Britons in Iceland
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 1,800 (born in the United Kingdom; est. 2024–2026) | |
| Languages | |
| English · Icelandic | |
| Religion | |
| Irreligion · Protestantism (including Church of England) · Others |
Britons form a small but longstanding community of immigrants and expatriates in Iceland. According to Statistics Iceland, there were approximately 1,700–2,000 people born in the United Kingdom living in the country in recent years. While significantly smaller than larger immigrant groups such as Poles, the British community has historical and cultural ties to Iceland dating back centuries.
History
Connections between the British Isles and Iceland trace back to the Viking Age settlement period (9th–10th centuries), when Norse settlers brought people—often women—from Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of the British Isles. Genetic studies show substantial Celtic maternal ancestry in the Icelandic population.
In the 15th century, during what some historians call the "English Age," English merchants and fishing fleets were prominent in Icelandic waters, trading for stockfish and establishing seasonal stations, particularly in places like Hafnarfjörður. This period involved both commerce and occasional tensions with local authorities and other European traders.[1]
During WW2 Iceland was occupied by British and later American forces following the fall of Denmark, British forces helped build roads and airfields including Reykjavik airport, by July 1941, there were over 25,000 British troops on the island. During the war many Icelandic women had relations with allied soldiers resulting in many pregnancies, typically in Iceland they are referred to as Ástandið.
Modern migration increased in the late 20th century. In the 1980s–1990s, the United Kingdom was among the top origin countries for immigrants to Iceland, alongside other Nordic nations and the United States. Britons arrived for work in various sectors, education, and personal reasons. Migration continued steadily but at a modest scale compared to post-2004 Eastern European inflows. Post-Brexit (after 2020), British citizens lost automatic EEA free-movement rights and now require visas or residence permits for longer stays, though pre-2021 residents retain certain protections under the UK-EEA EFTA Separation Agreement.[2]
Life in Iceland
The British community in Iceland is generally well-integrated, aided by the widespread use of English in business, tourism, and daily life many Icelanders speak English as well as decline language. Many Britons work in tourism, education, creative industries, technology, finance, or specialized professional roles. Others have moved for lifestyle reasons, drawn to Iceland's nature, safety, and quality of life. Most live in and around Reykjavik.
British expatriates often participate in expat networks such as InterNations and various Facebook groups, which organize social events, pub nights, and support for newcomers. While Icelanders are generally welcoming, the small size of Icelandic society can make forming deep local friendships challenging for some outsiders, leading many expats to maintain strong ties within the international community.[3]
Culturally, Britons in Iceland consume British media, celebrate traditions like Guy Fawkes Night or St. Patrick's Day in social settings, and maintain connections to the UK. Some families send children to the International School of Iceland,[4] which follows a British-style curriculum. Dual citizenship is recognized, allowing many to hold both British and Icelandic passports.
Many British secondary schools take school trips to Iceland.
Notable people
- Damon Albarn (b. 1968), British musician, singer-songwriter and producer, best known as the frontman of the bands Blur and Gorillaz. He has been granted Icelandic citizenship and maintains strong cultural and artistic ties to Iceland through collaborations with local musicians and extended periods spent in the country.
- Barbara Árnason (19 April 1911 – 1975), English-born Icelandic artist.
- Alyson Bailes (1949–2021), British diplomat and academic. She served as the British Ambassador to Finland and taught political science at the university of Iceland.
- Oliver Kentish, British conductor and musician who has lived and worked in Iceland since 1977, and was granted Icelandic nationality in 1989.
- Viktor Jensen (born 30 December 1987) an Icelandic racing driver.
See also
References
- ↑ S, Valur (2025-05-15). "Discover Iceland and UK History: Viking Roots to Modern Relations". Your Friend in Reykjavik. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
- ↑ Sigurjonsdottir, Timothy Heleniak and Hjördis Rut (2018-04-16). "Once Homogenous, Tiny Iceland Opens Its Doors to Immigrants". migrationpolicy.org. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
- ↑ "Brits in Iceland - Find Jobs, Events & other Expats". InterNations. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
- ↑ Area, International School of Iceland (ISI) | Reykjavik. "International School of Iceland (ISI) | Reykjavik Area". International School of Iceland (ISI) | Reykjavik Area. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
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