I am moving abroad — what do I have to deregister and arrange?
Deregister from the population register at Þjóðskrá Íslands (515 5300) in the days before or after you leave — it ends your municipal obligations and starts your emigration for tax and social security. Then Skatturinn — kæra / greiðsludreifing (442 1000): a final tax return, your new address, and whether you stay taxable on income from Iceland. Tryggingastofnun — kæra til úrskurðarnefndar velferðarmála (560 4400): what happens to your pension rights, health insurance and any benefits, and the forms to take (S1, U1, A1, pension statements). Keep your digital ID active if the country allows non-residents to use it — it makes everything from abroad easier.
🗣️ What to say
"I am moving to [country] on [date] and will live at [address]. I would like to deregister as of that date, receive confirmation, and know what I must arrange with the tax office and social security before I leave."
🪜 Step by step
- Deregister: Þjóðskrá ÍslandsWithin the deadline around the move date. Get the written confirmation — other countries ask for it.
- Tax: Skatturinn — kæra / greiðsludreifingNew address, the emigration return, and any continuing tax on property or pensions from Iceland. Double-tax treaties decide.
- Social security and health: Tryggingastofnun — kæra til úrskurðarnefndar velferðarmálaHealth insurance ends with residence in most countries; the new country covers you. Pension years are kept and added up across the EU.
- Documents to takeBirth/marriage certificates (multilingual forms), driving licence, registration history, pension statements, U1 if you may claim unemployment benefit abroad.
- MoneyKeep one account open for refunds and the last bills; update the bank with the foreign address (some banks close accounts for non-residents — ask).
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Can I keep my health insurance?
Usually not once you no longer live in the country, unless you are posted by an employer (A1). Pensioners moving within the EU get the S1 form.
Will I lose my pension years?
No — EU coordination adds them up and each country pays its share when you retire. Keep every statement.
I might come back
Nothing prevents re-registering. Do not keep a fake registration "just in case" — it creates tax and benefit problems.
📎 Sources
- Þjóðskrá Íslands →
- Skatturinn — kæra / greiðsludreifing →
- Tryggingastofnun — kæra til úrskurðarnefndar velferðarmála →
- Heilsugæslan — skráning á heilsugæslustöð / Sjúkratryggingar →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “moving abroad deregister Iceland”
- “emigration tax return Iceland”
- “health insurance when moving abroad”
- “pension rights moving eu”
- “deregistration confirmation”
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