Food and Drink
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Nettó or Bónus (the latter is the cheapest grocery option in town)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Heimkaup.is (delivery to East Iceland) or Aha.is
- Grocery Delivery
- Standard grocery delivery is rare; most residents shop in-person at Bónus
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Tehúsið Hostel Bar – the main social hub for locals and travelers
- Local Brewery
- Askigull (nearby in Eskifjörður) or Beljandi Brewery (Breiðdalsvík, 1 hour away)
- Wine Bars
- The restaurant at Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir offers a refined wine list
- Street Food Stalls
- Pylsuvagninn (The Hot Dog Stand) near the gas station – Icelandic lamb hot dog (~700 ISK)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Askur Tapas & Brewery – high-quality fusion and local ingredients
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; local pickup is the standard
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Reindeer burger or steak (East Iceland is the only region with wild reindeer)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Salt Bistro – offers vegan burgers and pizzas (approx. 3,200 ISK)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Skálinn Diner for American-style milkshakes and localized cakes
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lagarfljót Lake (home of the legendary Wyrm) and Vök Baths
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sláturhúsið (The Slaughterhouse) Cultural Center for local art exhibitions
- Historical Sites
- Skriðuklaustur – historic farm and former monastery (30 mins drive)
- Religious Sites
- Egilsstaðakirkja – modern church with unique architecture
- Annual Events
- Ormsteiti (The Wyrm Festival) in August – a week-long family festival
- Cultural Districts
- The area around the Sláturhúsið cultural hub
- Theater Venues
- Occasional performances at Valaskjálf Community Center
- Local Markets
- Jólamarkaður (Christmas Market) held in the town square in December
- Music Scene
- Live music sessions at Tehúsið Hostel, featuring local folk and indie artists
- Street Art
- Various murals found in nearby Seyðisfjörður (25 min drive)
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the local adult education center (Þekkingarnet Austurlands)
- Art Galleries
- Gallerí hún (local crafts and art) on the main street
- Historic Buildings
- Gistihúsið (Lake Hotel) – dates back to the early 20th century
- Local Heritage
- Reindeer husbandry and eastern forest conservation (Hallormsstaðaskógur)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hallormsstaðaskógur – Iceland’s largest national forest with extensive trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Vatnajökull National Park (northern and eastern sections accessible via Highland roads)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking paths along the banks of the Lagarfljót river
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fardagafoss waterfall hike – offers a panoramic view over Egilsstaðir
- Birdwatching Locations
- Húsey nearby for seals and diverse birdlife (skuas and divers)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated pits at the Egilsstaðir Camping site
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Iceland Post) located at Dalbraut 2
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvutek or local independent technicians (very limited, often ship to Reykjavik)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports hall (Íþróttamiðstöðin) has facilities upon request
- Language Classes
- Austurbrú offers 'Icelandic as a second language' courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Egilsstaðir Public Library (Bókasafnið) – excellent free workspace
- Community Centers
- Sláturhúsið Cultural Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None; limited to private groups or the local school's social wing
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Iceland; only charity lotteries and slot machines (Háspenna) exist
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 650,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 26,000,000 ISK / $188k)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 520,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 20,800,000 ISK / $150k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 600,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 36,000,000 ISK / $260k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 480,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 28,800,000 ISK / $208k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 550,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 44,000,000 ISK / $318k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 450,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 36,000,000 ISK / $260k)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Property Tax
- Yes, varies by municipality (~0.3% to 1.6% of property value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals; 1.6% for legal entities (stamp duty)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Worker Visa allows 180 days tax-free if employed by foreign company
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25% (includes municipal tax)
- VAT
- 24% standard; 11% reduced (food, books, tourism)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive rules to prevent tax avoidance
Essentials
- City
- Egilsstaðir, Múlaþing, East Iceland
- Population
- Approx. 2,600
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber available, typically 100-1000 Mbps via Míla infrastructure
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 138 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 150 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, exceptionally high quality, free from all taps
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlugs
- SIM Card
- Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova. Prepaid 10GB data approx. 2,900 ISK
- Banking for Expats
- Landsbankinn or Íslandsbanki on Miðvangur; Revolut and cards widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Limited long-term rentals; Guesthouses and Airbnb are primary options (e.g., Lyngás Guesthouse)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, nearly 100% cashless; cards/contactless accepted everywhere including public toilets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Hotel Edda, and Gistihúsið – Lake Hotel Egilsstadir (approx. 25,000 ISK/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Egilsstaðir Camping Ground (2,000 ISK/night) or Tehúsið Hostel (approx. 7,000 ISK for a dorm)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near Lake Lagarfljót for scenery or the town center (Miðvangur) for amenities access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Town Center for walking distance to Netto supermarket, the library, and cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Austurbrú (Innovation Center) at Vonarland; offers professional desk spaces for remote workers
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bókakaffi Hlöðum (Book Cafe) – quiet atmosphere with reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee
- Networking Events
- Occasional business meetups organized by Austurbrú for regional development
- Social Events for Expats
- Local community events at Sláturhúsið Cultural Center; 'Expats in Iceland' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Call Taxi Egilsstaðir (+354 863 3302). Rental cars (Hertz/Europcar) are essential
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hjólaver provides mountain bike rentals for local trails
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sandur black sand beach in Reyðarfjörður (approx. 35 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (Domestic) - daily flights to Reykjavík (RKV)
- Top International Airline
- Condor or Discover Airlines (seasonal flights to Egilsstaðir (EGS) from Germany)
- Highway Access
- Directly on Route 1 (The Ring Road), connecting to Akureyri and Höfn
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None; Egilsstaður Airport (EGS) and the Strætó bus stop at the gas station
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó regional buses (East Iceland route 56); single tickets approx. 500-1,000 ISK
- Regional Travel
- Bus Route 92 to Seyðisfjörður (scenic fjord town) or Route 56 to Akureyri
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Heilsugæslustöðin á Egilsstöðum (Health Care Institution of East Iceland) at Lagarás 17-19
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Vök Baths – geothermal floating pools on Lake Urriðavatn (6,500 ISK entry)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Egilsstaðir Sports Center (Íþróttamiðstöðin) includes a gym and outdoor heated pool
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry available at Egilsstaðir Camping Ground or Tehúsið Hostel