Child benefits are payments from the government to assist people that have children. The State Financial Management disburses child benefits four times a year, February 1st, May 1st, August 1st,and November1st.
Child benefits are paid for the first time the year after a child is born or moved to the country.
Child benefits are paid for children up to 18 years of age and throughout the year when they turn 18. When deciding child benefits consideration is given to the income of parents or custodians according to the tax return and child benefits are paid after tax returns have been received. It is not necessary to apply for child benefits for children who live with parents or custodians in Iceland.
Citizens of EEA states that are employed in Iceland may be entitled to child benefits for children under their care and live in another EEA state. Those benefits need to be applied for specifically.
On the website of the National Director of Taxation (www.rsk.is) you can find information on child benefits and forms for payment of child benefits in several languages.