Language 
No results found
Volunteering in Iceland: Get ready to go
Help preserve the wilderness by volunteering in Iceland. Discover all the available projects and their requirements.
If you’d like to know how volunteering in Iceland works, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this post, we will explain the necessary steps you need to know. Get ready because you’ll have a unique experience helping in one of the countries with the most impressive and wild landscapes in the world, with waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches, craters, and the Northern Lights.
Learn about the benefits you’ll gain by volunteering, what requirements you need to meet, and what types of volunteer opportunities are available in this country, including their duration, cost, and characteristics. Additionally, we’ll provide some tips to help you stay connected to the internet in this magical country and ensure a safe stay. Your volunteer experience in Iceland is closer than ever!
Why Volunteer in Iceland?
The reason why you should volunteer in Iceland is simple: There’s no country quite like it. You can do volunteer work anywhere in the world, but nothing compares to experiencing and living in this enigmatic land for a while. Helping to keep this country one of the purest and most pristine in the world is an experience we recommend you live at least once in your life. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy the following personal and professional benefits:
- Conservation of Icelandic nature: Iceland is a country with an enviable quality of life surrounded by wild nature, with pristine beaches, glaciers, waterfalls, craters, hot springs, and lava fields. By volunteering here, you’ll help protect this unique environment.
- Experience the hospitality of the locals: Accommodations are in small communities where you’ll live alongside local residents known for their warmth and friendliness towards foreigners. If you’re invited for coffee and traditional pastries like kleina or vínarterta, it means they’re grateful for your efforts.
- Access to restricted areas: Some programmes take you to places where tourists usually can’t go, such as the West Fjords or the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. You’ll have the privilege of enjoying Iceland’s nature in its purest form.
- See the Northern Lights and the midnight sun: Depending on the time of year you travel to Iceland and volunteer, you might witness the Northern Lights or the endless days of Icelandic summer, where night never falls.
- Learn about sustainability: Iceland is a world leader in the use of geothermal energy and natural resources. If you volunteer in this field, you’ll gain knowledge from experts in the area.
Requirements for Volunteering in Iceland
Before starting your journey, you need to learn about the requirements for volunteering in Iceland. While each programme defines its own conditions, the general requirements are usually the same for all volunteer projects in this country. Here’s a list of the most important ones so you can check if you meet them:
- Visa: If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, if you’re from a non-EU country, you’ll need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.
- Residence permit: For volunteer programmes lasting more than three months, you’ll need to obtain a temporary residence permit as a volunteer from the Icelandic embassy in your country.
- Minimum age: Most programmes accept volunteers from the age of 18, some from 20 onwards.
- English level: A basic to intermediate level of English is required, as, although Icelandic is the official language, English is the common language used within the volunteer team.
- Health insurance: It’s mandatory to have international health insurance that covers your entire stay in the country.
- Good physical condition: Some programmes require you to be in good physical shape, like beach cleaning, planting, or trail restoration, which involve standing for long hours and performing constant physical activity.
- Program fees: While some projects are free, others ask for a fee to cover the accommodation and meals of the volunteers.
Choose the Best Internet Connection
If you volunteer in a rural area of Iceland, the coverage may not be stable and secure, so it’s highly recommended to travel with an international data plan such as Holafly’s monthly plans. This way, you’ll have unlimited data, 5G coverage throughout the country, and the ability to connect two devices simultaneously. This is the best option, especially in areas with no Wi-Fi or when assigned to remote locations.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
On the other hand, for short-term volunteering, Holafly’s eSIM for Iceland provides unlimited data only for the days you need it.
3 Best Volunteer Programmes for Iceland
As you’ll see below, almost all volunteer programmes in Iceland focus on nature and environmental conservation, as over 70% of the land is made up of natural, undeveloped areas. This includes glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, mountains, fjords, geothermal areas, black sand beaches, cliffs, and large areas of low vegetation and tundra, so there’s much to protect, care for, and restore.
1. Trailteam – Volunteering on Trails and Wilderness Areas
This volunteer programme in Iceland is coordinated by Land and Forest Iceland (Land og Skógar) and focuses on the country’s nature. The programme aims to protect trails from mass tourism through activities like trail construction, tree planting, and erosion control in areas like Thórsmörk and Goðaland. If you’re interested in landscape restoration and maintaining Icelandic trails, here are the details:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | From 20 years old |
| Duration | 3 to 9 weeks |
| What’s included | Accommodation in tents, meals, and training |
| Price | Free |
Trailteam volunteer programme in Iceland.
2. Iceland Conservation Volunteers (ICV) – Environmental State Agencies
The ICV volunteer programme in Iceland is managed by the country’s Environmental Agency since 1977. The project starts every June and gathers up to 100 volunteers each summer to maintain trails, restore habitats, and control invasive flora in national parks and protected areas. They offer training before starting, and your destination could range from a remote glacier to a completely untouched valley. Sounds good, right?
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | From 18 years old, good physical condition |
| Duration | 9 weeks |
| What’s included | Basic accommodation, meals, insurance, training, and local guide |
| Price | Free, only travel and insurance expenses |
ICV volunteer programme in Iceland.
3. Worldwide Friends – Hveragerði House
Worldwide Friends is a type of volunteer programme in Iceland that focuses on fighting global warming. It offers short-term programmes lasting a few days up to long-term projects. One such project is located in Hveragerði, a town built over a geothermal field, 45 km from Reykjavik. The goal is to work in greenhouses planting organic crops, hosting workshops on green energy, nutrition, and sustainable living. If you’re interested in the fight against climate change, this programme is for you:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Over 18 years old and basic English knowledge |
| Duration | From 10 days to 6 months |
| What’s included | Accommodation, meals, internal transport, and Golden Circle excursion |
| Price | $693 (€600) for 2 weeks |
Worldwide Friends volunteer programme in Iceland.
Types of Volunteer Projects in Iceland
As you’ve seen in the previous section, most volunteer projects in Iceland focus specifically on agricultural and environmental sectors. However, there are also other programmes related to the country’s social, environmental, and cultural characteristics. Let’s explore the types of projects awaiting you in Iceland.
Environmental Conservation Volunteer Work
Environmental conservation is a national priority in Iceland, which is why most volunteer projects focus on preserving the country’s untouched landscapes. As a volunteer, you’ll actively participate in trail restoration, beach cleaning, or soil erosion prevention. Reforestation is also very important in Iceland as it’s one of the countries with the fewest trees in Europe due to historical deforestation by the Vikings.
Volunteer Work with Animals
Although there’s not a great diversity of land animals, some volunteer programmes in Iceland are related to the protection of migratory birds, such as puffins, an iconic species of the country. You can also help in local farms caring for sheep, horses, or cattle. Another volunteer activity with animals is a project focused on seal and whale observation to improve their conservation.
Volunteer Work in Sustainable Agriculture
Iceland has very challenging climatic conditions for agriculture, which is why there are research projects on sustainable farming methods in geothermal greenhouses. This is an ideal action for those interested in learning sustainable planting techniques and ecological self-sufficiency.
Volunteer Work in Social and Community Projects
There are fewer social volunteer projects in Iceland, but you can find these types of initiatives supporting cultural centres in rural areas. Here, your role will involve supporting educational activities and local events to help preserve Icelandic culture. You’ll also teach English to improve the integration of immigrants and refugees.
How Much Does it Cost to Volunteer in Iceland?
If you’ve decided to volunteer in Iceland after reading all about the available projects, you also need to consider the investment required. Some costs are usually covered, but others depend on the volunteer. Here’s a table with approximate fees:
| Category | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Programme Fee | From $217 to $433 (€188 – 375) |
| International flight | $543 – 1,097 (€470 – 950) |
| Health or Travel Insurance | $46 – 86 (€40 – 75) per month |
| Personal expenses | $115 – $230 (€100 – 200) |
Approximate costs for volunteering in Iceland.
What Can You Save by Volunteering in Iceland?
- Free Accommodation: You’ll stay in volunteer houses, farms, or organisation facilities.
- Meals Included: Either fully or partially, especially in rural programmes.
- Local Transport: From the worksite to your accommodation and back.
- Training Provided: Training included at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering in Iceland
If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need a visa for programmes under 90 days. However, for non-EU countries, a special volunteer permit is required.
There are short-term programmes from ten days to longer ones of up to six months or more.
It’s not necessary, though it’s highly valued. You’ll need at least a basic level of English to communicate with the organisation.
You need to get international health insurance that covers healthcare, accidents, and repatriation.
A volunteer programme in Iceland includes accommodation, meals, transport, and training.
