Moving from the United Kingdom to Iceland
A short North Atlantic sea move, from the United Kingdom to Reykjavik. Goods sail in one to three weeks to Sundahofn, used belongings can come in duty free under the customs relief, and life in Iceland is impossible without your kennitala. Here is the honest brief.
On the logistics, this is a relatively short sea move with a regular rhythm. Your goods leave the United Kingdom on a scheduled container service, often from Immingham or routed via Rotterdam, and arrive in one to three weeks at Sundahofn, the main cargo harbour in Reykjavik. A full home travels in a sole use twenty or forty foot container, while a shared container suits a studio or partial load. Because Iceland imports almost everything by sea, the sailings are frequent and the route is well worn.
On the customs side, Iceland allows your used household goods in free of import charges under a clear relief, administered by Iceland Revenue and Customs, Skatturinn, provided you lived abroad and owned the goods for the qualifying period. Settling in then turns entirely on the kennitala, the ten digit national identity number issued through Registers Iceland, Thjodskra. Almost nothing official happens without it, from opening a bank account to signing a lease, so registering your domicile is the practical first move on arrival.
What it costs to move from the United Kingdom to Iceland.
What it really costs to move a household from the United Kingdom to Iceland in 2026, shown as indicative ranges in pounds by home size and shipping method. This is a short sea route, so it is cheaper than the long hauls, and the duty free relief usually keeps customs charges off the bill.
Indicative ranges for 2026 in pounds, before full packing, premium insurance, and any storage. Under the moving to Iceland relief, used personal effects normally enter free of import charges. A shared container splits the box and the cost, while a sole use container carries only your goods. These are not binding figures, so get a survey.
Four levers move the number. Volume is the master variable, so a declutter before the survey pays off. Shared versus sole use trades cost against time, with groupage cheaper but waiting for a consolidated box. Sailing and routing, whether direct from a UK port or via a continental hub, shift the price and the timing a little. And destination delivery, from Sundahofn to your home in Reykjavik, Akureyri, or a rural area, plus Iceland's high local labour costs and weather, can add to the far end.
A realistic schedule, working back from departure.
Work back from the sailing. The sea leg is short, but the residence permit and your kennitala take real time, so start this corridor around two to three months before you want to be settled.
Sort your right to stay
British nationals are not in the European Economic Area since Brexit, so you generally need a residence permit to live in Iceland, applied for through the Directorate of Immigration, Utlendingastofnun. Begin this early, since your right to stay underpins the kennitala and the customs relief.
Get quotes and declutter
Have movers run a video or in home survey and compare shared and sole use container quotes on a like for like basis. Iceland's high local prices mean it is often worth shipping good furniture rather than rebuying, so weigh that carefully.
Prepare the relief paperwork
Build a valued inventory with descriptions and purchase dates, and gather proof that you lived abroad for at least twelve months and owned the goods, which Skatturinn uses for the duty free relief.
Pack, load, and sail
The crew packs and loads your container for the short voyage to Sundahofn. Keep your passport, inventory, and residence documents together for the customs entry on arrival.
Clear, register, and settle
Customs clears your goods under the relief, then they are delivered. Register your domicile with Registers Iceland to obtain your kennitala, collect your residence permit, open an Icelandic bank account, and register with a health centre.
Clearing your goods into Iceland.
Iceland lets you import your used household goods and personal effects free of import charges under the relief for people moving to the country, administered by Iceland Revenue and Customs, Skatturinn. The standard conditions are that you lived abroad for at least twelve months before the move, that you owned and used the goods for at least twelve months beforehand, and that the goods are imported within a set period of establishing residence, with the first shipment normally arriving within six months. Where the conditions are met there is no value cap on the goods you may bring in free.
Because the United Kingdom is outside Iceland's customs area, this is a genuine import and the paperwork carries the relief. You prepare a detailed inventory listing each item with a description, an approximate value, and a purchase date, and customs may ask for proof of your residence abroad, obtainable from Registers Iceland, and proof of ownership such as receipts or dated photographs. Getting this in order before the goods sail keeps the Reykjavik clearance clean.
Restricted categories apply, including firearms, certain foods, and some plants and animal products, and Iceland is strict on biosecurity, so used outdoor and riding equipment may need cleaning or a declaration. A vehicle can be brought in but must be registered and meet Icelandic requirements, and both countries differ in driving side, with the United Kingdom on the left and Iceland on the right. Keep your inventory, proof of residence abroad, and ownership documents together for the clearing agent.
How people moving from the United Kingdom actually move to Iceland.
Since Brexit, British nationals need a residence permit to live in Iceland, handled by the Directorate of Immigration. These are the routes most movers on this corridor actually use.
For taking up employment in Iceland, a residence permit tied to a job and a work permit, usually arranged with the employer, the standard route for those moving for a role, including shortage occupations.
- Type
- Work permit
- Basis
- Job offer
- Grants
- Residence
- Via
- Directorate of Immigration
For the spouse, partner, and children joining a resident or an Icelandic citizen, a route built around the family relationship and the sponsor's status in Iceland.
- Type
- Family route
- Basis
- Join resident
- Covers
- Spouse and children
- Needs
- Sponsor status
For those admitted to an Icelandic university or college, a residence permit for the period of study, with limited work rights and proof of support required.
- Type
- Study
- Basis
- Admission
- Term
- Course length
- Work
- Limited
A route for specialists whose skills are sought in Iceland, allowing a more direct permit where the role and qualifications meet the criteria set by the authorities.
- Type
- Specialist
- Basis
- Skills in demand
- Suits
- Professionals
- Needs
- Qualifications
How to choose a mover for this route, with no names attached.
This site never names, ranks, or recommends a moving company. Instead, here is the neutral checklist that separates a safe international mover from a risky one. Apply it to every quote you receive.
Get Moving Quotes for the United Kingdom to Iceland.
One short form reaches vetted international movers who run this exact route. No obligation, and no moving company is shown or ranked on this page. You receive quotes to compare on your own terms.
Plan the move with a clear head.
Subscribe to The Relocation Brief for practical, country specific relocation guidance, sent when it is genuinely useful. No spam, and you can leave any time.
Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from the United Kingdom to Iceland?
As indicative ranges for 2026, a two to three bedroom move runs roughly 2,800 pounds as a shared container and up to 6,500 pounds for a sole use container, before packing, insurance, and any storage. It is cheaper than long haul moves because the sea leg is short. Get a binding quote from a survey.
How long does shipping from the United Kingdom to Iceland take?
Expect one to three weeks door to door. Goods sail on a scheduled container service, often from Immingham or via Rotterdam, to Sundahofn in Reykjavik, then clear customs under the relief before delivery. It is one of the faster overseas moves, helped by frequent sailings to Iceland.
Can I bring my used belongings into Iceland duty free?
Usually yes, under the relief for people moving to Iceland administered by Skatturinn, if you lived abroad at least twelve months, owned the goods for at least twelve months, and the first shipment arrives within six months of establishing residence. There is no value cap when you qualify. This is not legal advice, so verify the conditions before you ship.
What is the kennitala and why do I need it?
The kennitala is Iceland's ten digit national identity number, issued through Registers Iceland, Thjodskra. It connects you to tax, health, banking, and public services, and almost nothing official can be done without it, from opening an account to signing a lease. Register your domicile to obtain it soon after arrival.
What permit do I need to move from the United Kingdom to Iceland?
Since Brexit, British nationals generally need a residence permit, most often for work, plus family, study, and specialist routes, all handled by the Directorate of Immigration, Utlendingastofnun. This is not immigration advice, so confirm the current permits and conditions with the official Icelandic source.
Is it worth shipping furniture to Iceland or buying there?
Often it is worth shipping, because local prices and labour in Iceland are high and the sea route is short and frequent, so moving good quality furniture can cost less than rebuying. Weigh the volume against replacement cost during your survey, since the freight on a small load is modest.