Refugees
Refugees coming to Iceland are a diverse group who may need various forms of support and information, including on financial matters, job and housing search, children and youth's school attendance, rights, and obligations.
Here you can find the main information about the services Reykjavík City provides to refugees with legal residence in the city.
What do I need before I apply for services?
- A residence card or proof of registration issued by the Directorate of Immigration.
- A passport or other valid ID. More about Allowed Personal Identifications (audkenni.is)..
- A valid Icelandic ID number.
- Legal residence in Reykjavík.
- A bank account in an Icelandic bank.
- An electronic ID, if possible. Most banks and telecom companies provide electronic IDs.
- Videos on electronic IDs.
What support can I apply for?
The Welfare Department provides diverse support to refugees, for example, financial assistance for subsistence. Those who are entitled to financial assistance for subsistence might also be eligible for other support such as a guarantee certificate renting housing, support to purchase necessary household items and electrical appliances, professional help to cope with psychological trauma, and more. In certain cases, the Department of Welfare also provides other support, for instance, due to disability or aging.
Where do I apply for support?
The first application is submitted at the local center where you have legal residence. If you don't yet have housing and are staying in a hostel or hotel, it must be in Reykjavík.
In the first visit, we check if you are entitled to:
- Financial assistance
- A guarantee certificate for rental housing
- Other assistance