Licensing and permits

Operating licenses are required for businesses in certain sectors; for example manufacturing or hospitality, and are granted on fulfillment of clearly defined rules. Details of regulations, monitoring and inspection agencies etc. vary from one sector to the next but generally speaking, as a member of the EEA, Iceland operates its regulatory environment on the same principles as the European Union.

It is necessary to check whether licenses and / or registrations are required for the business activity in question. Information and applications for operating permits are available on the websites of the relevant ministries, institutions and local governments. It is advised that you check as soon as possible whether licenses are required as it can take some time to obtain them and you may need to provide additional documents to prove the relevant qualifications necessary to grant the license. You will have to apply for an operating licence from the relevant organisation dependent upon the industry you will be starting your business in. You may even need to go to several different places to obtain permits.

Below is a brief overview of the most common organisations that issue operating licenses:

Directorate of customs General information on rules and regulations regarding importation of goods to Iceland	Skatturinn Tollur
Government Offices in Iceland Information, services and documents from Government Offices	Stjórnarraðið
The Environment Agency of Iceland Promotion and protection of natural resources and public welfare. Ensuring a healthy environment and safe consumer goods	Umhverfisstofnun
Icelandic Occupational Safety and Health Administration Prevention of accidents and health damage in the workplace	Vinnueftirlitið
Ryekjavik Health Authority Hygiene, food and pollution control	Heilbrigðiseftirlit Reykjavíkur
Directorate of labour Responsibility for public labour exchanges, Unemployment Insurance Fund, Maternity and Paternity Leave Fund, Wage Guarantee Fund and projects connected with the labour market	Vinnumálastofnun
Icelandic Pension Funds Association General information on pension funds, rights and services	Lífeyrismál
Internal Revenue Directorate General information on taxes, tax services, tax forms and tax billing	Skatturinn
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Responsible for the state’s financial and economic affairs, for which it formulates policy and prepares plans and budgets	Skatturinn Fjármála og efnahagsráðuneytið
MAST – Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority Promotes the health and welfare of animals, plant health and the safety and quality of food	MASTMatvælastofnun
MATIS Provide partners with support for increased value creation, food safety and public health	MATÍS