Working hours

Iceland is a very expensive country and in order to maintain high living standards, Icelanders are used to working long hours. Men work 47 hours a week on average and women 37 hours. Working overtime is quite common in Iceland and employees are often paid for the extra hours they put in.

Besides, What do people in Iceland do in their free time?

Ice-walking, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, and sailing on glacier lagoons are exciting and unique activities. You can go on glacier adventures on day tours from Reykjavik or include them in longer trips in the countryside.

Keeping this in mind, What it’s like to work in Iceland? Work-life balance

If there is one thing Icelanders value, it is a healthy work-life balance. Icelanders are very family-centric—not surprising given the island’s population of 360,000. An average Icelandic workweek is 40 hours, including lunchtime and breaks, and is very often flexible.

Does Iceland have a 4 day work week?

Around 85% of workers in Iceland have the option of working just four days a week. Jack Kellam, who’s researched the country’s labor system, talks about why it beats the five-day week.

What is the average salary in Iceland?

What is the average salary in Iceland? Icelandic employees make an average gross salary of $66,460 a year, $5,537.85/month, and $31.96 an hour. After deductions, the average salary comes down to around $3,278 per month, putting Iceland’s salaries among the highest in Europe.

What is daily life like in Iceland?

Life in Reykjavik – Life follows a very specific rhythm in the Capital city, probably everywhere in Iceland. In general, the pace of life was much slower than I was used to. Icelanders work hard and they play hard, to use an old cliche. Icelanders take long vacations, some up to 4 weeks in the summer!

Is it illegal to have a dog in Iceland?

Dogs are forbidden

Strictly speaking, it is forbidden to own dogs in Iceland. In 1971, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavík, but 13 years later the rules were changed, and people could own dogs if both owner and dog met a few conditions.

How is life in Iceland?

Iceland’s people enjoy excellent medical care, are welleducated, and earn good incomes. Under these conditions, most people can expect to have long, healthy, and productive lives. In only four other countries can people expect to live longer than do the residents of Iceland.

Is it good to work in Iceland?

That said, there are a number of reasons why foreigners should consider working in Iceland. The country has one of most impressive unemployment rates in Europe (3.7% in January 2020). Iceland is also the most peaceful country in the world – a title it has held since 2008, according to the Global Peace Index 2019.

Is living in Iceland expensive?

According to data derived from Numbeo.com, Iceland is the world’s 4th most expensive country to live. … The costs of living in Iceland, including groceries, transportation, restaurants and utilities, are, according to the infographic, 2.14% higher than in New York.

What is the minimum wage in Iceland?

Because Iceland does not have a minimum wage, there is no mandatory minimum rate of pay for workers in Iceland.

Which countries have a 4-day working week?

Japan. This year, the Japanese government announced a plan to achieve a better work-life balance across the nation. As part of the new economic policy guidelines, employees can opt to work four days a week instead of five.

How long is the work week in Iceland?

Iceland did the trials partly because people were reporting relatively long working hours, averaging 44.4 hours per week – the third highest of Eurostat countries in 2018.

Is it possible to work 4 days a week?

Allowing employees to work four days a week can help increase productivity. Employees who work fewer hours per week tend to be more productive compared to their overworked counterparts. For better results, it is better to compress, rather than extend employees’ work hours when implementing a four-day workweek.

What is the average income in Iceland in US dollars?

Iceland Annual Household Income per Capita reached 56,042.238 USD in Dec 2019, compared with the previous value of 61,319.934 USD in Dec 2018. Iceland Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1990 to Dec 2019, with an averaged value of 35,518.865 USD.

Is it expensive to live in Iceland?

According to data derived from Numbeo.com, Iceland is the world’s 4th most expensive country to live. … The costs of living in Iceland, including groceries, transportation, restaurants and utilities, are, according to the infographic, 2.14% higher than in New York.

How much is average rent in Iceland?

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Reykjavík is ISK 130,000 (USD 990, EUR 920) per month. This website offers information on the cost of renting an apartment. The figures show the price per square meter in various parts of the country.

What are the cons of living in Iceland?

  • SAFETY. It’s generally an extremely safe country. …
  • ISOLATION. Well, Iceland is an island. …
  • THE WEATHER. Iceland’s known for its unpredictable weather. …
  • EVERYTHING’S EXPENSIVE. High salaries, high costs of living. …
  • LIMITED RANGE OF PRODUCTS. …
  • POOR QUALITY OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. …
  • DIFFICULT LANGUAGE.

What should you avoid in Iceland?


What NOT to Do in Iceland: Tourist Traps and Stuff to Avoid

  • Don’t do things just because everyone else is doing it. …
  • Don’t assume that everything you’ll do in Iceland will be expensive. …
  • Don’t tip. …
  • Don’t buy bottled water. …
  • Don’t expect that you can see everything during your stay. …
  • Don’t get speeding tickets!

Why are dogs banned Iceland?

Dogs. In 1924, Reykjavik banned locals from having dogs as pets in an attempt to control the spread of a disease. The ban was enforced to minimise the risk of locals being affected by the outbreak of echinococcosis, a type of tapeworm spreading on the island.

Is Iceland pet friendly?

Dogs/Cats can only be imported to Iceland from an approved exporting country. You must obtain an import license issued by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) before the animal travels to the country.

What dog breeds are banned in Iceland?

For the record, English bull terriers are not the only dog breed banned in Iceland. It is also illegal to import Pit Bull Terriers, Fila Brasileiros, Toso Inus, Dogo Argentinos and dogs crossbred with wolves.

Is Iceland a good place to live?

Safe and clean. Iceland has a low crime rate, with violent crimes practically non-existent. In fact, Icelandic police do not carry guns, and the country tops the IEP’s Global Peace Index. … A diet rich in fish, fresh air and water have helped Icelanders reach an average life expectancy at birth of 83 years!

Is it good living in Iceland?

Iceland might appear to lots of people as a country that’s perfect – high salaries, widespread tolerance and a beautiful nature. And that’s true! It’s a wonderful country to live in. … The nature is the main reason why people come here.