Icelandic nationality law
| Icelandic Nationality Act Lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt | |
|---|---|
| Althing | |
| Citation | 1952 nr. 100 |
| Territorial extent | Iceland |
| Enacted by | Lower House |
| Enacted | 23 December 1952 |
| Enacted by | Upper House |
| Enacted | 12 December 1952 |
| Commenced | 1 January 1953 |
| Administered by | Ministry of Justice |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Lower House | |
| First reading | 2 October 1952 |
| Second reading | 26 November 1952 |
| Second chamber: Upper House | |
| Second reading | 9 December 1952 |
| Status: Amended | |
legislature, enacted_by.The primary law governing nationality of Iceland is the Icelandic Nationality Act (Icelandic: Lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt), which came into force on 1 January 1953. Iceland is a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). All Icelandic nationals are entitled to free movement rights in European Union (EU) and EFTA countries.
Any person born within Iceland to at least one Icelandic parent receives citizenship at birth. Children born overseas are also Icelandic citizens if they are born to a married Icelandic parent, or to an unmarried Icelandic mother. Individuals born to an unmarried Icelandic father are eligible to acquire citizenship by registration before age 18. Foreign nationals may naturalise after meeting a minimum residence requirement (seven years), demonstrating proficiency in the Icelandic language, proving financial self-sufficiency, and passing a good character requirement with supporting testimonials from two Icelandic citizens.
All Icelandic citizens have an Icelandic ID number and are entitled to an Icelandic passport and Icelandic identity card, provided that they do not have a legal travel ban imposed on them.