Is moving to Iceland any easier for a US citizen if self-employed?

Member since 13 August 2014

jmarroMember14 August 2014 01:27:03

Hi. Firstly, I apologize if this has been covered before. I know this topic is always coming up but I looked and found a few similar topics but nothing quite as specific. Secondly...
I am a self-employed (artist manager) US citizen who would very much like to relocate to and work from Iceland. I have read tons of information on how not being from a EEA country makes it nearly impossible to do so unless you have a highly specialized trade, which I admittedly do not. My wife is a business analyst which I also do not believe is considered highly specialized. However, I found a few articles indicating that being self-employed may make things slightly easier. I've read there's an issue with paying social security to two countries (however there may be a work around by creating an Icelandic company and hiring yourself as an employee?). Does anyone have any experience or information on gaining a residence permit as self-employed?
We are in no rush and understand the challenges associated with trying to relocate to Iceland (especially as a non-EEA citizen). We have been to the country and are familiar with it's winters and small population (I grew up in a farm town in the North East...not the same but not too far off). We are in our 30's now and own a home here which we would be looking to sell before moving of course.

ECS Norway Expert

Member since 21 July 2006

ECSNorway Expert14 August 2014 05:23:50

1561

Where did you read these articles indicating it would be easier as a self employed person? Afaik, there is still no such thing as a self employed visa for Iceland. If you read the work visa options on utl, all of them list an employment contract as part of the paperwork requirements.

As for creating an Icelandic company, I know it isn't hard to incorporate an ehf if you are in Iceland, but I'm not sure how it works if you don't have any Icelandic registration yourself. I at least don't know of anyone who moved this way.

Fwiw though, the definition of highly specialized may not be quite what you think. Iceland is a pretty small country that doesn't tend to attract people at the top of the pile in the business world. Your wife may be able to find a company who will hire her. Based on years of experience doing the paperwork for a work visa myself, it isn't too complex or expensive for companies to hire non EEA employees.