On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Iceland LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Iceland country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Iceland COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Iceland.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Iceland is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Iceland is a party to both the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its 1967 Protocol. Iceland, however, has not accepted the UN Statelessness Conventions.
Regionally, Iceland is a member of the European Union (EU). As such, it is subject to the EU framework on refugee protection, which is based upon the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399), the Dubin Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 604/2013) and the Asylum Procedures Directive (Directive 2013/32/EU).
Iceland’s national framework on refugee protection is based on the European Law and also on its Foreign Nationals Act. The Directorate of Immigration is in charge of the procedure and granting of international protection in Iceland. You can find more on the application procedures here.
Legal aid organisations
We did not find any organisations focused solely on legal assistance for refugees in Iceland. If you have any information please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Address: Efstaleiti 9, 103 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 57 04 000 or +354 57 04 010 (fax)
Email: central@redcross.is
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 08:30-16:00 and Friday 08:30-15:00
In Iceland, the Red Cross represents the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) and advocates of behalf of and promotes the rights of refugees coming to Iceland. The Red Cross provides legal counselling in asylum cases, help to apply for state legal aid to appeal a decision, or assists with questions about the asylum or family reunification procedures in Iceland. It also provides assistance to refugees including housing, furniture and electrical appliances, first aid courses and psychological support. The Red Cross also operates a tracing system to help find lost family and loved ones.
Website
Facebook
Tel: +354 7919151
Email: solarishjalparsamtok@gmail.com
Solaris is a humanitarian aid organisation for refugees and asylum seekers in Iceland. It provides emergency aid such as clothes, medicine, glasses, food or other necessities. It can also assist with some services, like helping asylum seekers find a lawyer and assist with legal fees. They can also help with medical emergencies.
Iceland LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Iceland.
Iceland COI
Find Iceland Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated June 2023