Permanent Residency in Iceland: A few days ago, we read news that the Icelandic government has begun granting citizenship to Indians. Let us explain the truth behind this news.

Iceland permanent residency: In October 2025, several Indian media platforms and social media pages claimed that Iceland was offering Indians the opportunity to obtain permanent residency, with a fee of just ₹12,000. The news quickly went viral on Instagram. While the news is rooted in truth, it missed several important details. This amount represents only the application fee, not the entire process. Similarly, several other important details were also omitted.

What does the Icelandic government say?

According to Iceland's immigration authority, permanent residency is an option for foreign nationals. However, it's not the same as simply inviting someone to live there. Certain conditions must be met, such as legal residence in Iceland for at least four years, and three years if married to an Icelandic citizen. Proof of a stable and sufficient income must be provided. Passing an Icelandic language course or test is also required, along with a clean criminal record and proof of housing and health insurance. This means this is a path from temporary residency to permanent residency, not directly for those traveling from India.

Where did the fee of Rs 12,000 come from?

Now the question arises: where did the mention of 12,000 rupees come from? The 12,000 rupees mentioned in this viral claim is actually the application fee. According to Iceland's official fee list, the online application fee is approximately 16,000 ISK, which translates to between 11,500 and 12,000 rupees in Indian rupees. If applying by paper or through an agent, the fee may be slightly higher, around 22,000 ISK, or approximately 16,000 rupees. However, this is only the processing fee; the actual costs of settling there are much higher.

Who can apply?

This is where this viral news is misleading. The reality is that only those who already hold an Icelandic work permit, student visa, or family residence permit, who have lived there legally for four consecutive years, who have a stable job and sufficient income, and who have met the language and social integration requirements can apply. Simply put, the door to direct PR is not open to anyone in India.

It's not so easy to stay.

We often think that life in Europe is better, that people are having a great time. But that's not the case. Those who actually get the opportunity to live there face many challenges, such as high inflation. Food, housing, and electricity are many times more expensive than in India. There's a language barrier, and learning Icelandic is essential to fit into jobs and society. The job market is small, and most jobs are skilled or seasonal. The cold weather and long winters can make adjustment difficult. However, the beauty, security, and social welfare system make Iceland one of the best countries in the world. Now, let's talk about whether Iceland really offers PR to Indians. The short and simple answer is no. The Icelandic government has not launched any special scheme for Indians. The ₹12,000 is just a processing fee, applicable to every eligible applicant. Yes, only Indians who are already studying or working in Iceland and have been living there legally for several years can apply for PR with this fee.