Essentials
- City
- Seydisfjordur, Eastfjords, Iceland
- Population
- Approximately 670
- Internet Speed
- 100-500 Mbps via fiber optics (Ljosleidir network)
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 138 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 150 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality glacier water from every tap
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Siminn or Nova; starter packs ~2,500 ISK at local gas stations
- Banking for Expats
- Landsbankinn (local branch at Fjarðargata 6); Revolut widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and Airbnb; average monthly rental ~180,000 ISK
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted everywhere including tiny craft shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Hafaldan HI Hostel, Airbnb cabins in the fjord
- Budget Accommodation
- Hafaldan HI Hostel (Old Hospital building) ~6,500 ISK/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Village Center near the Rainbow Street (Norðurgata)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Fjarðargata or Suðurgata for proximity to community spaces
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Blue Bank (Blái Bankinn) at Þingeyri (Day pass ~3,500 ISK); Note: Best local work spot is Skaftfell Center
- Best Cafe for Work
- Skaftfell Bistró (Austurvegur 42) - solid Wi-Fi, great coffee (~600 ISK)
- Networking Events
- Heima Art Residency monthly open studios (Suðurgata 13)
- Social Events for Expats
- Community soup nights at Herðubreið Cultural Center
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Call local operator (+354 588 5522) - extremely expensive
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bikes available at Hafaldan Hostel for guests (~3,500 ISK/half day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sandur (Black sand beach within the fjord); non-swimming due to temp
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (flies to Egilsstaðir Airport, 27km away)
- Top International Airline
- Icelandair or Play (via Keflavik International Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 93 (Fjarðarheiði mountain pass) connecting to Ring Road (Route 1)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Strætó Bus Stop near the ferry terminal
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó App; Route 74 to Egilsstaðir costs ~1,200 ISK
- Regional Travel
- Smyril Line Ferry (MS Norröna) to Denmark and Faroe Islands
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Heilbrigðisstofnun Austurlands in Egilsstaðir (25 min drive)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Herðubreið Community Center (occasional classes)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Íþróttamiðstöðin (Local sports hall) with gym and heated pool (~1,100 ISK entry)
- Laundry Services
- Laundry room at Hafaldan HI Hostel (~1,000 ISK per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; local pickup only
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Eastfjords Sushi at Norð Austur Restaurant
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Skaftfell Bistró (excellent vegan pizzas/soups)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Kaffi Lára (El Grillo Bar) for homemade cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Kjörinn (Local grocery store) - small and expensive; better to shop at Bónus in Egilsstaðir
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aha.is (delivery limited) or Amazon.de (long shipping times)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; residents use Heimkaup for dry goods occasionally
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kaffi Lára / El Grillo Bar (The hub of village social life)
- Local Brewery
- El Grillo (brewed locally, named after the sunken oil tanker)
- Wine Bars
- Hotel Aldan Restaurant
- Street Food Stalls
- Fish & Chips truck (seasonal, near the ferry pier)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Norð Austur Sushi & Bar (Suðurgata 8)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Blue Church (Seyðisfjarðarkirkja) and the Rainbow Road
- Museums & Art Venues
- Technical Museum of East Iceland (Hafnargata 44)
- Historical Sites
- The Wreck of the El Grillo (diving spot in the fjord)
- Religious Sites
- Seyðisfjarðarkirkja
- Annual Events
- LungA Art Festival (July)
- Cultural Districts
- The historic colorful wooden houses in the village center
- Theater Venues
- Herðubreið Cinema and Cultural House
- Local Markets
- Skaftfell Art Center shop (local crafts and media)
- Music Scene
- Blue Church Concert Series (Summer Wednesdays)
- Street Art
- Various murals including the famous Rainbow Street path
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Austurland Food Cluster
- Art Galleries
- Skaftfell Center for Visual Art
- Historic Buildings
- Gamla Búð (Old Shop) and Hotel Aldan
- Local Heritage
- Telegraph cable history (first link to Europe was here)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fjarðarheiði mountain pass for cross-country skiing
- National Parks Nearby
- Vatnajökull National Park (approx. 2 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Vestdalur Valley hiking trail to Vestdalsfossar waterfalls
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tvísöngur sound sculpture (30 min hike uphill for fjord views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Skálanes Nature & Heritage Centre (17km East)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated shoreline spots (check local weather/wind warnings)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Post office located in the Kjörinn store)
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvutækni in Egilsstaðir (27km away)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Herðubreið Community Center
- Language Classes
- Online via Icelandic Online (University of Iceland); local meetups
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Seyðisfjörður Public Library (Suðurgata 4)
- Community Centers
- Herðubreið (Austurvegur 4)
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available; local gamers use private Discord groups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited by law in Iceland
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000,000 ISK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 380,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 15,200,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 420,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 25,200,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 21,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 32,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 330,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 26,400,000 ISK)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; 183-day rule applies
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25%
- VAT
- 24% standard; 11% reduced (food/books)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with interests in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, 0.23% to 1.65% depending on property type
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals, 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Worker Visa allows 180 days tax-free if salary is from abroad