- ID card is a handy and secure identity document that complies with international standards that holders can use for identification both domestically and as a travel document within the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Until now, the only valid identity document for children has been a passport, and now all children and young people can apply for an identity card to show where it is needed, e.g. on the bus, swimming, taking exams at school, etc.
- With the new law, all Icelandic citizens have the right to be issued an ID card, regardless of age. Previously, the applicant had to be 14 years old.
- With the new law, only Icelandic citizens have the right to receive ID cards. Previously, all persons who are registered in this country could get an ID card, incl. foreign nationals.
- ID cards will be issued both with and without options for use as travel documents in the European Economic Area (EEA).
- The appearance of the new ID cards will be more modern and will resemble similar ID cards issued in the European Economic Area (EEA).
All Icelandic citizens regardless of age can apply for an ID card.
For persons aged 18 and over
- 9,200 ISK
- Expedited delivery price: ISK 18,400
For children, the disabled and the elderly
- 4,600 ISK
- Expedited delivery price: ISK 9,200
The same price is for ID cards whether they are used as travel documents or not.
- ID cards is valid for 10 years for adults.
- ID cards is valid for 5 years for children under the age of 18.
- If an ID card is lost, a new one is issued with the same validity period as the one that was lost.
- ID cards issued before January 1, 2013 will expire on December 1, 2023.
- ID cards that were issued after that time will expire on December 31, 2025.
The ID card can only be used as a travel document within the European Economic Area (the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), marked in green here on the map.
All Icelandic citizens have the right to be issued with an ID card as a travel document, unless the provisions of the law on the handling of criminal cases apply to the applicant.
Name certificates will initially not be available electronically.
Icelandic citizens who do not want or do not meet the requirements of the law to be issued an ID card as a travel document, have the right to be issued an ID card without the possibility of using it as a travel document.
Applications for ID cards can be made at District Commissioner offices and at consuls or embassies abroad. It will be possible to apply abroad from April 1.
Applicants must appear in person at the application location both domestic and foreign.
It is currently not possible to pre-register an application on ísland.is, but the aim is to open the pre-registration of applications in the spring months.
Photography takes place at the ID card counters. It is allowed to bring a digital image if it meets the set conditions. Here you can see conditions for image use.
Those who live abroad can have an ID card sent by registered mail to their legal address abroad.
It is possible to apply for an ID card abroad from 1 April and applicants must appear in person. Here you can see foreign application locations
You can collect the ID card at the Registers Iceland office, Borgartún 21, 105 Reykjavík or at domestic application places and foreign.
- If the applicant cannot pick up the ID card himself at the delivery place, he can give it to someone else proxy.
- The guardian must pick up the child's ID card himself, unless he authorizes someone else to do so.
- All children who are Icelandic citizens can get an ID card as a travel document.
- All children under the age of 18 generally need the consent of the person or persons who have custody of the child to be issued with a travel document.
- All children who are Icelandic citizens can get an ID card.
- Children aged 13 and older can apply for an ID card without the presence of a guardian.
- Children under the age of 13 need the consent of one guardian if applying for an ID card that is not is a travel document.
Increasingly in today's society, individuals are asked to identify themselves with valid identification. Examples include taking exams in secondary schools and age-based services such as on the bus and at swimming pools.
Foreign citizens cannot apply for an ID card.
- Valid passport from the country of origin.
- Foreign driving license (not digital).
- Old Icelandic ID cards are considered valid as identification until the end of 2025.
- Further information can be found on the page Audkenni.