Doctoral candidate and Icelandic teacher required to take language test
Roberto Luigi Pagani's in-laws have more than 600 sheep in East Iceland. Composite image/Courtesy/mbl.is/Hari
An adjunct lecturer in Icelandic as a second language at the University of Iceland, who is also pursuing a doctorate in Icelandic linguistics, has been told that he cannot be granted Icelandic citizenship unless he proves his Icelandic proficiency by taking an official test. The Directorate of Immigration does not consider the documentation he has provided sufficient proof of his language skills.
The scholar in question, Roberto Luigi Pagani from Italy, first came to Iceland in 2014 to study medieval Icelandic studies at the University of Iceland, completing his master’s degree the following year. Since then, he has obtained an additional diploma in higher education teaching and is now working on his PhD in Icelandic linguistics.
Recognition from the Minister of Education
In 2024, Pagani published a selection of Icelandic folktales translated into Italian from Jón Árnason’s collection. To mark the occasion, then Minister of Education Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir sent him a letter, praising the work as a unique cultural bridge between Iceland and Italy.
Pagani also sits on the board of the Icelandic-Italian Chamber of Commerce, where all other members are Icelandic and all meetings are conducted entirely in Icelandic.
“Every foreigner knows that this Icelandic test is just a joke," says Roberto. Photo/Courtesy
Application met with bureaucracy
Pagani applied for Icelandic citizenship in March of last year. Today, he finally received a response — a message from the Directorate of Immigration requesting additional documents.
Despite having access to information about his education and a letter of support from Haraldur Bernharðsson , an associate professor at the university, stating that Pagani has studied Icelandic extensively, the Directorate insists that he must pass the official Icelandic test required for citizenship applicants.
The problem is timing. Pagani has been given 15 days to comply, starting today, but the next scheduled test, run by the Center for Education and School Services, will not take place until November.
If he fails to meet the deadline, the Directorate will decide on his application based only on the documents currently on file.
Letters not enough
Pagani explains that while he understands the rules and bureaucracy, there is a possibility to request an exemption from the test. He had already submitted a detailed letter from his professor, who has been his advisor both now and during his earlier studies in medieval Icelandic.
“The letter explained everything — how much I have taught, what I have studied, and that all our communication over the last ten years has been entirely in Icelandic. But that wasn’t considered enough to grant an exemption,” he says.
“Everyone knows the test is just a formality”
Pagani says he knows of others in similar situations, including teachers — even Icelandic language teachers — at the university.
What frustrates him most is the inconsistency. He knows many people who have been granted citizenship without speaking any Icelandic at all.
“Every foreigner knows that this Icelandic test is just a formality. It’s the easiest part of the process. You just pay the fee, show up, and say something — anything. Then it’s approved.”
Helping with sheep roundups while waiting
Adding to his difficulties, Pagani is currently in East Iceland helping his in-laws with the autumn sheep roundups.
“We had Fossrétt today, and Skaftárrétt is tomorrow. My in-laws have around 600 sheep, and there must be at least a thousand lambs. It’s a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” says the Italian scholar, speaking fluent Icelandic.
Pagani now plans to ask the head of his department to write another letter confirming that he teaches Icelandic linguistics at the university level.
He hopes this additional documentation will be enough to break through the bureaucratic barriers and finally resolve his application.
