If you are a non-Nordic citizen, you can move to the Faroe Islands either with a family reunification permit or a work permit. You can read more about the requirements here: family reunification, work permit.

If you are a Nordic citizen, you do not need a permit to move.

If you are from Ukraine, please read here for information and conditions on moving to the Faroe Islands.

Upon receiving your permit, you must register at your residing municipality to receive your civil registration number, p-tal.

You must have a civil registration number in order to open a bank account and to receive wages or salary through the Faroese tax system and to access social welfare and health services.

For information about learning about Faroese society, language and work, click here.

A work permit is granted based on the job you have been employed to do, while a family reunification permit is granted because you have close relatives or are in a relationship.

Read more about family reunification permit.

Work permit holders have more conditions to follow, such as minimum working hours and employment limited to what is specified in the contract.

Read more about work permit.

As a work permit holder, your permit is valid only for the employer specified in the contract. It does not allow you to work for other employers.

You can apply for a sideline employment permit in addition to your work permit if the sideline work is 8-15 hours and the work is related to your primary employment under the permit.

Read more about sideline employment permit.

You must inform the Immigration Office if you lose your job. Your work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job.

If you find a new job while working in the Faroe Islands, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment. You are not allowed to start the new job before you have been granted a new permit.

Read more about work permit.

Please read about permanent residence permit here.

If you need to stay outside the Faroe Islands for longer than specified in your permit, you can apply for a dispensation if you meet the conditions.

Read more about dispensations.

If you are leaving the Faroe Islands permanently, there are practical matters you must take care of before leaving.

1. Deregister Your Address:

• You must report your departure to the National Registration Office (Landsfólkayvirlitið) if:
  • You will be gone for more than six months. (Note: Holidays in the Faroe Islands during this time don't count as returning.)
  • You will be gone for less than six months but sublet or rent out your residence. This is known as giving up the right of disposal.
• If you live in Tórshavn municipality, you can report your departure online via Vangin here.
• If you live in another municipality, report your departure at your local municipality office.

2. Social Security:

• When you move abroad and deregister from the Faroese National Civil Register, you lose your rights to social security in the Faroe Islands.
• Check the social rights available in your new country before moving.

3. Notify TAKS (Faroese Tax Agency):

• Your job and place of residence determine where you pay income taxes after leaving the Faroe Islands.
• Contact TAKS at +298 35 26 00 after you’ve deregistered to understand your tax obligations and submit any necessary documents.

4. Deregister Children from School or Childcare:

• Notify your children’s school, after-school center, kindergarten, or nursery about your move. Written notice is often required two months in advance.
• Some municipalities allow digital deregistration. In Tórshavn, you can do this via the digital self-service BARN here.

5. Report Your Electricity and Heating Consumption:

• Read your meters before moving and inform your providers. If you don’t, you may be responsible for the consumption until the next resident registers, which could lead to higher bills.

6. Bank and Insurance:

• Notify your bank about your move and ask about keeping your account open for a year to handle reimbursements like utilities or taxes.
• TAKS advises not to close your Faroese bank account until after receiving your holiday allowance in May.
• Contact your insurance company about coverage during relocation and to terminate your policies.

7. Termination of Lease and Deposit Reimbursement:

• Tenants usually pay a deposit at the start of a lease to cover repairs beyond normal wear and tear.
• When moving out, you must leave the rental in the same condition as when you moved in, often including cleaning and painting. A formal agreement with your landlord at the start of the tenancy, including pictures, can help avoid disputes.
• You are entitled to reimbursement of the deposit minus repair costs. Any surplus utility payments will also be refunded.

8. Holiday Allowance:

• You are entitled to your holiday allowance even if you leave the Faroe Islands or stop working for a Faroese employer without taking a holiday.
• TAKS advises keeping your Faroese bank account open until after the holiday allowance is paid in May.