Fees and subsidies

Preschool fees are collected in advance through an online bank invoice. The due date for preschool fees is the 1st of each month, with a deadline 30 days later. The City of Reykjavík subsidizes part of the preschool fees, and the rest is paid according to the fee schedule.

The fee schedule changed on April 1, 2026. Use the new fee schedule calculator to see how these changes affect your preschool fees. It's based on total household income per year. Discounts for staff and siblings will still apply.

How much does preschool cost?

The new fee schedule takes effect April 1, 2026. No tuition is charged for 36 hours or less of care per week—only the meal fee applies.

Average daily attendance hours Weekly attendance hours Day care fee  
4-7.2 hours. 20-36 hours 0  
7.3-7.6 hours. 36.1-38 hours 1,750 each half hour
7.7-8 hours. 38.1-40 hours 2,750 each half hour
8.1-8.5 hours. 40.1-42.5 hours 4,000 each half hour
The meal fee remains unchanged—15,290 for full meals.

Preschool fees

Are any discounts available?

Fees are based on the guardian's total annual income as reported on their tax return. Staff and sibling discounts will still apply.

Single parents

  • 75% discount – annual income under 8 million króna
  • 50% discount – annual income of 8–13 million króna
  • 40% discount – annual income over 13 million króna

Married couples and common-law partners:

  • 40% discount – annual income under 11 million króna
  • 20% discount – annual income of 11–18 million króna

Preschool fee discounts

Do preschool fees need to be paid when the preschool is closed?

Preschool fees are paid for eleven months per year. If your child's preschool is closed for any reason for an extended period of time, preschool fees are not charged for that period of time.

Is there a fee for optional care days?

The fee for each optional care day is 5,000 kr.
Registration for optional care days in the fall semester is Sept. 10-20.
Registration for optional care days in the spring semester is Jan. 10-20.

Families receive a 50% sibling discount on optional care day fees for a younger sibling and a 100% discount for a third child.

Who can receive a discount on preschool fees?

Tuition discounts are available for single parents with incomes up to 13 million kr. and for married couples or cohabiting partners with incomes up to 18 million kr.

Sibling discounts are automatically calculated for children with the same legal residence.

Staff at city preschools who work at least 50% of full-time hours receive a 50% discount on tuition.

You can also receive a discount if your child is absent due to illness.

Apply for a discount at umsokn.vala.is. A ">video with instructions is available here

The discount also applies to private preschools.

More about discounts on preschool fees
Illustration of a child solving math problems on their dog while a baby watches.

What happens if I don't pay the preschool fees?

If preschool fees are not paid, a collection process for arrears begins and the child may be at risk of losing their preschool space.

Unpaid preschool fees

10 days after the final due date: The payer receives a reminder letter.
50 days after the due date: The claim is transferred to intermediary collection. When a claim is sent to a collection company, you can negotiate the debt with them.
120 days after the due date: The claim is transferred to legal collection.

If payments are made after the final due date, the payer must also pay late fees on the preschool fees. The cost of sending reminder letters and pursuing collection also falls on the payer.

When can the City of Reykjavík terminate a child's stay agreement?

The City of Reykjavík is allowed to terminate a child's stay agreement if preschool fees have not been paid for 110 days from the due date. The debt does not have to be related to the child in question, as long as the claim meets the aforementioned 110-day condition. Termination takes effect at the end of the month, with a one-month notice period.

If a child who has started preschool does not use the preschool space for two months without explanation, the child's stay agreement may be terminated. Termination takes place on the 1st or 15th of each month, with a one-month notice period.

Do you prefer to receive a payment slip?

If you would rather receive a payment slip, you can contact the Reykjavík City Service Center at Borgartún 12-14, by phone at 411 1111, via online chat, or through the email info@reykjavik.is.

How can we help?

Do you need further assistance or didn't find what you were looking for? The City Service Center can help you by phone at 411 1111, via live chat, and through email at innritun.leikskolar@reykjavik.is.