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 several other destinations in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, UK, and Southern Europe.
Read more: Atlantic Airways SAS Widerøe
There is a direct ferry link to Hirtshals (Denmark) and Seyðisfjørður (Iceland) throughout the year. The ferry Norrøna has one weekly departure to Denmark in the low and mid season and two weekly departures in the high season. It has one weekly departure to Iceland all year.
Read more: Smyril Line
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.
Read more: Report your entry - Tórshavn Municipality
Digital key
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 key and mailbox
Everyone over the age of 13 with a Faroese p-number can get a digital login and signature (Samleikin) and private and secure mailbox (Mínboks) 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.
List of removal companies: Removal companies.
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 before moving to the Faroe Islands. 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.
Read more: Faroese Tax Agency (TAKS)
When moving to the Faroe Islands for a longer period, you may have to register your car and exchange your driver`s licence.
Import of vehicle
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.
When moving to the Faroe Islands, one motorised vehicle can be imported as removal goods exempt from tax and duty. The vehicle must be intended solely for the owner’s personal use. If the ownership of the vehicle is transferred to another owner within the first year after it has been registered with a Faroese registration number, it will be subject to tax and duty according to the general import rules.
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 the Faroese Vehicle Administration.
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.
There are two insurance companies in the Faroe Islands:
Betri Trygging (in Faroese)
Trygd (in Faroese)
All motor vehicles registered in the Faroe Islands must pay a tax based on weight and type of usage and fuel twice a year.
Read more:
Tax and Customs Office
Faroese Vehicle Administration (in Faroese)
Driving licence
Driving licences issued in Norway, Iceland, and EU countries are valid in the Faroe Islands. Persons with a driving licence issued in one of these countries do not have to exchange their licence for a Faroese driving licence but may do so if they wish without passing a new driving test.
Persons with a driving licence issued in other counries can drive a vehicle in the Faroe Islands for 180 days without exchanging their licence. After this they have to pass a driving test before exchanging their licence for a Faroese driving licence.
Read more:
Faroese Vehicle Administration (in Faroese)
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.
Read instructions and find application form for import of dogs: Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority
Driving
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.
List of insurance companies: Betri Trygging (in Faroese) Trygd (in Faroese)
All motor vehicles registered in the Faroe Islands must pay atax based on weight and type of usage and fuel twice a year.
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.
Read more: Tax and Customs Office Faroese Vehicle Administration (in Faroese)
Driving licences
Driving licences issued in Norway, Iceland, and EU countries are valid in the Faroe Islands and do not have to be exchanged for a Faroese driving licence.
Persons with a driving licence issued in other counries can drive a vehicle in the Faroe Islands for 180 days without exchanging their licence. After this they have to pass a driving test before exchanging their licence for a Faroese driving licence.
Read more:
Faroese Vehicle Administration (in Faroese)