Moving to Iceland from Greenland

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Greenland to Iceland? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Greenland to Iceland, and you’d need to navigate life in Icelandic.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Greenland to Iceland.

Living there in 2020
82 ↑ 26% vs 2015

people born in Greenland live in Iceland · UN DESA

Who's moving to Iceland?

Top countries of origin for Iceland's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Iceland compared to Greenland.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

GL
5.4
IS
1.1

Iceland performs significantly better than Greenland across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GL
10.5t
IS
8.5t

Iceland performs significantly better than Greenland across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GL
31.7
IS
38.2
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

GL
69.5%
IS
100.0%

Iceland performs significantly better than Greenland across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GL
9.1%
IS
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GL
$68,100
IS
$66,500

Iceland generally does better on employment & economy, though Greenland leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GL
74.0 yrs
IS
83.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GL
8.8
IS
1.6

Iceland generally does better on family life, though Greenland leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Greenland and Iceland. To live, work, or study long-term in Iceland, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Iceland's immigration authority.

Iceland passport

Iceland passport holder visiting Greenland

Visa Free
Iceland passport holders can enter Greenland without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Iceland?

Connectivity is usually fine (Iceland: 38.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Iceland offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Iceland safe for expats?

Iceland performs significantly better than Greenland across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Iceland is 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.4 in Greenland.

What language do they speak in Iceland?

The official language in Iceland is Icelandic. In Greenland, the official language is Greenlandic.

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At a Glance

GL IS
Population 57,792 357,603
Currency Danish Krone (DKK) Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Languages Greenlandic Icelandic
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +299 +354
Time zones 4 1
Emergency number 112