Iceland digital nomad visa - programme closed
Since May 2026 Iceland no longer issues a visa for remote work. Croatia, Spain and Portugal offer similar visas with income thresholds about half as high.
Until May 2026 Iceland let remote employees of foreign companies live on the island for up to 180 days. A new foreigners law removed that ground. Below is what changed and where you can now work from a laptop with mountains and ocean in view.
What happened to Iceland's nomad visa
Amendments to the Foreigners Act took effect on 12 May 2026. The long-term visa was replaced by a short-term residence permit: up to 180 days and no more than once every 12 months.
Ministry of Justice Regulation No. 725/2026 lists the grounds for it. These are relatives on a visit, artists, scientists and athletes. Remote work for a foreign company is no longer on the list.
The application page on the government portal island.is has been taken down as well. You cannot apply for an Iceland nomad visa now.
What the visa gave and to whom
- Stay: up to 180 days with no extension, up to 90 days if you applied from inside the country.
- Income: from $8,200 a month, from $11,000 with family.
- Work: only for a foreign company or your own business abroad.
- Who: only citizens of countries that do not need a Schengen visa.
Russian citizens could not use it even before: they need a Schengen visa to enter Iceland.
We will find a working alternative and calculate online its cost for your family.
Where to go instead of Iceland
Nordic romance in Europe is still there, the visa for it is not. EU programmes, however, ask for about half of Iceland's income threshold.
| Country | Monthly income | Stay | Path to permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | from $4,100 | up to 18 months | no |
| Spain | from $3,200 | 1-year visa, then a 3-year permit | after 5 years |
| Portugal | from $4,200 | 4-month visa, then a 2-year permit | after 5 years |
All 30 programmes, filtered by income, family and citizenship, are in the digital nomad visa finder. Murblz specialists check your income and documents before you apply and handle the application until the decision.
Taxes in Iceland in 2026
Income tax including the average municipal tax ranges from 31.49% to 46.29%. Rates, allowances and residency rules are on the Iceland taxes page.
Northern alternatives
| Country | What is available for remote work | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | remote worker visa for up to 1 year | income from €4,500 a month, ~$5,042 |
| Norway | living on Svalbard without a visa, or a self-employment permit on the mainland | for the mainland - income from NOK 341,372 a year |
| Croatia | remote worker visa for up to 18 months | income from €3,622.50 a month |
If you want a northern country, Estonia and Svalbard are closest to Iceland; if cost of living matters, Croatia.
Who the new short-term permit is for
Under Ministry of Justice regulation No. 725/2026, the short-term residence permit of up to 180 days once in 12 months is granted to relatives visiting family, artists, scientists and athletes. Remote work for a foreign company is not on the list. Russian citizens still need a Schengen visa for any trip to Iceland.
How to live in Iceland longer
Without the remote worker visa, the usual grounds for residence remain: employment with an Icelandic employer, study, family reunification. Each requires its own preparation, and remote work for a foreign company does not count as a ground. In a consultation we will check whether you have a suitable ground and, if not, find a country where remote work leads to residence.
How Murblz helps you move
We compare remote work programmes by your income, family and citizenship, check documents before filing and handle the application until a decision. The first consultation is free, with an instant answer in the chat.
What matters now
No applications
Remote work for a foreign company is no longer a ground for a long stay in Iceland.
Short-term permit is for others
Up to 180 days once a year, granted to visiting relatives, artists, scientists and athletes.
Alternatives in the EU
Croatia, Spain and Portugal issue nomad visas on income from $3,200 to $4,200 a month.
Two lead to permanent residence
In Spain and Portugal years on a nomad visa count towards permanent residence after 5 years.
FAQ
Does Iceland issue a digital nomad visa in 2026?
What replaced the remote work visa?
Which European countries offer a nomad visa instead of Iceland?
What taxes apply in Iceland in 2026?
Where to move instead of Iceland for remote work in northern Europe?
Do Russian citizens need a visa for Iceland?
Services
Murblz services in Iceland
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
See also
Related programs and destinations
All programs - Iceland:
Similar destinations:
The same program in other countries:
Iceland closed its remote work visa - where instead?
We pick a country with an active digital nomad visa for your income and citizenship and gather the documents. The catalogue lists nomad visas in every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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