Genki Logo
Genki offers international health insurance tailored for digital nomads, expats, and long-term travelers, providing worldwide coverage and flexibility.

Nomad insurance made easy.

Affiliate disclosure

Akureyri, Iceland 🇮🇸
#792 ,

Nomad Score: 54%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
21% Weight: 150
Iceland is generally expensive, and Akureyri, while smaller than Reykjavik, still has high prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
24% Weight: 80
Rental prices are high relative to many countries, with limited budget options due to small market size.
🍎 Food & Groceries
20% Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are costly, reflecting Iceland’s import reliance and high living standards.
🚌 Transportation Cost
43% Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; fuel and car rentals are expensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
30% Weight: 15
Entertainment options exist but tend to be pricey due to the small market and import costs.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
45% Weight: 10
Gyms are available with moderate pricing, slightly higher than average European cities.
💱 Currency Stability
78% Weight: 30
Icelandic króna is relatively stable but can be volatile compared to major currencies.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
86% Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
52% Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces due to small population but some options exist in Akureyri.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
67% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
55% Weight: 30
Some cafes are nomad-friendly but not abundant; quietness and power outlets vary.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
31% Weight: 100
Akureyri is not a major digital nomad hub, with limited community presence.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89% Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance and outdoor activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
97% Weight: 15
Excellent environmental quality with clean air and pristine nature.
🧼 Cleanliness
95% Weight: 10
Very clean city with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
74% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, though Icelandic is the official language.
💨 Air Quality
98% Weight: 15
Very good air quality due to low pollution and natural surroundings.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
84% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services available, though limited specialist options locally.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
42% Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive for non-residents without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
83% Weight: 20
Good healthcare infrastructure but costs can be high for visitors.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
13% Weight: 80
Cold climate with long, dark winters and frequent rain; not ideal for those seeking warmth.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
76% Weight: 10
Low risk overall; some volcanic activity but well-monitored and managed.
🏞️ Green Spaces
91% Weight: 10
Abundant green spaces and access to nature within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
10% Weight: 15
Rarely needed or available due to cool climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
79% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with long winters and short summers; strong seasonal contrasts.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
72% Weight: 20
Rich Icelandic culture with local festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
38% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
99% Weight: 15
Exceptional access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and whale watching.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50% Weight: 10
Some opportunities to learn Icelandic but limited formal classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
87% Weight: 10
Good availability of unique local tours and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options due to small size.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
56% Weight: 25
Quality local and international cuisine but limited variety.
🧠 Yoga Studios
41% Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, mostly small and community-based.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
53% Weight: 15
Basic fitness facilities exist but not extensive.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
62% Weight: 15
Moderate availability of healthy and organic food options.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
64% Weight: 20
GMT time zone is convenient for Europe and North America overlap.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events due to small size.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
37% Weight: 20
Few local remote job opportunities; most nomads rely on global clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
39% Weight: 20
Small freelance community with limited local support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
42% Weight: 15
Startup activity is concentrated in Reykjavik; Akureyri has a small ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
71% Weight: 10
Modern payment infrastructure with wide card acceptance.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55% Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto but not widespread adoption.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
58% Weight: 30
Akureyri airport offers domestic flights and some international charters.
🚇 Public Transit
36% Weight: 20
Limited bus service; most rely on cars or taxis.
🚶 Walkability
69% Weight: 20
Compact city center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
20% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are not widely available; taxis are the main option.
🚲 Cycling
54% Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure but weather limits year-round use.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50% Weight: 15
Bus and domestic flights connect Akureyri to other parts of Iceland.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
33% Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; some bike rentals available seasonally.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
84% Weight: 20
Good 4G/5G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90% Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
96% Weight: 15
Stable and clean power supply with renewable energy sources.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces and cafes.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
55% Weight: 40
Schengen visa rules apply; no specific digital nomad visa for Iceland.
📊 Tax Friendliness
38% Weight: 30
High taxes and social contributions; not very tax-friendly for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
98% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
97% Weight: 20
Very stable political environment with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Challenging for non-residents; strict KYC and residency requirements.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62% Weight: 10
Moderate ease with online options but some bureaucracy involved.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of 2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
45% Weight: 50
Somewhat friendly but limited infrastructure and community for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
28% Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35% Weight: 20
Small online presence for Akureyri digital nomads.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
99% Weight: 100
Extremely safe with very low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
87% Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society though less diverse than larger cities.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.