When employed through Ninukot you will have acquired the right to a residence permit which the Nationial Registry issues. 

 
Taxes
All individuals that reside in Iceland are subject to having their income taxed.  To receive your personal tax credit against the computed income tax, you must have a tax card from the Internal Revenue Directorate (Rikisskattstjori). People that have registered for a kennitala and will be staying for more than three months will be sent a tax card shortly after receiving an identity number (kennitala).
 
2010: The rate of the income tax is 37,22%, and the personal tax credit is 44.205 ISK per month. 
 
Labour market
The Icelandic labour market is governed both by laws and wage agreements between employers and employees' organisations.

• Trade unions: Trade unions play an important role in safeguarding the interests of workers, provide information on wage rates and other right established in wage agreements.  Many of them have also expanded their activity to include educational activity, rental of vacation houses to members and more.
• Union fees : Union fees are determined by the trade unions and are usually 1-2% of the worker's wages.  The employer also pays into sickness benefit funds and holiday allowance funds of the trade unions as is specified in the wage agreements. All participants in Ninukot's programs should become member's of their local union.
• Pension fund : All workers in Iceland must pay into a pension fund, which pays retirement and disability pensions.  The employer will also make an contribution on behalf of the worker and is responsible for deducting the worker's payments to the pension fund. In 2010, according to most wage agreements employee's contribution to a pension fund was 4% and the employer's contribution is 8% of the wages.  
• Holiday: All employees in Iceland have a right to a holiday.  If you work for the same employer for a year, you will have the minimum right to a 24 days holiday, or a certain percentage of your wages in lieu. For farm work the percentage is 10,17% of the wages.
• Christmas and vacation premium: Wage agreements also include a Christmas (payable in December) and vacation premium (payable from 1 May to 15 August) on top of ordinary holiday allowance.  Those who work a part of the year receive these premiums proportionally.

Emergencies
Call 112 countrywide for police, medical and fire emergencies.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are called "Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Some are open for extended hours.

Medical help
There are Health Centres or general practitioners in all towns around the country. Doctors will make house calls. In case of serious illness or accidents in Reykjavik, patients should turn to the Emergency Ward at Landspítali University Hospital in Fossvogur (district), tel.: +354-525-1000, which is open around the clock.

Medical insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show valid medical insurance and a passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries are charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute, www.tr.is/english, tel.: +354-560-4400, fax: +354-562-4302. Office hours: 08:05-15:00.

Vaccinations
For visitors arriving in Iceland, no vaccinations are required.

Water
Water is safe to drink throughout Iceland and is very good quality.

Emergencies
Call 112 countrywide for police, medical and fire emergencies.