U1 - Insurance in the EEA countries
Unemployment insurance from Iceland
If you intend to move to another EEA state, you are able to obtain a certificate that you are entitled to unemployment insurance in Iceland. It is therefore possible to transfer earned unemployment insurance rights between European countries. This is done by applying for a U1 certificate from The Directorate of Labour in the country where you intend to live.
The process is electronic, where service offices exchange information about employment history and entitlements.
Please note that some countries require work in the country of residence to activate the U1 certificate.
Unemployment insurance from other EEA states
If you intend to seek employment in Iceland and apply for unemployment benefits, you can obtain a confirmation that you have been insured for unemployment in another EEA state with a U1 certificate and thus increase your right to unemployment benefits in Iceland. To qualify to receive the confirmation, you must have been an employee or self-employed and taxes and insurance fees have been paid from your salary.
In order for The Directorate of Labour to be able to calculate insurance and employment periods in another EEA state, the jobseeker must have worked in Iceland after arriving in Iceland and accrued at least a 25% unemployment benefit entitlement. If you have not worked in Iceland since you arrived in the country and before you apply for unemployment benefits, The Directorate of Labour cannot take into consideration your employment period according to a U1 certificate to increase your right to unemployment benefits in Iceland.
Please note that jobseekers are not required to apply for a U1 certificate unless they have become unemployed and intend to remain in Iceland and receive unemployment benefits while seeking employment.
Employment history in another Nordic country used to accrue unemployment benefits in Iceland - U1
If you intend to seek employment in Iceland, you can obtain a confirmation that you have been insured for unemployment in another Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Norway or Sweden) with a U1 certificate and thus increase your right to unemployment benefits in Iceland. To qualify to receive the confirmation, you must have been an employee or self-employed and taxes and insurance fees have been paid from your salary.
In order for the Directorate of Labour to be able to calculate insurance and employment periods in another Nordic country, the jobseeker must have worked in Iceland for at least three months in a 25% employment ratio at some point in the last five years before applying for unemployment benefits.
Please note that jobseekers are not required to apply for a U1 certificate unless they have become unemployed and intend to remain in Iceland and receive unemployment benefits while seeking employment.
