According to the latest statistics, immigrants in Iceland make up 16.8% of the population. High earnings and good working conditions encourage foreigners to leave for this country, which is why this number is increasing every year. The largest group of immigrants on the island are the Polish people – about 7% of the population! If you live and work in Iceland, be sure to check when are the days off and holidays in Iceland in 2023.
Jobs in Iceland
Most of the job vacancies you will find in the following sectors:
- fishing
- tourism
- agriculture
- construction
- gastronomy
- mechanics / automotive
Remember that Icelandic employers start the recruitment process well in advance. Therefore, it is worth starting the search for seasonal jobs in Iceland in January-February. And if you are looking for a permanent job, we recommend starting your search in the fall. Regardless of the period or season, you can always check the latest job offers from Iceland on our portal – europa.jobs.
You can also search for job offers through EURES (European Employment Services) and on local job portals, e.g.:
Days off and holidays in Iceland 2023
People working in Iceland are entitled to 2 days of leave for every month worked, which gives 24 days of vacation per year. Each day of leave is at a premium, so it is worth planning your leave so that it coincides with holidays and weekends. There are 13 public holidays in Iceland. Below are the exact dates for 2023.
| Holiday | Date (2023) |
| New Year | January 1 (Sunday) |
| Holy Thursday | April 6 |
| Good Friday | April 7 |
| Easter Monday | April 10 |
| The First Day of Summer | April 21 (Friday) |
| Ascension Day / Labor Day | May 1 (Monday) |
| Pentecost | May 29 (Monday) |
| National Day | June 17 (Saturday) |
| Bank Holiday (Trader’s Day) | August 1 (Tuesday) |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 (Sunday) |
| Christmas | December 25 (Monday) |
| Second day of Christmas | December 26 (Tuesday) |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31 (Sunday) |
Attention! Christmas Eve is a public holiday, but only after 12:00. Leaving work earlier is a nod to the employee, who can devote this time to preparing for the Christmas Eve dinner.
National Day of Iceland
Since June 17, 1944, a holiday commemorating the regaining of independence and being independent from Danish influence has been celebrated. According to tradition, the celebration begins with the ringing of the bells of the Dómkirkja cathedral. On this day, a parade, wreath-laying ceremonies and speeches are organized, as well as numerous concerts and events.
The First Day of Summer
The date of this holiday always falls on the first Thursday after April 18. The first day of summer (Sumardagurinn fyrsti) used to be the contractual first day of the year. On its basis, local farmers calculated their age. On this day, people refrained from working on the farm in order to rest and read national stories together. In many homes, the tradition of giving gifts on the occasion of Sumardagurinn fyrsti has also been preserved.
How to find and take up a job in Iceland?
Days off and holidays in Iceland – how to plan a vacation in 2023?
Are you wondering how to save vacation days in 2023? Here we suggest!
- April 3 – 10 (from Monday to Monday – 3 days of leave, 3 statutory days off from work, weekend);
- April 20 – 24 (from Thursday to Monday – 2 days of leave, 1 statutory day off from work, weekend);
- April 28 – May 1 (from Friday to Monday – 1 day of leave, weekend, 1 statutory day off from work);
- May 26 – 29 (from Friday to Monday – 1 day of leave, weekend, 1 statutory day off from work);
- July 29 – August 1 (from Saturday to Tuesday – weekend, 1 day of leave, 1 statutory day off from work);
- December 23 – January 1 (from Saturday to Monday – weekend, 5 statutory days off from work, 3 days of leave).
