How to move to Iceland, how to obtain citizenship? Iceland on the map of Europe, how to get there, airports, currency, time, work for Russians, traditions and attractions

Iceland in the opinion of 99% of local residents is the best country in the world for life. Can the land of eternal snows, polar nights and original Bjork be your second homeland?

Characteristics of Iceland

Where is Iceland on the map of Europe?

Iceland is located in the North-West of Europe, about halfway between Great Britain and Greenland. It would seem that in those grim regions where Iceland lies, eternal winter reigns, because it is located on the same latitude as the Russian Oimyakon and Anadyr.

But in Iceland the climate is different, much softer. In summer the temperature reaches 20-25 degrees, and in winter it keeps on average around zero. The only thing that makes the Icelanders uncomfortable is the frequent change of the weather several times a day. In addition, the island is often crossed by cyclones, bearing rain and heavy wind. Icelanders themselves joke: "If you think that the weather is bad, wait half an hour, and it will get worse."

Iceland on the map of Europe

See detailed map of Iceland in Russian here.

What is the capital of Iceland called?

The capital of Iceland Reykjavik is a small city by our standards. But for small Iceland this is a real metropolis, the only major city in the country with a population of just over one hundred thousand people. The rest of Icelandic cities are comparable in size to our large settlements.

"Reykjavik" translates from Icelandic as "a smoky bay".Reykjavik, like the whole territory of Iceland, is dotted with hot natural springs, which constantly emit a pair of clubs. The first inhabitants took steam for smoke, and gave the city such a name.

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland

Currency and time of Iceland

With the EU, relations here are complicated. Iceland is part of the Schengen area( you can enter here on a short Schengen visa), but the country is not going to become a full member of the European Union.

Euros in Iceland are freely accepted in almost all establishments( except for small provincial villages or transportation fare).However, the official currency of Iceland is the Icelandic krone.

Icelandic krona - the currency of Iceland

Rate as of 2016: 1 euro = 133 Icelandic kronor.

To change currency( euro to krona) is better on the spot in Iceland, since the Icelandic krone is not convertible in other countries, and it simply does not exist in our exchangers. But in general, you will need cash very rarely, since Iceland is very common with paying by bank cards( even travel by bus and taxi can be paid through the terminal).ATMs are everywhere.

The time difference between Moscow and Reykjavik is -3 hours: when Moscow is noon, Iceland is 9 am.

Money of Iceland

Iceland: Form of Government

Iceland is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote every four years. The government is subordinated to the president: the cabinet headed by the minister-chairman( in our opinion, the prime minister).

Laws are passed by the parliament, whose members are also elected by vote for a period of 4 years. If necessary, the parliament has the right to pass a vote of no confidence to the government, after which the cabinet of ministers must resign.

Building of the Parliament of Iceland in Reykjavik

The population of Iceland: peoples, in what language are they speaking?

Iceland is a fairly isolated country. The vast majority of local residents are native Icelanders. The remaining percentage falls on the Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. The total population of the country is only about 350 thousand inhabitants, two thirds of whom live in Reykjavik and its suburbs.

The official language in Iceland is Icelandic. He is the main language of communication.

Björk is the most famous songwriter in Icelandic

. How to get to Iceland:

airports Iceland is an island, you can get to it only by plane or by ship. There are no direct flights from Russia and the CIS countries to Iceland. You can fly with a transfer through one of the Scandinavian countries( it is with them that Iceland has the most active air service).

Keflavik International Airport is 50 km from Reykjavik and accepts flights from Germany, France, the UK and Scandinavia. The airport is small: only one terminal, a modest one-story building. There is a duty-free zone, several restaurants, free Wi-Fi.

The center of Reykjavik can be reached by a rented car, taxi or regular bus. The journey takes from half an hour to 45 minutes. List of rental car dealers in Keflavik look here. The list of routes and the schedule of the movement of buses can be found here.

Keflavik - Iceland's only international airport

How to obtain Icelandic citizenship?

Icelanders are hospitable people, but only with those who do not plan to register here forever. Historically, the inhabitants of Iceland have developed a strong( albeit restrained) rejection of strangers for many reasons. The number of immigrants on the island is negligible, each case of granting citizenship is closely monitored by local authorities.

Before becoming a full citizen of Iceland, you need to get a view of permanent residence and live on it for a number of years. But even getting a permanent residence permit is not an easy task. For example, unlike many countries in Europe, having a business or purchased property in Iceland is not a sufficient reason for granting you citizenship.

Marrying an Icelandic citizen is one way to obtain citizenship

Icelandic legislation provides 4 reasons for obtaining a type for permanent residence

Marriage with an Icelandic citizen

Official marriage with an Icelandic citizen( citizenship can be obtained after 3 years of residence permit).This method seems simple only at first glance, since the Icelanders are extremely reluctant to go on mixed marriages. Especially strong are the prejudices among the older generation, and the importance of the consent of the parents to marriage has not yet been canceled.

Work under the contract

Work under the contract gives the right to obtain residence permits, after seven years you can obtain citizenship. In Iceland, 70% of workers are employed in services, 23% in industry and only 5% in agriculture. As you can see, the chances of finding a job as a handyman here are not great( basically such vacancies are offered by fishing enterprises).

The contract for work in Iceland makes it possible to move to the country

For contract work, foreigners are very rarely attracted here. By law, the employer must first offer vacancies to Icelanders, then to EU citizens, and then to other different migrants. Recently, a large number of job applicants from Eastern Europe have fallen on Iceland, so those wishing to get a job in the most professions are nemerous here.

To get a permanent working contract for a Russian or CIS citizen, you need to be a super-specialist in one of the narrow industries where there is no competition. It is better if you first find an employer and get an invitation from him, and then go to conquer the country. Find a job on the site "to cheer" is unrealistic.

The site of the state employment service of Iceland: http: //www.vinnumalastofnun.is/svmhb/.Classifieds for job vacancies in Iceland: www.job.is and www.hhr.is. Also, you can regularly visit the sites of major Icelandic companies where vacancy announcements are posted.

Job search site in Iceland www.job.is

Study at Iceland's universities

The most reliable way to obtain Icelandic citizenship is to enroll in one of the local universities. Firstly, it automatically grants you the right of residence permit. Secondly, by the time you graduate from university you can already get citizenship. Thirdly, most universities in Iceland are trying to provide their graduates with work.

The plus for you is that local universities are not in great demand among the inhabitants of Europe( there is a lot of their universities), so the contest is small. Some universities in Iceland teach in English( universities in Reykjavik and Akureyri).

University in Reykjavik, Iceland

Training in a public institution costs 200-400 euros per semester. Scholarships are not provided, but students have a large social package that provides a flexible system of discounts. Training in private institutions costs an order of magnitude more - several thousand euros per semester.

You can apply for admission remotely: the procedure and the package of documents are not too different from Russian, but all documents must be provided in English or Icelandic and be certified with an apostille. More detailed information should be clarified on the official website of the university, in which you are going to enter.

One of the corps of the university campus in Iceland

Refugee status

The percentage of refusal to grant refugee status in Iceland is extremely small. But do not delude yourself: this is due to the fact that the number of people wishing to obtain such a status is negligible. The main candidates( people from disadvantaged countries) consider the local climate too cold. The second reason - refugee status will not allow you to automatically bring your family to Iceland.

And most importantly: refugee status does not give the right to work. You will receive a social allowance that will allow you to make ends meet, but no more. It is assumed that you will leave Iceland and return to your homeland as soon as the political situation in your country is stabilized. Therefore, it will be problematic to obtain citizenship based on refugee status.

To obtain the citizenship of Iceland, it is necessary to pass a state examination for knowledge of the Icelandic language( basic level).Double citizenship is allowed, so you do not need to revoke your national passport.

Passport of Icelandic citizen

How do I live in Iceland?

What may seem unusual in Iceland for immigrants from Russia.

Icelanders are very law-abiding. To commit crimes and engage in machinations is not something that is not accepted - it just does not occur to the local population. For example, parliamentary elections have been held for many years through Internet voting, and no one has ever doubted their credibility.

Prisoners in the local prison are practically not guarded, but at the weekend they are dismissed to their homes. With the influx of migrants from Poland and the Baltic States, the number of violators and prisoners has increased, so now places are sometimes not enough( a prison is a tiny one), and a small queue of local residents is formed, obliged to sit on the verdict of the court. They wait, they do not scatter - sometimes it's not one year.

Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson with his wife

Residents of Iceland highly value comfort, but are indifferent to luxury. Moreover, to exhibit their status and prosperity for show here is considered very indecent. Even the first persons of the state have very modest working classrooms, almost do not use security services and try to do small things.

Icelanders are very conservative and committed to traditions. Like their ancestors, pagans, they do not bear surnames - just a name and a patronymic. As a patronymic, the mother's name can also act - the question depends on the decision of the parents at birth. Usually the term "dream"( son) or "duttir"( daughter) is added to the name of the parent depending on the gender. In alphabetical indexes( for example, in telephone directories) people are sorted by name, not by patronymic, which often introduces foreigners into a stupor.

Due to the absence of family names, members of the same family in Iceland have completely different names

Residents of Iceland are conflict-free and friendly. Fights and crimes are very rare here. If necessary, you will be offered assistance on the street by any passerby. You will not find homeless animals on the streets of Icelandic cities, as they are all sorted into houses by loving and caring citizens. The law, which regulates the maintenance of pets in Iceland, prohibits driving them outside.

Another point of the Icelanders is not to worry others. From a small age it is customary here to respect other people's space, not to violate the general harmony and take care of the cleanliness of public places. Before you start a pet, you will have to interview all neighbors in the district, whether they will be against and whether it will bring them trouble.

Schoolgirls in Iceland in national costumes

Iceland has very peculiar ideas about the beautiful. The art here is too realistic and natural, some passages are difficult to explain for a Russian person. Among children's books you can meet a fairy tale about shit, and at a play in the theater actors can easily pee on the stage or make love without imitation.

Iceland has a very high price level, especially for alcohol. The country is considered the most expensive in Europe and the highest in terms of living standards. Not having a permanent income to live here is very difficult.

Life in the outback of Iceland

Life in Iceland for Russian

Despite the geographical distance, the mentality in Iceland is close in many ways to the Russian mentality. Therefore, adaptation in Iceland for our people is easier than for residents of Southern Europe or refugees from African countries.

What Iceland seems familiar to a Russian immigrant.

Icelanders are also hardworking. They are not accustomed to sit idly by, an uneasy climate( just like in Russia) always works long before getting the result. Therefore, Iceland very much appreciates and respects hard workers and despises lazy people. Russian with their love of work is easier to become here "their"

Residents of Iceland are very family oriented. The main value of any Icelander is the family, parents and close circle of friends. Moreover, in friendship the Icelanders are also selfless, like the Russians: they will share the last piece of bread. The basic idea of ​​friendship and marriage with them largely coincides with ours.

For people of Iceland, relatives and friends of

are very important. For an Icelander, as for a Russian, the opinion of others and the framework of decency is very important. Good relations with neighbors, relatives, former co-workers are very important for the Icelander, as well as the expression "what people will say".Especially when you consider that there are only 300 thousand inhabitants on the island and practically everyone knows each other, in your city for sure.

Icelanders love and know how to have fun, but in a narrow circle. Family noisy holidays are not uncommon. Do not shun alcohol and can drink quite a lot. Often fooled, but do not over-bend the bar.

Residents of Iceland love holidays and parades

Work in Iceland for Russian

In which industries can I find work for Russian immigrants in Iceland

• Sport and everything connected with it. Icelanders are obsessed with a healthy lifestyle. Almost everyone regularly visits the gym, many sports clubs and centers. Good trainers, masseurs, fitness consultants are always in demand here
• It-technology .Russian programmers and technical specialists are some of the best in the world, and in Iceland, most of the production and services sector is based on

technology. In Iceland, IT specialists

• demand the engineering specialties , especially the narrow focus. Russian Left-hander sits in each of us, so that natural talent and savvy allow the Russians to achieve serious career heights in such areas of
• Ecology, the nature of and everything connected with it. Iceland is a country of volcanoes and crazy beauties. Volcanoes here are careful, so seismologists and geologists are very much in demand. And nature is groomed and cherished, therefore to a court yard there will be biologists and other naturalists.

Because of the abundance of volcanoes in Iceland, immigrant seismologists

• Agriculture .Recently in Iceland, authorities have been concerned about the problem of endangered villages and agriculture, as citizens are actively moving to cities. It is planned to introduce special privilege programs for immigrants who are ready to revive
• Tourism. Icelanders make a lot of efforts to develop this industry and attract as many tourists as possible, the sphere of tourist services is constantly expanding. To work with foreigners it is important to understand the mentality of visiting visitors, therefore Icelandic travel agencies often employ foreigners

Iceland is actively developing tourism

• Services - only those where the Icelander can not cope himself. For example, the small repairs in the apartment or manicure the inhabitants of Iceland do on the side is not willing. But repair of complex equipment or procedures that require serious skills, they will gladly pay.

The smallest chances for decent work in Iceland for foreigners of creative professions. The culture of the Scandinavians is quite specific. Many consider creative professions to be a trivial matter and engage in them at the hobby level. And especially not very willing to pay for it.

Concert Hall Building in Reykjavik, Iceland

When to Go to Iceland

Before making a final decision on immigration to Iceland, it is important to make sure that you have weighed the pros and cons, well imagine your upcoming place of life andmentality of future neighbors.

It is worth to go on a tourist trip to Iceland, to be sure of the correctness of your choice.

In Iceland there is a pronounced seasonality in the influx of visitors, the peak is for the period June to September. At this time of year here are the most comfortable conditions for recreation: warmth, lots of greenery, lots of opportunities for ecotourism and sightseeing tours.

Summer in Iceland

In summer, many airlines organize additional flights to Iceland - it will be easier to find a convenient option to get there. But the prices here fly up to heaven in the summer.

In winter, the situation is reverse: not the most comfortable weather conditions, in some places the movement around the country is difficult( snowdrifts and hurricanes are frequent), but prices fall to 30-40% and you can put your trip in a relatively reasonable budget.

Iceland in winter

Iceland, natural attractions

• Fishing in Iceland is one of the most exciting pursuits. The warm current of the Gulf Stream delivers here the jambs of a variety of fish, even novice anglers can boast of very impressive trophies. Fishing is possible all year round, it all depends on the weather conditions.

Sea fishing in Iceland

• Observation of humpback whales .In the open sea these handsome men make an incredible impression. Special excursions to whale habitats are an integral part of the trip to Iceland

Humpback whales in Iceland

• sea cruises on the near islands or to the lying in the north of Greenland will also give you unforgettable impressions. Walk along the edge of the northern polar circle, see the endless glaciers and houses that have been miraculously sheltered on rocky shores. You will not find such landscapes in warmer latitudes.

Sea cruises in Iceland

• Bathing in open thermal springs .The inhabitants of Iceland often pamper themselves with such procedures even in January. Hot springs in Iceland are found everywhere, the temperature in them is on average 35-36 degrees Celsius, so bathing in them will be comfortable even at minus temperatures. In addition, the mineral composition of the water in the springs has very healing properties

Thermal springs of Iceland

• Polar lights .This delightful spectacle can be seen in Iceland from autumn to spring. In winter, see the spoils in the sky more than chances, as in the circumpolar Iceland, a light day in winter lasts only a few hours. Special tours are called "Hunting for the Northern Lights"

Polar lights in Iceland

• Observation of the geysers .Geysers are big and small hot springs, hitting the ground. Sometimes they break out, frightening the unprepared audience with their suddenness. The most famous geyser in Iceland is called Strokkur

Geyser in Iceland

• Iceland's waterfalls - they are here, perhaps, no less than natural lakes and geysers. Each waterfall has its own character and unique charm. Icelanders each, even a tiny waterfall give their own name and leave him a lot of gratitude on the pages in social networks

The Skogafios waterfall in Iceland

On the cultural sights of Iceland read here.

Iceland's black beach

The black beach on the Reinisfjara coast is probably the most mystical natural landmark in Iceland. It stretches for several kilometers and produces a real shock for those who came here for the first time.

Imagine crystal clear white waves on coal-black and perfectly flat sand. We add here a frame from gloomy rocks, fragments of some ominous peaks stick out of the water, frequent fogs here make the picture blurry to horror. In general, the ideal scenery for a movie about vampires or other evil spirits from the Scandinavian sagas.

Reinisfjara Beach, Iceland

By the way, the protruding rocks are, according to legend, petrified trolls, whose ship crashed nearby.

Unusual black color gives sand a volcanic rock, and its purity and perfect surface are preserved due to the fact that the beach is located in a cold rainy terrain, not too attractive for people and animals.

Reinisfjara Beach is included in TOP-10 of the world's best beaches, and filmmakers often come here to shoot unearthly landscapes.

Black beach in Iceland

Icelandic traditions

In conservative Iceland, the traditions of distant ancestors are carefully respected. This is the only country in the world where the language has not changed for a thousand years, so the people of Iceland perfectly understand the texts of the Old Norse sagas without an interpreter. Also here in the course of various pagan holidays and customs, in contrast to the Christianized rest of Europe.

Traditional houses in Iceland

Traditional songs of Iceland

Iceland's folk songs are a real test for an unused listener. These songs are very long, ornate, a lot of text, as each song is a saga laid to music( and the Vikings do not have sagas short).In addition, the performer must sing out tragic moments with a voice, so that the listeners in places shake and often blink.

Traditional clothes of Iceland

Lopapeis is a warm knitted sweater made of sheep wool decorated with national ornaments. In addition to piercing cold winds, the lopaceous also protects against moisture, so it is often used instead of a jacket in damp and cool summer weather.

Lopapeis - traditional clothes of Iceland

Traditional cuisine of Iceland

The main dishes on the Icelandic table are fish of all kinds and ways of cooking. The most exotic dish "khaukarl" is a shark's meat, which is first buried in the ground, where it for a time goes dead, then suspended in a smokehouse, and only then eat( frankly, completely inedible for tourists thing).

The second most popular product is lamb, since sheep are the only domestic cattle that has taken root in the climate of Iceland. From exotics, you can distinguish "hrutspngur"( pickled ram eggs) and "sweets"( sheepskin sheep, cooked in his own stomach bag).

The roasted ram's head is a traditional dish in Iceland

Traditional superstitions of Iceland

You will laugh, but in Iceland trolls, gnomes and sorcerers are really existing characters, in the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the adult population. Before starting a construction or paving the road, the Icelanders in all seriousness consult with local shamans for "permission".

Well, that is, suddenly you pave the way through the possession of the troll - you will not get into trouble! Absolutely seriously pay to appease these creatures, perform strange rituals prescribed by a shaman, and generally show all respect to local spirits.

Ice cave in Iceland

Which animal is prohibited from importing into Iceland

Any animal can be brought to Iceland( subject to availability of veterinary certificates, of course), except for horses.
Yes, it was the horses that came under the most severe ban on the importation of Vikings into the country.

Horses are, of course, there, but only one breed - Icelandic. And they can not be crossed with any other kind, so the law prescribes.

Icelandic horses

Even if you for some reason take out an indigenous local horse from Iceland, you will not be allowed to go back with it under any pretext, even if you prove that the horse was born and grew on an island and can not live without brothers.

This prohibition is connected with the fact that Icelandic horses, like people, live in isolation for hundreds of years. Any insignificant disease from the outside, and the entire population is under threat. And the horses here are special, because not all breeds will survive the northern climate.

Icelandic breed of horses

Even if you are not importing a horse, but equipment for riding, all the equipment will be thoroughly disinfected, checked for parasites, and only then allowed to cross the border.

The only time the Icelanders decided to cross their horse with an Arabian horse was 800 years ago, but the offspring proved unsuccessful and inadequate for life in Iceland. Since then, a ban on the "spoilage" of local horses has been introduced.

Video. Interesting facts about Iceland