Get financial help from your municipality in Iceland

Temporary support when you cannot cover basic costs

In Iceland, the municipality where you have your legal address pays financial assistance (fjárhagsaðstoð) to people with no other income to cover basic costs, and each municipality sets its own rules. Check first whether you can claim unemployment benefit or other support, then contact the social services. Staff there can also guide you through the application.

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How it works

Get social assistance

Find local help if you cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs.

If you cannot cover basic living costs such as rent, food or energy, your local social services can assess what help you are entitled to. Support can include a monthly allowance, emergency payments, help with debts or housing, and advice. You usually start with an intake appointment at the office that serves your address. Bring your ID, proof of address and information about your income, savings, rent and household. Each type of support has its own conditions, and the office decides after assessing your situation.

Also searched as

social assistancesocial welfaresocial servicesfinancial helpemergency financial helpminimum incomehelp paying rent

At a glance

Offices
22 offices in 19 cities
Book online
At 6 of 22 offices
Apply online
At 19 of 22 offices

Each municipality works a little differently

Find your municipality’s social services

Which office you contact depends on your legal address, and the rules, forms and meeting arrangements differ from one municipality to the next. Some towns take applications through an online portal, others start with a phone call. See how your municipality works, and confirm opening times before you travel.

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Social services offices across Iceland

Browse the municipal offices that deal with financial assistance and see how each one handles applications and visits.

Financial assistance offices in Iceland

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