Employment in Iceland

"Iceland" strikes with its special attitude to finance, close family ties, high standard of living, distinctive culture, excellent education.

The economic situation today

Among the states of northern Europe, Iceland is distinguished by a developed economy. Thus, the country's industry is represented by fish factories and activities for the extraction and processing of seafood. There are shipyards and canneries. And from imported raw materials, aluminum is made for further export. Sheep breeding is developed with the dressing and sale of skins, as well as the manufacture of wool, brings a decent income to Iceland.

Before the 2008 crisis, unemployment as a phenomenon did not exist in the country at all. The current percentage is also quite low (2,6%). For example, fishing vessels often take migrants. Among the fishermen and mechanics at the shipyard, you can often find people from Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova. And the country's energy resources are inexhaustible: hydropower, geothermal sources. Thanks to the latter, Iceland is famous for its health resorts and delicious water.

The average income of the population of Iceland is from 4 euros per hour.

Pros and benefits of living in Iceland:

• A highly developed state with the highest standard of living.
• Education is presented at the highest international level on the basis of three renowned universities: Icelandic University (Háskóli Íslands, official site https://www.hi.is/), Reykjavik University, official site https://en.ru. is /), University of Akureyri, official website https://www.unak.is/.
• Almost the safest environment in the world in terms of crime rate.
• Stunning nature, excellent ecology.
• Friendly locals.
• Technically organized life.
• High level of social security of the population.
• Decent salaries and modernly equipped workplaces.
• Most Icelanders speak English.

There are features of local life and mentality that can turn into disadvantages:

• It is very difficult to immigrate - the law is strict for residents.
• It is impossible for a foreigner to buy land here, they give it for long-term use at a high tax rate.
• Prices are among the highest in Europe.
• There is a possibility of volcanic eruptions, potentially dangerous to the whole world.
• Territorial remoteness makes it possible not to participate in world conflicts, to stay away from globalization - this seems boring for foreigners who have arrived.
• The Icelanders' language is difficult to learn.

The most demanded professions

It is only permissible to work in Iceland 5 days a week during the hours specified in the employment contract. The minimum salary is fixed by the state at the mark 1800 € per month. Average income is from 2.5 to 3 thousand euros after paying taxes and fees, which helps the resident to live comfortably.

The following specialties are in demand in the local labor market:

• IT technologies;
• bioengineering;
• agricultural sector;
• animal husbandry;
• building.

But tourism and the fishing industry constantly need personnel, since the country is often visited by guests, and the supply of seafood and fish requires regular availability of goods for import.

The level of wages per month by profession

General practitioners, dentists, neonatologists are held in high esteem in the country, as these are the most necessary specialists. Due to the developed industry, the country needs drivers of freight, passenger transport, and taxi drivers with accident-free driving experience are important for tourists.

Engineers and sysadmins receive in Iceland from € 4 to 4.5 thousand monthly, there is also a system of bonuses and allowances for these specialists. And the employees of social services are even more fortunate - they are fully supported by the state, receive salaries at least € 2 thousand per month... Programmers, designers, bioengineers get from 3.8 thousand euros.

Table 1. Average monthly salary by specialties:

Name of the profession	Salary, euro
Surgeon	3600
Obstetrician	3100
Engineer	4300
Slinger	2400
Mason	2250
Foreman	2560
Foreign teacher	2600

Most women are interested in the possibility of employment with residence. Such vacancies exist in Iceland for branches of social orientation:

• childcare;
• assistance to the elderly;
• caring for people with disabilities;
• help around the house.

The sphere of care for the population is completely subordinate to the state - the budget regularly subsidizes social programs.

Higher education, excellent knowledge of the language make it possible to work in the embassy. The main requirement for entering the civil service is knowledge of at least three languages ​​(English, Icelandic, Russian). The embassy is waiting for lawyers, administrators, as well as clerks.

How to find a job without intermediaries

To get a job, bypassing third-party employment organizations, there are two ways:

• They go to the country on a tourist visa to find a company.
• Information in electronic databases.

Popular job search sites

Top headline employment resources in Iceland include:

• https://atvinna.frettabladid.is/
• https://reykjavik.is/laus-storf#job
• https://iceland.hh.ru/

By clicking on the active link, choose:

• industry from sections in alphabetical order, focusing on city and level of payment;
• requirements for candidates;
• the number of registered applicants per place;
• post their own resume.

Specialized resources, agencies

There are services that allow you to rank sites for finding vacancies in a particular country:

• http://www.parais.net/My_House_Iceland/job.is.ru.htm

The resource database focuses on popular areas of the labor market. The sections also contain information about employers, reviews of job seekers, which will help you to choose one or another company.

You can also look at vacancies in newspapers:

• https://www.mbl.is/frettir/;
• http://www.visir.is/.

Useful forums and social networks:

• http://www.linkedin.com/;
• https://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/.

List of employment agencies in Iceland:

• http://hagvangur.is/;
• http://hugtak.is/;
• http://www.intellecta.is/;
• https://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/ - labor exchange, section Storf i bodi;
• https://hhr.is/;
• https://job.is/;
• https://www.stjornarradid.is/efst-a-baugi/laus-storf-a-starfatorgi/ - State Employment Service;

Employment types

Some migrants do not speak a foreign language, and not all are planning to move to Iceland. But for this category, there are also a number of vacancies.

Work without knowing the language

An international exchange program is popular among students, with the aim of providing household services at home in a host family with accommodation and meals. There are also volunteer areas that help those wishing to receive an education in the country to learn the language by caring for children in a nursery or doing household chores.

In the list of vacancies:

• nanny;
• housemaid;
• Cook;
• nurse;
• nurse.

It is enough to know basic English and obtain official approval from an Icelandic family or volunteer organization.

Seasonal work

Farming or fishing earnings are seasonal. There are options to get a complete set of accommodation and hot meals or three meals a day.

Most of the construction projects are tied to weather conditions. From May to October, road surfaces, communications are being repaired, building frames are being erected, sidewalks and house facades are being updated.

Seasonality is also expressed in fish processing. The fishing is carried out by contractors. Most of the mercenaries return to Iceland annually to work on ships and shipyards.

Temporary job

It is difficult to have a part-time job in Iceland.Here, a large percentage of the population is young people from the local environment, if you add to this company also students from among the residents, then about 40 people who want to get a place as a courier, mail carrier, waiter, seller or cashier will come out.

With such competition, it is difficult to convince employers of their uniqueness - the most disciplined survive.

Large Russian tour operators are interested in finding qualified Russian-speaking guides on the territory of the country of geysers. The flow of visitors is most intense from April to September inclusive.

Other options

Construction professions (bricklayer, reinforcement, concrete worker, carpenter, welder, assembler) are often among the most in-demand jobs in Iceland. Electricians, foremen, qualified builders are periodically relevant for Russian companies operating on the international market to conclude work contracts for a long period.

Official employment procedure

Before getting a job, you need to weigh the pros and cons of staying in the country. Problems will appear already at the stage of obtaining a Schengen visa.

Citizens with a criminal record, even canceled, with fines imposed by the state, unpaid promissory notes, administrative penalties and a dysfunctional biography are categorically not suitable.

Priority of actions

To be eligible to work legally in Iceland, you need to find a suitable vacancy, go through an interview and obtain employer approval.

Proceed in order:

1. Receive an employment contract (agreement) with the data: name of both parties, place of work, job duties, salary, trade union membership, information on registration with a pension fund, application for admission to work (for citizens of non-EU countries).
2. Submit an application for a residence permit.

Types of work permits

There is a practice of registration according to the terms of obtaining the right to work in Iceland:

• temporary - for 3, 6, 12 months;
• temporary - for 1-3 years with confirmation every 12 months;
• under the contract - take into account the conditions prescribed in the contract for the time range;
• student - the entire period of study for university applicants is valid, with limited employment of no more than 20 hours per week.

Categories that do not require a work permit

Employment in Iceland for EU citizens provides for a simplified procedure for the official registration procedure. In all other cases, a work permit must be provided.

List of main documents

An application for a Schengen visa must be submitted to the Embassy 4-5 weeks prior to departure.

The list of the package of documents includes:

• the passport;
• passport and its full copy;

• photo on a white background (color) - 4 pcs.;

• account statements on financial solvency, profitability;
• a rental agreement for housing on Icelandic land or an object of acquired real estate;
• medical insurance policy;

• a certificate of no criminal record on the territory of the Russian Federation;

• residence fee paid.

You can register an application for visiting the Visa Application Center here:

On the above site, it is possible to track the status of documents acceptance, order biometrics, and find out the amount of the fee.

Registration of a work visa

A Schengen visa is required to stay in Iceland. The right to paperwork has been transferred to the Danish Embassy in Russia. The resident is obliged to submit an application to the Icelandic Immigration Office as soon as possible.

The documents must be translated into English or Irish and must be certified by a notary. Copies should be in color only.

Selection Criteria for Applicants for a Work Visa

Representatives of Russia, as well as Belarusians, Ukrainians (citizens of the CIS) can count on obtaining a work visa.

The main selection criteria for issuing a work visa are:

• Age: from 18 to 50 years old in men and from 18 to 45 years old - among women.
• Health status: medical card with an indication of suitability for work, admissions.
• Lack of convictions and administrative offenses.
• Availability of specialized education, work experience, qualifications.

Work visa extension

If the employer renews the contract with the resident, then the migration service must be notified of the increase in terms of time 3-4 weeks before the expiration of the work visa. Provide a package of documents and up-to-date color photos, personally attend the interview.

Business immigration

The Icelandic government legally restricts foreign investment. But the Ministry of Commerce has the right to issue permits for economic activities of a resident.

Doing business in industries is limited:

• fishing;
• air transportation;
• natural energy resources.

The rules do not apply to EU citizens.

Features of internship in the country

The employer has the right to appoint a resident on-the-job training for a duration of two weeks to two months. If a contract is not signed during this period, the preliminary employment contract will automatically expire.

Consequences for attempting an illegal job placement

When staying in the country and working without official registration, the migration service imposes a fine on the employer, deports the offender from Iceland without the right to enter the EU for 5 years.

Working in Iceland is not the most popular reason to visit Iceland. With a high quality of life and a small population, the island is difficult to reach for income. And the principled position of the local government not to support foreign capital injections allows the country to maintain a leading economic position.