Iceland to Change Rules for Ukrainian Asylum

2026-02-10 - 11:08

Iceland’s government is preparing legislative changes that would alter the long-term residency status of Ukrainians granted protection under special emergency measures introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As reported by RÚV, the Minister of Justice, Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, has announced plans to submit a bill that would prevent Ukrainians who arrived under the Mass Migration Act from automatically qualifying for permanent residence permits. Without legal changes, eligibility for indefinite residence would be triggered next year, five years after the first arrivals. What's the Story? A bill announced by the Minister of Justice would prevent Ukrainians protected under the Mass Migration Act from automatically receiving permanent residence permits Nearly 6,400 Ukrainians have applied for asylum in Iceland since February 2022, with the resident population rising from about 470 to more than 4,200 Under the proposal, Ukrainians wishing to stay after the war would need to apply through the standard residence permit process Directorate of Immigration. Photo: Golli. Residence permits reviewed Since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, nearly 6,400 Ukrainians have applied for asylum in Iceland. Applications from Ukrainian nationals accounted for just over 60% of all asylum requests last year, with almost 1,100 out of more than 1,700 cases. Over the past four years, the Ukrainian population in Iceland has risen from around 470 to more than 4,200. Under current rules, applications from Ukrainians are processed through a simplified framework designed for mass displacement, rather than the standard asylum procedure. The minister said the proposed changes aim to align Icelandic policy with other European states. “We are harmonizing regulations with what is common in the Nordic countries and have actually been looking at the European Union as a whole. Of course, our position remains unchanged that Ukrainians are very welcome to Iceland during the war. But the ideology is that people are on the basis of fleeing during the war, but that does not automatically result in a permanent residence permit as a result,” says Þorbjörg. Under the proposal, those wishing to remain after the war would need to apply through the standard residence system. “But at some point this terrible war will end. Then, of course, the ideology is that people will be able and willing to return home,” says Þorbjörg.