Employees and self-employed individuals aged 18-70 are entitled to receive unemployment benefits providing that they have earned insurance cover and meet the conditions of the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Labour Market Measures Act. The conditions are such as: being unemployed, being domiciled in Iceland and being within the country while actively seeking employment. Also, being fit for work and prepared to take any job.
To apply for unemployment benefits, a person must should register on the first day they are without a job (full employment or part-time) and are starting to look for new work. The unemployment benefits are paid from the date when the first registration is done.
To apply for unemployment benefits and find more information, please visit the website of the Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun; VMS).