Icelandic citizenship by birth

Icelandic citizenship by birth is determined by the principle of jus sanguinis, which means that citizenship is primarily acquired through descent from Icelandic parents rather than by place of birth. This means that if at least one of your parents is an Icelandic citizen at the time of your birth, you are likely to be eligible for Icelandic citizenship. However, there are some additional factors to consider.

How to get citizenship by birth in Iceland

In Iceland, citizenship by birth is primarily determined by descent rather than place of birth. If at least one of your parents is an Icelandic citizen at the time of your birth, you will generally acquire Icelandic citizenship automatically.

However, if neither of your parents is an Icelandic citizen, you may still have a pathway to Icelandic citizenship by birth under certain circumstances. Here are the steps to follow if you have non-Icelandic parents with long-term residence in Iceland:

1. Residency. You must have legally and continuously resided in Iceland for a specific period of time, usually eight years. This means that you have been living in Iceland with the appropriate permits and legal status.
2. Good Conduct. During your residency in Iceland, you must have demonstrated good conduct and adhered to Icelandic laws. This includes not being involved in any serious criminal activities or posing a threat to national security.
3. Application. Once you meet the residency and good conduct requirements, you can apply for Icelandic citizenship by birth. You will need to submit an application to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingastofnun) along with the necessary supporting documents. The application forms and specific requirements can be obtained from the Directorate’s website or by contacting them directly.
4. Decision and Naturalization. The Directorate of Immigration will review your application and make a decision based on the eligibility criteria. If your application is approved, you will go through a naturalization process, which typically includes taking an oath of allegiance to Iceland.

Documentation and Application

To apply for Icelandic citizenship by birth, you will need to gather the necessary documentation and submit an application to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun). Here is a general overview of the required documentation and the application process:

Documentation

1. Birth certificate.
2. Passports.
3. Residence documents.
4. Good conduct certificate.

Application process

1. Obtain the application form.
2. Complete the application form.
3. Gather supporting documents.
4. Submit the application. Submit your completed application and supporting documents to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
5. Await a decision.

Dual Citizenship

The Icelandic government revised its citizenship laws in 2003, allowing individuals to acquire Icelandic citizenship without renouncing their existing citizenship. So Iceland allows for dual citizenship, which means that you can hold Icelandic citizenship while also being a citizen of another country.