Iceland is not the most popular country in Europe in terms of choosing it for work. In 2007, it was recognized by the United Nations as the best country in the world to live. For many, associations with Iceland are Arctic glaciers and harsh climate, and the main occupation of the population is fishing. Actually this is not true. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the economy has dramatically changed its direction. Now the main sectors of the Icelandic economy are hydropower, construction of factories, and the development of information and biotechnologies. In this connection, work in Iceland becomes prestigious and highly paid not only for the local population, but also for foreigners.
In-demand vacancies
Full time job
In such a small country, employers, of course, give preference to locals when searching for specialists for open vacancies. Thus, a job seeker from the CIS countries has two main employment options: a prestigious position with high qualifications, extensive experience and a good portfolio, or one of the many vacancies in areas where there is a shortage of workers. Let's consider both cases in more detail.
If you are a highly qualified specialist, for example, in the field of information technology, then you can count on a salary of 3,000 to 7,000 euros, which at the current exchange rate averages from 200,000 to 450,000 rubles.
The average salary in Iceland for a tourism specialist is 3,000 euros, for an engineer - 4,000 euros. When applying for a position with a similar salary, you will face high competition among European applicants.
The scarce workers that local economies need often do not require any special skills. In Iceland, you can get a permanent or seasonal job without experience: most often the payment is negotiable, but on average you can count on 2000-2500 euros per month.
Seasonal employment
Jobs without a specialty are most often designed for applicants who are ready for physical work - this is seasonal work on a farm or in production, as well as work as a driver, salesman, or builder.
However, seasonal employment is not only physically demanding work, but also administrative work in the field of tourism, restaurant and hotel business. Making money in Iceland is a profitable way for travelers to see the natural beauty of not the cheapest European country.
The average salary in Iceland is 3,000 euros; a specialist in the fields of marketing, science and education can apply for this amount of money if they have a diploma and work experience. This option is suitable for those who are counting on career growth in Iceland and plan to obtain citizenship of this country in the future.
The positive aspects of living in Iceland
The standard of living in Iceland, ecology and nature make it attractive not only for moving for work, but also for permanent residence.
You can find a suitable position in almost any field of activity. There is a high demand for foreign specialists in the field of innovative technologies.
In addition to the official language, English, German and Scandinavian languages are widely spoken in the country. This will help at first when applying for a job and in everyday communication with the local population. Over time, by practicing in live communication, the Icelandic language will easily become better.
Which cities are the best to look for work?
The best chance of finding work is in the capital, Reykjavik. In addition to a large number of positions in various fields, the salary here is also the highest in the country.
Many visitors live in small towns like Akureyri and Egilstadir. Workers are mainly needed here for construction and fish processing enterprises. Among highly qualified personnel, doctors, teachers and translators are required.
In large cities where there are many tourists, you can find work as a guide or waiter. There are plenty of fishing vacancies in the villages. Such work is not considered unworthy, and living conditions are in no way inferior to those in the city.
Many companies rent apartments for their foreign employees and pay for food. In this case, you can agree to a less highly paid job without losing out on the conditions.
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Official employment
How to get a job in Iceland without additional difficulties? Despite the many vacancies, foreigners from the CIS countries experience some difficulties. There is a real shortage of jobs in some industries. In addition, a job can only be obtained if there are no applicants among citizens. And there is a fairly serious level of competition in the country. First of all, it is necessary to conclude an employment contract before permanently moving to the country.
Then the head of the organization transmits information about the new employee to the Office of Migrant Affairs. Here the package of documents and the agreement are carefully studied. If a positive decision is made, the employee is issued an application for a residence and employment permit. The application is considered for at least 3 months.
Documents for visa application
Legal work requires the applicant to correctly fill out documents. They apply to the consulate to obtain a visa before crossing the border. The following documents are submitted for consideration:
- an application form signed by the employer and the applicant;
- an employment contract signed by both parties;
- color photography;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- a valid passport, which expires no earlier than in 3 months;
- compulsory health insurance policy; confirmation of residence in the country.
Additionally, other documents may be requested, such as a diploma of education, a linguistic certificate of knowledge of Icelandic or English at a conversational level. As a rule, it is required for applicants for a permanent job with serious responsibilities. If everything is in order, a work visa to Iceland will be issued. After this, you can safely move for further employment. To speed up the procedure, it is necessary to maintain contact with consulate staff and monitor the progress of the case.
Wage
The monthly income level of Icelanders is one of the highest in Europe. In 2021, the average salary was more than 3 thousand euros. In some areas it can be 2.5 thousand when all taxes and fees are paid.
The minimum salary is set at 1800 euros per month. Foreign citizens may receive slightly less, but if they are granted a residence permit, the salary will reach the amounts established in the state. Pay in Iceland is hourly, and you can only work 5 days a week.
Overtime is not provided, because employers do not practice this type of work.
By profession
- Waiters 2,000
- Specialties in construction and repair 2000–2500
- Drivers 2000–2500
- Farm workers 5–9 per hour
- Fishing and processing industry: seafarers; raw material processing specialties 2500
- Tourism: guides; hotel maids 2000–3000
- Catering (service of remote food outlets) 2000–3000
- Medicine: doctors; nursing staff 3000
- Science 4000
- Maintenance of high-tech production cycles 4000
- Information technology: IT specialists; programmers 4000
- Sales Manager 4000
- Engineers 4000
- Educational field; teaching 4500
- Architects 4700
- Civil aviation: pilots; dispatchers; others 6000
Only 2.5% of the population is unemployed in Iceland
The country's government takes care of its citizens, so the unemployment rate is no more than 2.5%, which is the lowest in Europe. Let's figure it out, is everything so great?
Firstly, the retirement age in Iceland is only 67 years old, regardless of the gender of the citizens. So, there are no elderly people sitting on the benches; everyone is at work.
Secondly, women don’t stay at home either. For Icelanders, maternity leave lasts only 9 months; first the father and then the mother sit with the child, then the nursery, and the parents go out to work. Women in Iceland earn the same salaries as men. The only thing is that men are more often hired for high positions (still, the echoes of gender discrimination of past years still make themselves felt).
Thirdly, students also do not neglect all possible ways to earn extra money: cafes, post office, courier services. They receive about 4 euros per hour.
Taxation
For limited liability companies, the income tax rate is equal to 18%. ITCs are exempt from stamp duty, do not pay capital tax, but are not exempt from income tax, which is set at 5%. Payment of income tax occurs on the first day of the month, with the exception of July and January, i.e. only 10 contributions. Taxes are calculated annually in July. Therefore, payments for the period February-June are considered parts of the taxation for the previous year; the balance is paid in August-December.
Annual fee
An annual license fee of US$1,400 (ISK 100,000) must be paid.
VAT and excise duty
VAT in Iceland is charged exclusively on supplies of services and goods at a rate of 24.5% (for certain groups of goods - 14%). Excise duty must be paid on certain manufactured goods, not only locally produced, but also foreign produced. Excise duty and VAT are not charged for exported services and goods.
How to find a job
Employment in Iceland for Russians, as a rule, includes highly qualified positions that the state needs. The remaining jobs are filled by local residents. An important condition is a good level of knowledge of the Icelandic language. Without it, it is very difficult to get a job. The required level of language proficiency depends on the specialty. If an applicant wants to become a doctor, a high level of Icelandic is required. Danish, German, Finnish and Swedish are also welcome. When looking for a job as a driver, the language required is at an average conversational level. To find a job, it is better to use all available methods. You can go to the website of the Icelandic Public Employment Service, vinnumalastofnun.is. Additionally, you can contact a large recruitment agency or send your resume and proposal to employers directly.
Use the following methods:
- Social network linkedin.com. Here you can find work in Iceland without intermediaries, as employers regularly look for well-qualified professionals.
- Submit your resume and references to different companies in your professional field. This option is suitable only for those who have definitely decided on the industry.
- You can use services that offer intermediary services, including recognition of qualifications in Europe.
Why Iceland is attractive to tourists
Enchanting Iceland can surprise even the most inveterate skeptics. They say that this is the same country where you have to take out a loan to pay for dinner (Iceland is a very expensive country)!
Accommodation and food costs are much higher here than in any other country. But, believe me, a trip to Iceland is worth any money, because the landscapes here are so far from what you are accustomed to that they are worthy of becoming the backdrop for the most fantastic films. And this is far from the only reason to see this country.
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Climb a higher hill and completely relax your body and mind, immerse yourself in the Blue Lagoon, try local herring, rightly called “Icelandic gold”, enjoy the power of the Strokkur geyser, which shoots directly from the bowels of the Earth several times an hour, submit to the majesty of the Bjargtangar lighthouse... The list is endless! Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, Kopavogur and Akureyri will gladly welcome you into their hospitable arms
The climate in Iceland is subarctic maritime, but very mild and comfortable even for residents of mid-latitudes. However, you will have to get used to strong gusty winds. In mountainous areas, the temperature is lower than in flatter landscapes. During the summer months, Iceland experiences “white nights”, but in December the daylight hours do not exceed 5 hours.
An interesting fact: Iceland becomes the most hospitable in the summer, but in winter nature itself is a little reluctant to welcome guests to this marvelous land of untouched nature. Since September, hotels have been closing here, the number of flights has been reduced, which, however, does not at all prevent hundreds of volunteers from all over the world from coming here, for example, for the New Year holidays.
See also: Work in Poland for Russians vacancies 2021 without knowledge of the language
The local currency here, just like the country itself, is distinctive: here it is not the usual euro, but the Icelandic krona (1 krona is equal to 100 aurars, Icelandic “kopecks”).
Approximately 135 ISK is equal to 1 euro.
What is noteworthy is that there are ATMs here on every corner, in large hotels, shops, on the streets, and they work with all types of cards! Traveler's checks are also accepted everywhere.
The population of Iceland is only about 350 thousand people, and in 2017 the birth rate here fell to its historical minimum! Nevertheless, the Icelanders managed to maintain the optimal ratio of birth rate to death rate: the typical 30-40% plus goes in favor of the birth rate.
In many ways, this increase is ensured by the influx of migrants, and although the Icelandic authorities claim that they did not artificially stimulate the increase in the birth rate, nevertheless, about 3 years ago, a rumor leaked onto the global network about the state's promised substantial financial payments to male migrants who would create a full-fledged family with female citizens Iceland! Whether this is true or not, one can only guess. But even with such a humorous fact, this country once again confirmed that it clearly knows how to surprise!
Advantages and disadvantages of working in Iceland
Advantages
- High standard of living, low unemployment rate + decent wages.
- Low crime rate. The state is in the ranking of the safest countries. There is only one prison on its territory, which is more like a labor camp.
- Cleanest ecology and incredible natural beauty. By watching the video review, you can see the local beauty with your own eyes.
- Friendliness and responsiveness of Icelanders.
- Good education system.
- A large percentage of residents here speak English.
Flaws
- Economic fluctuations, which in the future may lead to a drop in income and rising prices.
- Tough emigration policy. The laws here are not conducive to the growth of foreign citizens.
- Difficulty adapting to the northern climate.
- A long and expensive flight to the polar island.
- Measured, calm, devoid of mass gatherings and grandiose events, a life that will seem boring and monotonous to a Russian person.
- High price level.
- There is no railway system; travel around the country is possible only by roads.
- Difficulty in finding employment for newcomers.
- It is impossible to buy land; foreigners can only rent it.
- High seismic activity of volcanoes, the eruption of which may affect residents inside and outside the state.
- The language barrier. The local dialect is difficult for Russian-speaking people to understand.
- Unwillingness of local citizens to tie the knot with foreigners.
