Iceland citizenship test: requirements and civics quiz
Iceland has no published official citizenship test question list. This page explains what naturalisation requires, links to the official source, and offers a free 22-question general civics quiz for learning. The quiz is not an official exam.
Start practising
Is there an official Iceland citizenship test? We have not found a published official question list. Naturalisation requirements are summarised below with a link to the official source. The quiz on this page is a general civics quiz for learning and is not linked to any official process.
Does Iceland have a citizenship test? How naturalisation works
Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
Iceland has no citizenship knowledge test. There is no exam on history, politics or society. What applicants must pass is an Icelandic language test, the Íslenskupróf vegna umsóknar um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt, unless they are exempt.
The language test
The test is set and marked by the Directorate of Education and School Services (Miðstöð menntunar og skólaþjónustu) and has four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking, at roughly A1–A2 level, benchmarked to the 240-hour Icelandic curriculum for foreigners. It has been administered through Mímir in Reykjavík, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður, normally twice a year (spring and November), with a non-refundable fee of ISK 40,000 in autumn 2025. Results are pass or fail; about 84% of the 492 candidates passed in November 2024. In March 2026 the Ministry of Justice announced it was selecting a new test provider and that the next date was uncertain, so check island.is before planning.
Exemptions
You do not need the test if you are 65 or over and have lived in Iceland for seven years, if a medical certificate shows you cannot sit it, if you are a child in or below compulsory school, or if you hold an Icelandic school certificate showing the required level.
Residence and other conditions
The general requirement is seven years of residence. Spouses of Icelandic citizens can apply four years after marriage (if the spouse has been a citizen for five years), registered cohabiting partners after five years, Nordic citizens after four, recognised refugees and stateless persons after five, children of Icelandic citizens after two and former citizens after one year; no more than 90 days abroad in any twelve months. You also need a permanent residence permit (unless you are a Nordic or EEA citizen), no unpaid fines or sentences, no municipal financial assistance in the last three years, no tax debts or bankruptcy, and proof of financial means (the reference amount was ISK 259,951 a month from 18 May 2026).
Fees and decision
From 1 January 2026 the application fee is ISK 60,000 per adult and ISK 30,000 per child applying alone. The Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) decides by administrative decision under Article 7 of the Nationality Act, typically within six to eighteen months; in exceptional cases the Althingi grants citizenship by an act of law. Iceland allows dual citizenship.
The quiz below is a general civics quiz about Iceland’s institutions, history and geography for learning; nothing like it is required for citizenship. See also which countries have a citizenship test.
| Official citizenship test | No. Iceland has no published citizenship knowledge test. Naturalisation requirements still apply; see below and the official source. |
|---|---|
| How naturalisation works | There is no civics or knowledge test. Applicants take only an Icelandic language test (Íslenskupróf vegna umsóknar um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt) at roughly A1–A2 level with listening, reading, writing and speaking parts, set by the Directorate of Education and School Services. Fee ISK 40,000 (autumn 2025); normally two sittings a year, although in March 2026 the Ministry of Justice was choosing a new provider and the next date was uncertain. About 84% of candidates passed in November 2024. |
| Language requirement | Icelandic at about A1–A2, benchmarked to the 240-hour curriculum, tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. |
| Who it applies to | Applicants for citizenship by the Directorate of Immigration: 7 years of residence in general; 4 years from marriage for spouses of Icelandic citizens (the spouse must have been a citizen for 5 years); 5 years for registered cohabiting partners, refugees and stateless persons; 4 years for Nordic citizens; 2 years for children of Icelandic citizens; 1 year for former citizens. No more than 90 days abroad per 12 months. |
| Exemptions | From the language test: people aged 65 or over with 7 years of residence, people with a medical certificate showing they cannot sit the test, children in or below compulsory school, and holders of an Icelandic school certificate proving the required level. Iceland allows dual citizenship. |
Topics in the general civics quiz
- Constitution and governmentHead of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.8 questions
- History and national symbolsIndependence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.8 questions
- Geography and societyCapital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.6 questions
- Naturalisation rulesWhat the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.0 questions
Sample questions
Answer: 17 June 1944. The republic was proclaimed at Þingvellir; 17 June is the National Day.
Answer: Hvannadalshnúkur (2,110 m). It stands on the Öræfajökull volcano.
Answer: Four years. The President of Iceland is directly elected by the people for a four-year term.
How to prepare
Book the Icelandic language test as soon as a date is announced; sittings are infrequent and the provider changed in 2026.
Work through the 240-hour curriculum level: everyday listening, reading, writing and speaking at A1–A2.
Check island.is for the current fee (ISK 60,000 from 2026) and the financial-means reference amount before you apply.
Iceland citizenship FAQ
Is there a citizenship test in Iceland?
There is no civics or history test. Applicants must pass an Icelandic language test at roughly A1–A2 level (listening, reading, writing and speaking) unless they are exempt.
How much does the Icelandic citizenship language test cost and when is it held?
ISK 40,000 per sitting, normally twice a year in spring and November. In March 2026 the Ministry of Justice announced it was choosing a new provider and the next date was uncertain, so check island.is.
Who is exempt from the Icelandic language test?
People aged 65 or over who have lived in Iceland for seven years, people with a medical certificate showing they cannot take the test, children in or below compulsory school, and those with an Icelandic school certificate proving the required level.
How long do you have to live in Iceland to become a citizen?
Seven years in general; four years from marriage for spouses of Icelanders, four years for Nordic citizens, five years for refugees and registered cohabiting partners, two years for children of Icelandic citizens.
How much does it cost to apply for Icelandic citizenship and who decides?
From January 2026 the fee is ISK 60,000 per adult (30,000 per child applying alone). The Directorate of Immigration decides; exceptional cases can be granted citizenship by an Act of the Althingi.