Arrival
There are several practical issues and formalities that have to be considered and dealt with when planning to move to the Faroe Islands.
Getting here
The Faroe Islands have good connections to mainland Europe by air and by sea.
There are several daily flights to the Faroe Islands from Copenhagen (Denmark) and regular flights from other destinations in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, UK, and Southern Europe.
There is a direct ferry link to Hirtshals (Denmark) throughout the year and to Seyðisfjørður (Iceland) from mid March to late November.
Registration
Nordic citizens
Nordic citizens who intend to stay less than 6 months in the Faroe Islands do not have to register. Nordic citizens who stay for more than 6 months must register at their local municipality within 5 days after moving.
Non Nordic citizens
All Non Nordic citizens who move to the Faroe Islands must register at their local municipality within five days of moving. Non Nordic citizens must have a valid residence permit in order to register in the Faroe Islands.
Access to services
Civil Registration Number
All individuals registered in the Faroe Islands will be given a personal Faroese Civil Registration Number (p-number). The p-number is the key to a range of actions in the Faroese society, such as receiving health services, opening a bank account and paying taxes. Nordic citizens who are not registered can obtain a provisional p-number from the Faroese Tax Agency (TAKS).
Digital login and signature
Everyone over the age of 13 with a Faroese p-number can get a digital login and signature (Samleikin) which can be used to access information and handle communication with public authorities and several private entities, including online banking.
Removal goods
Removal goods can be sent to the Faroe Islands as freight by sea or by air. Several Faroese freight companies offer a door to door transport of personal belongings to the Faroe Islands.
Removal companies normally have limited responsibility and most travel insurances do not cover removal goods. A removal insurance can be obtained through the removal company or from an insurance company.
Customs
Personal belongings imported to the Faroe Islands are exempt from tax and duty, on the condition that the owner is indeed moving his domicile to the Faroe Islands and giving up his foreign domicile.
Belongings imported as removal goods exempt from tax and duty must have been owned and used by the person moving or his household for at least 6 months. Food items, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages cannot be imported as removal goods exempt from tax and duty.
The entitlement to import removal goods exempt from tax and duty lapses one year after moving.
Driving
A vehicle registered abroad can be used without registering in the Faroe Islands if the owner is planning to stay for less than one year.
Import of vehicle
When moving to the Faroe Islands, one motorised vehicle can be imported as removal goodsexempt from tax and duty. The vehicle must be intended solely for the owner’s personal use.
A vehicle imported as removal goods must be registered with the Faroese Vehicle Administration (Akstovan), within the first two weeks after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Before being registered the car will be inspected by Akstovan.
The owner of the car must pay a registration fee and take out an insurance before the vehicle gets a license plate.
An insurance covering damages to the property of others is mandatory. Insurance covering loss or damage to your own car is optional.
Driving licences
Driving licences issued in a Nordic or EU country are valid in the Faroe Islands and do not have to be exchanged for a Faroese driving licence.
Driving licenses issued in other countries must be exchanged for a Faroese licence if the driver stays in the Faroe Islands for more than 180 days. Before receiving a Faroese licence the driver has to pass a driving test.
Pets
Bringing a dog or a cat to the Faroe Islands requires an import permit from the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority (Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan).
In order to receive an import permit the pet must have a health certificate from a veterinarian which confirms that the dog or cat is healthy and has received all required treatments against parasites. The health certificate must not be older than 2 days at the time of departure for the Faroe Islands.
The dog or cat must be microchipped with an ID and vaccinated against a number of diseases at least 4 weeks before arriving in the Faroe Islands.
A fee will be charged for the import permit and inspection carried out by the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority.
Only people with permanent residence in the Faroe Islands, or people moving to the Faroe Islands, may import pets to the Faroe Islands.
As a general rule, it is prohibited to import exotic and dangerous animals to the Faroe Islands.