Moving to Greenland from Iceland

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Iceland to Greenland — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Iceland to Greenland, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
159 ↓ 2% vs 2015

people born in Iceland live in Greenland · UN DESA

Who's moving to Greenland?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Iceland to Greenland.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

IS
1.1
GL
5.4

Iceland performs 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

IS
8.5t
GL
10.5t

Iceland performs 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

IS
38.2
GL
31.7
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

IS
100.0%
GL
69.5%

Iceland performs 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

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

IS
$66,500
GL
$68,100

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

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

IS
1.6
GL
8.8

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 Iceland and Greenland. To live, work, or study long-term in Greenland, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Greenland'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 Greenland?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Greenland has 31.7 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Greenland safe for expats?

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

What language do they speak in Greenland?

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

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At a Glance

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