Where to ask for financial assistance in Iceland

The municipality where you are registered is your starting point

Financial assistance is handled by each municipality’s social services, so apply to the one where you have your legal address. Offices differ on whether you phone first, apply through a town portal or visit a service centre, so confirm opening times and how to arrange a meeting before you travel.

4 offices in Reykjavík
  • Reykjavík

    Reykjavík City — East Center

    Bíldshöfði 20, South entrance, 110 Reykjavík

    Apply online one month at a time, and remember that saving a draft does not send your application.

    Bring photo identification for the required identity check. First-time applicants, and people whose last application was six months or more ago, must attend a centre within two business days after submitting. Follow the document requests in your application and show whether other support is available. If unemployed, check unemployment-benefit entitlement and provide evidence of active jobseeking. If unable to work, the city asks for medical evidence of the incapacity period and checks of relevant sickness-benefit rights. Keep the submission confirmation and decision; an exceptional-case refusal may be referred for review under the city’s appeal procedure.

  • Reykjavík

    Reykjavík City — North Center

    Efstaleiti 1, 103 Reykjavík

    Call to check which centre covers your neighbourhood, and to arrange a consultation if you need one.

    Bring photo identification for the required identity check. First-time applicants, and people whose last application was six months or more ago, must attend a centre within two business days after submitting. Follow the document requests in your application and show whether other support is available. If unemployed, check unemployment-benefit entitlement and provide evidence of active jobseeking. If unable to work, the city asks for medical evidence of the incapacity period and checks of relevant sickness-benefit rights. Keep the submission confirmation and decision; an exceptional-case refusal may be referred for review under the city’s appeal procedure.

  • Reykjavík

    Reykjavík City — South Center

    Álfabakki 10, 109 Reykjavík

    Get help applying at your neighbourhood centre if you have no electronic ID.

    Bring photo identification for the required identity check. First-time applicants, and people whose last application was six months or more ago, must attend a centre within two business days after submitting. Follow the document requests in your application and show whether other support is available. If unemployed, check unemployment-benefit entitlement and provide evidence of active jobseeking. If unable to work, the city asks for medical evidence of the incapacity period and checks of relevant sickness-benefit rights. Keep the submission confirmation and decision; an exceptional-case refusal may be referred for review under the city’s appeal procedure.

  • Reykjavík

    Reykjavík City — West Center

    Efstaleiti 1, At North Center, 103 Reykjavík

    Book a callback from a counsellor online, which is a phone call rather than a visit in person.

    Bring photo identification for the required identity check. First-time applicants, and people whose last application was six months or more ago, must attend a centre within two business days after submitting. Follow the document requests in your application and show whether other support is available. If unemployed, check unemployment-benefit entitlement and provide evidence of active jobseeking. If unable to work, the city asks for medical evidence of the incapacity period and checks of relevant sickness-benefit rights. Keep the submission confirmation and decision; an exceptional-case refusal may be referred for review under the city’s appeal procedure.

Related services

Other everyday services in Iceland

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Where to next

Social assistance from your municipality

Find out who can apply, which municipality handles your case and what to check before you contact social services.

Social assistance in Iceland