Moving from Denmark to Iceland
A practical guide to shipping a home from Denmark to Iceland by sea, the realistic timeline on the direct North Atlantic service to Reykjavik, why customs still apply even between Nordic neighbours, and the steps that fit this corridor.
Denmark to Iceland is a short sea move where customs still apply, but a transfer of residence brings relief.
Moving a household from Denmark to Iceland is one of the most direct ocean moves in Europe. A regular liner service sails from Denmark across the North Atlantic to Reykjavik, so containers leave a Danish load point and reach Iceland in a matter of days at sea. From the port at Sundahofn your goods clear customs and move the short distance to your new home in the capital area, or on to Akureyri or wherever you are settling. The strong Nordic shipping links make the freight side reliable and frequent.
The point that surprises people is customs. Iceland sits inside the European Economic Area, so people move freely, but it is outside the European Union customs union, even though Denmark is an EU member. That means your used household goods are formally imported and must be declared, despite this being a move between Nordic neighbours. The relief that helps is that Iceland Revenue and Customs, known as Skatturinn, admits a home inventory for people transferring their residence, so a well documented move of used personal effects is normally free of duty and value added tax.
As an indicative range for 2026, a one bedroom move runs roughly kr 20,000 to kr 30,000 in shared space, while a full three bedroom home in sole use lands around kr 60,000 to kr 82,000 door to door. The transit is short, so the planning sits in your inventory, your clearance documents and your registration, because the kennitala, the personal identity number, unlocks tax, banking and daily life.
What shipping a household from Denmark to Iceland costs in 2026.
Indicative ranges in Danish kroner for 2026. The direct North Atlantic service keeps this lane fast, so the price turns mostly on your volume and whether you share container space or take a sole use box.
Indicative ranges for 2026, in Danish kroner. Real quotes depend on your volume, the Danish load point, season, the Reykjavik clearance and the delivery distance to your Icelandic address.
- +You pay only for the space your goods occupy
- +Best value for a one bedroom
- −Consolidation adds time before the sailing
- −Sailing date depends on the load completing
- +Fits a typical two bedroom home
- +Your goods travel alone and are handled less
- +Fast on the direct North Atlantic service
- −You pay for the box even if part empty
- +Days rather than weeks in transit
- +Good for essentials you need quickly
- −Far more expensive per cubic metre
- −Best kept to a small, careful selection
Get moving quotes for Denmark to Iceland.
Tell us your size and timing. We pass your request to vetted international movers who run the Denmark to Iceland lane, and you compare them on your own terms.
A realistic schedule for this route.
A realistic schedule for a Denmark to Iceland move. The transit is short on the direct service, so the planning is mostly your inventory, clearance documents and registration.
Book the move and take a survey
Get a binding in home or video survey of your volume from movers who run the Denmark to Iceland lane, and choose shared space or a sole use container.
Prepare your inventory
Build a detailed, valued inventory of your used household goods, which supports both insurance and the Skatturinn relief for a transfer of residence. Confirm you meet the ownership and residence conditions.
Pack and load in Denmark
Movers pack and load your goods at your Danish address, then move the container to the load point for the direct Reykjavik sailing.
North Atlantic crossing
The box sails directly from Denmark to Reykjavik, a short crossing on the regular liner service.
Customs clearance at Reykjavik
Your agent declares the goods to Skatturinn and applies the transfer of residence relief. Accurate documents and a registered legal residence keep this step smooth.
Register and get your kennitala
Register your legal residence with Registers Iceland, obtain your kennitala, and set up tax and banking so daily life can begin.
Bringing used household goods into Iceland.
Iceland is in the European Economic Area but outside the European Union customs union, so a move from Denmark is a formal import, even between Nordic neighbours. Used household goods are declared to Iceland Revenue and Customs, known as Skatturinn. A home inventory is admitted free of duty and value added tax for people transferring their residence, provided the conditions are met: you had your permanent residence abroad for at least twelve months before moving, the goods have been owned and used by you for at least a year, you register your legal residence in Iceland, and the goods arrive within six months of your move.
The practical work is documentary. Prepare a clear, valued inventory, keep proof of prior residence and ownership, and have your registration in hand, because the relief depends on these. New items, goods that cannot be considered part of the actual household inventory, and anything outside normal personal effects can attract charges. Vehicles, alcohol and tobacco above allowances, and any restricted items follow their own rules and are handled separately from the home inventory.
The routes in for this corridor.
As a Danish citizen you have the right to live and work in Iceland under European Economic Area free movement and the Nordic agreement, so there is no visa to apply for. You register your residence and obtain your personal identity number rather than seeking permission to stay.
Danish and other Nordic and EEA citizens can live, work and study in Iceland without a visa. For stays beyond three months you register your residence and obtain a kennitala through Registers Iceland.
Family members who are not EEA citizens can join you in Iceland and apply for residence on family grounds. The process is lighter than a standard third country route, but still requires documentation.
If you are not an EEA citizen but are relocating from Denmark, you will generally need a work and residence permit arranged through the Directorate of Immigration before you move.
Iceland's universities and research institutions draw people from Denmark, with residence granted for the duration of an accepted programme. Conditions and proof of means apply.
How to pick a mover for this route, without the guesswork.
We do not rank or recommend individual companies. We teach you the criteria that separate a safe international move from an expensive mistake, then put your request in front of vetted movers who run this lane.
Check the trade affiliation. Membership of FIDI or IAM is the clearest signal a mover is financially screened and bound to industry standards for international household goods. In Denmark, look for movers affiliated with FIDI or IAM and ask directly about their bookings on the direct Iceland liner service, their experience with Skatturinn clearance and the transfer of residence relief, and their delivery network in the Reykjavik capital area.
Insist on a binding pre move survey. A real video or in home survey of your volume is the only honest basis for a price. A quote given without one is a guess that tends to grow on moving day.
Compare like for like. Read what each quote includes: packing, materials, customs clearance, destination delivery, stair or long carry charges, and insurance. The cheapest headline number is rarely the cheapest move.
Understand the insurance terms. Ask whether cover is full replacement value or depreciated, what the excess is, and how claims are handled. Read the valuation clause before you sign.
Read recent reviews for this corridor. A mover can be excellent locally and weak on international shipments. Look for verified reviews that mention the actual route and customs experience.
Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from Denmark to Iceland?
As an indicative range for 2026, a one bedroom move runs about kr 20,000 to kr 30,000 in shared container space, and a full three bedroom home in sole use lands around kr 60,000 to kr 82,000 door to door. Your real price depends on volume, season and the delivery distance in Iceland.
How long does shipping take from Denmark to Iceland?
Plan on roughly two to four weeks door to door for a sole use container and three to six weeks for a shared load. The direct North Atlantic service from Denmark to Reykjavik keeps the sea leg short.
Do I pay duty on my furniture moving to Iceland?
Usually no. Iceland is outside the EU customs union, so the goods are imported and declared, but Skatturinn grants relief on a home inventory for people transferring residence who meet the ownership and prior residence conditions. A well documented move of used effects is normally admitted free of duty and value added tax.
Can I bring my car from Denmark to Iceland?
Yes, but a vehicle follows its own rules separate from your home inventory, with potential charges and a registration process in Iceland. Many people sell in Denmark and buy locally. Confirm the current vehicle requirements before shipping a car.
What number will I need in Iceland?
You will need a kennitala, the personal identity number, obtained when you register your legal residence with Registers Iceland. It is used for tax, banking, healthcare and almost every formal transaction, so arrange it soon after arrival.
Last reviewed: 2 May 2026. We refresh this guide as costs, customs, and visa rules change.