Child Support and Benefits

The parent with custody of a child and gets payments from the other parent, receives it in their own name but must use them for the good of the child.

• Parents should agree upon child support when divorcing or terminating registered cohabitation and when changes occur to the custody of a child.
• The parent with whom the child has legal residence and lives usually requests child support.
• Child-support agreements are valid only if confirmed by a District Commissioner.
• A child-support agreement can be amended if circumstances change or if it does not serve the interests of the child.
• Any disputes regarding child-support payments should be referred to a District Commissioner.

Read about child support on the website of the Social Insurance Administration and District Commissioner.

Child benefits are intended to help parents with children and to equalise their situation. A certain amount is paid out to parents for each child up to the age of eighteen.

• Child benefit is paid to parents with children under the age of eighteen.
• No application is needed for child benefits. The amount of child benefit depends on the parents’ income, their marital status and the number of children.
• Tax authorities calculate the level of child benefit that is based on tax returns.
• Child benefits are paid on a quarterly basis: 1 February, 1 May, 1 June and 1 October
• Child benefit is not considered to be income and is not taxable.
• A special supplement, which also is income related, is paid with children under 7 years of age.

Read more about child benefits on the website of Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn).