Iceland

Iceland is an island nation in North Atlantic that is 103,000 km² and has a population of under 1 million people. Their official language is Icelandic.

12/27/20251 min read

Government website for immigration:

Directorate of Immigration https://island.is/en/o/directorate-of-immigration

General information https://www.government.is/topics/foreign-nationals/

Short stay Visas https://www.government.is/topics/foreign-affairs/visa-to-iceland/


LGBT+ specific immigration programs (if available): I could not find any LGBT+ specific refugee programs through the Icelandic government, but LGBT+ people can apply for asylum, or can partner with non-government organizations.


Applying for Asylum: https://help.unhcr.org/iceland/how-can-i-apply-for-asylum-in-iceland/how-to-apply-for-asylum/


NOGs

Samtökin ’78: https://samtokin78.is/english/


Red Cross: https://asylum.redcross.is/en/locations

IFRC: https://pgi.ifrc.org/the-team


Additional resources for LGBT+ asylum seekers:

Samtökin ’78: https://samtokin78.is/english/

Gayther : https://gayther.care/rmguides/iceland-country-guide/



Other sites pertaining to relocation/citizenship:
Individuals with citizenship in the UK or a EU country may have additional avenues to apply for visas or to seek short term asylum in Iceland https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-london/visit-iceland/

Is same-sex marriage legal: yes
Are trans identities legally recognized and protected: yes

Are more than two genders legally recognized: yes

Is conversion therapy legal: no

Are there laws protecting LGBT+ people from discrimination: yes

See Equaldex for a chart with more specifics: https://www.equaldex.com/region/iceland

Other information: https://www.government.is/topics/human-rights-and-equality/equality/lgbti-affairs/


Are there any laws preventing discrimination based on other factors (e.g. religion, age, sex, ethnicity): yes

https://www.government.is/topics/human-rights-and-equality/