Right to Interpretation

As an immigrant you may need the assistance of  interpreters.​ Immigrants have a right to get an interpreter for health care, when dealing with the police and in court.​

The institution in question should pay for the interpreter. ​You need to ask for an interpreter yourself with notice. Don’t be afraid to say you need the service. It’s your right.

Interpreters might be needed on other occasions as well, e.g. when dealing with things related to  schools and various service centers. ​

Under legislation on patient rights, patients who do not speak Icelandic are entitled to interpretation of information on their state of health, planned treatments and other possible remedies.

If you need an interpreter, you should indicate this when you make an appointment with a doctor at a health clinic or hospital.

The clinic or hospital in question will decide whether or not it will pay for the interpreter’s services.

Those who do not speak Icelandic or have limited proficiency in the language are entitled to interpretation during court proceedings. However, the rules on who pays for interpretation vary depending on the type of case:

• In criminal cases, the cost of interpretation is covered by the state.
• In civil cases, the party involved must pay for the interpreter, except in specific exceptions.
  Examples of exceptions include cases concerning paternity, deprivation of legal capacity, private prosecution, and cases where the judge appoints an interpreter due to an agreement with a foreign state.

Therefore, in civil cases, a party may have to pay for interpretation themselves, unlike in criminal cases.

In many cases, an interpreter is hired to interpret communications with municipal social services, trade unions, the police and in companies.

The assistance of interpreters is often obtained in nursery schools and primary schools, e.g. for parent interviews.

The institution in question is generally responsible for booking an interpreter and paying for the service. The same applies when social services require the interpretation of communications.

Interpreters are not always free of charge for the individual, and it is therefore a good idea to check the policy of each institution or company as regards payment for interpretation.

When requesting the services of an interpreter, the language of the person in question must be stated, as it is not always sufficient to indicate the country of origin.

Individuals are entitled to refuse the services of an interpreter.

Interpreters are bound to confidentiality in their work.