Frequent questions about Reykjavík City

What do you want to know?

Here you will find frequently asked questions and answers about the City's services. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can contact us by clicking on the chat window in the corner.

""

Preschool

Here you will find frequently asked questions and answers about preschool.

""

Primary school

Here you will find frequently asked questions and answers about primary schools.

""

After-school program

Here you will find frequently asked questions and answers about after-school programs.

Snow removal

When will my street be cleared?

Main routes, bus routes, and collecting roads are a priority for snow clearing. Residential streets are cleared if they are hard to drive in private vehicles, they are very slippery, or if the snow is higher than 15 cm (about 6’’). However, we do not always follow this rule. Snow clearing is limited to making streets drivable. Snowbanks—that Reykjavík does not clear—will likely form by driveways.

Where can I get salt or sand during the winter?

You can get salt and sand at Reykjavík City's District Depots.

Electronic applications

Where can I find online applications?

All applications can be found on My Pages, both electronic ones and those still on paper forms. Paper applications can either be filled out and sent by email, or printed and returned to the service desk in Borgartún or at a local Service Center.

Reykjavík City employment

The City of Reykjavík is both the largest municipality and workplace in Iceland. We have over 450 diverse work locations, with approximately 11,000 employees. All vacancies are advertised on the City’s website.

Parking spaces

What are parking citations?

Parking citations (often called parking fines) are of two types:

  1. Extra parking charge - when payment has not been made for the use of a chargeable parking space or payment has been made for too little time.
  2. Parking violation charges - when a vehicle is parked illegally.

How do I pay a parking citation?

You can pay a charge for a parking citation (often called a parking ticket) this way:

  • Pay on the web
  • Selecting unpaid bills in your online bank and paying it in the same way as any other bill
  • Go to your bank and pay it there

Can I pay a parking citation by transfer?

It is not possible to pay a parking citation (often called a parking fine) by transfer.

How do I pay a parking citation through online banking if the charge is not on my ID number?

1. Open the 'payment slip' (I. greiðsluseðlar) form in your online bank. Have the ticket with the charge (the parking fine) at hand.

2. Enter the invoice reference as printed on the ticket. The invoice reference is at the bottom of the ticket and is set up as follows:

  • ID number of the Parking Service
  • Charge number
  • Category 03, Bank 513, Account type 66
  • Due date (be sure to enter the due date that is on the ticket, not any other date)
  • ID number of the vehicle owner.

When paying in an online bank, it is best to use a browser, not an app.

Can I dispute a parking citation?

Yes. You can request a review by submitting a request within 28 days from the date of the charge. The general processing time is 2-4 weeks.

Who is eligible for a resident parking permit?

You can apply for a Resident Parking Permit (I. íbúakort) if:

  • you are legally resident within a paid parking zone in Reykjavík, or in a defined Resident Parking Permit Zone
  • there is no parking spot on your property,
  • if you are a registered owner or keeper of a vehicle in the Vehicle Register,
  • the debt to the Parking Service has not been submitted to a collection agency.

As a tenant, you must present the property owner's consent when applying for a resident parking permit.

You can apply for a permit and get the owner's consent form on the Reykjavík Parking Service website.

How much does parking cost in Reykjavík?

Reykjavík has four different tariff zones with varying prices. The zones are P1, P2, P3, and P4. Detailed information on the fees can be found on the Reykjavík Parking Service website.

 

How many parking garages are there in Reykjavík?

Reykjavík City operates 7 parking garages: Stjörnuport, Vitatorg, Kolaport, Vesturgata, City Hall, Traðarkot, and Bergstaðir. The prices vary between parking garages. Detailed information about fees, opening hours, number of spaces, available spaces, and specific locations can be found on the Reykjavík Parking Service's website.

Property rates

Where can I see the levy of property rates?

Owners can get assessment notices on My Pages or at Ísland.is. Assessment and amendment notices are not mailed out due to an amendment made to Act No. 4/1995 that went into effect on January 1, 2019, allowing municipalities to deliver assessments for property tax electronically.

Where can I find a payment slip for property rates?

Property rates are collected in online banks. You can view payment slips for property rates in your online bank under "Electronic Documents / Online Overview” (rafræn skjöl/netyfirlit).

Payment slips are generally not sent by mail unless specifically requested. You can also request to receive your payment slip electronically.

How does the discount on property rates work?

Reykjavík City may reduce or cancel property rates for low-income old age and disability pensioners. You do not need to apply specifically for this discount. It is automatically applied after a review of tax returns for old-age and disability pensioners.

Where can I find detailed information about property rates (fasteignagjöld)?

Swimming pools

How much does it cost to go swimming in Reykjavík?

Children (0—16* years) – Free
Children (16*-17 years) – 195 kr.
Adults (18 years and older) — 1,210 kr.
Senior citizens aged 67 and over — Free

*Based on August 1 of the birthday year.

Can children go swimming alone?

10-year-old children are allowed to go swimming without an escort. The age limit is based on June 1 of the year the child turns 10.

Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to go swimming unless accompanied by someone over the age of 15 who can swim.

Are there facilities for people with disabilities at Reykjavík City swimming pools?

Yes, you can find information about accessibility at the City's pools on the web. Click on the swimming pool you want to know more about to see how the facilities are.

When are the swimming pools open?

Municipal swimming pools are open every day of the week. Most days of the year, swimming pools have regular opening hours.

 

There are different opening hours around Christmas, Easter, and other public holidays, and they vary by pool.

Waste collection FAQ

Do you have any questions about waste collection, sorting, or recycling?

Services for older people

How do I apply for driving services?

You can apply for driving services by completing the online application form or by handing in a filled-out and printed application at City Centers.

How do I apply for food delivery?

Apply for home-delivered meals by completing an online application or submitting a filled-out printed application at City centers.

Where can I get the blueprints for my house?

All master plans for buildings are available in Reykjavík City's blueprint archive. Secondary plans, not yet in the blueprint archive, can be viewed at the Service Center in Höfðatorg. Blueprints are available all weekdays from 8:30am to 3pm.

Teikning af konu mæla turn.

Employment certificate

Where can I find information about my occupational history with Reykjavík City?

  • To request a employment certificate, please log in to our support website.
  • You must use an electronic ID or an Ice Key for identification.
  • Please direct your information request to your most recent workplace at Reykjavík City.
  • You will receive the certificate by email. Please provide a valid email address and mobile number on the support website (should we need to contact the applicant).
  • Your case will be processed within two weeks from the date we receive it. Please specifically mention if your case concerns a work certificate for the Directorate of Labor.
Please note that the processing time for employment certificates can vary significantly, depending on how far back you need information.

What is a certificate of employment?

A certificate of employment is a confirmation from a previous employer of the job title and hours that an employee performed. They are used, among other things, to confirm an individual's experience and seniority.

Employment certificates from previous employers can therefore have an impact on the level of pay and sick leave entitlement of the employee (in government or municipal jobs).