Website to Attract Foreign Experts

A new website, meant to facilitate the relocation process for foreign experts wishing to work in Iceland, was launched Tuesday. The website, called Work in Iceland, was officially launched by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir. She did so at the offices of Alvotech in Reykjavík.

In a press release, the website is described as “a big step toward attracting foreign specialists to Iceland for specialty and high-tech jobs.” It is a cooperation between Promote Iceland, the Federation of Icelandic Industries (SI), and the Ministry of Industries and Innovation.

The goal is to introduce Iceland as an ideal place for living and working in an effort to attract educated people with various expertise to the country. The website includes information regarding the process of applying for a work permit and a residence permit, in addition to information on insurance and taxes. The advantages of living in Iceland, not least for families, are detailed.

“It is of major importance for Icelandic industries to attract competent people. That would lead to more participation in innovation and value creation, which benefits all of us,” Þórdís remarked.

Sigurður Hannesson, CEO of the Federation of Icelandic Industries pointed out that high-tech and software companies face the challenge of a lack of specialized knowledge, which can hamper their growth. “This project is a milestone in terms of getting rid of that hindrance,” he stated.

Árni Harðarson, assistant director of Alvogen and board member at Alvotech, called Work in Iceland “an essential source of data for Alvotech – a biopharmaceutical company which must attract many foreign specialists to develop its products.

“A website such as this one is necessary for people to obtain information about the advantages of living and working in Iceland,” noted Pétur Þ. Óskarsson, director of Promote Iceland.

The website lists five good reasons for working in Iceland: a work-life balance, a family-friendly workplace, gender equality at work, easygoing business environment, and strong unions.

For more information, you can visit Work in Iceland here.