Bigos in a bread bowl with gołąbki, pierogi and sausages on a wooden board
Guide Poland → Iceland · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Polish community in Iceland

How many Polish people live in Iceland, where Polish Mass and schools are, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Polish people live in Iceland?

Poles are Iceland's biggest immigrant group by far. On 1 January 2026, 23,329 Polish citizens lived in Iceland: about one in every 17 people in the country.

23,329Polish citizens
5.9%of everyone in Iceland
No. 1immigrant group
7,410in Reykjavík
2006Iceland opens its job market to Poles

Statistics Iceland, 1 January 2026. 2006: Iceland lifted all limits on 1 May 2006 (the Polish embassy).

Where people live

Where Polish people live in Iceland

About half live in and around Reykjavík, and many more on the Reykjanes peninsula near Keflavík airport. In 2005 fewer than 2,000 Polish citizens lived in Iceland; after the job market opened in 2006 the number grew to almost 10,000 by 2008.

RVK
Reykjavík7,410 Polish citizens; the embassy, Polish Mass at the cathedral and Polish schools are here.
KEF
Reykjanesbær3,608 Polish citizens around Keflavík, plus 531 in Suðurnesjabær next door.
KÓP
Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður1,875 and 1,706 Polish citizens, both part of the capital area.
IS
All around the islandFjarðabyggð in the east 601, Akureyri 535, Mosfellsbær 525, Akranes 440 and Árborg (Selfoss) 436.
Community life

A piece of home, close by

Mass
Mass in PolishLandakot cathedral in Reykjavík: Sunday 8:30 and 12:30, Saturday 19:00. Also in Reykjanesbær (Sunday 13:00, Saturday 18:00), Selfoss (Sunday 9:30), Reyðarfjörður (Saturday 18:00) and Stykkishólmur.
Sch
Polish schoolsThe free school at the embassy (Fridays for secondary, Saturdays for primary, at Landakotsskóli), a state Polish school in Keflavík and the Janusz Korczak community school in Reykjavík, all on Saturdays. Over 1,200 children learn Polish.
PL
The embassyÞórunnartún 2, Reykjavík. Appointments only through e-Konsulat; consuls also visit Akureyri, Vestmannaeyjar, Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður.
Shop
Polish shopsMini Market has shops in Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður and Keflavík.
News
News in PolishRÚV, Iceland's public broadcaster, has news from Iceland in Polish and the programme Wyspa; the City of Reykjavík has its information in Polish too.
TV
Polish TVThe channels from home, live in Iceland.Read the TV guide →
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Miss home?

The channels you grew up with, here

The news from home, your series, the big matches and the kids' cartoons in Polish. Live in Iceland, on your TV.

How to watch Polish TV in Iceland →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Polish people in Iceland meet online

Much of the community talks on Facebook: jobs, flats, advice and events, in Polish.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for “Polacy w Islandii” or “Polacy w Reykjaviku”.
RÚV
RÚV in PolishNews from Iceland in Polish, from the public broadcaster.ruv.is →
PL
The embassy's pageThe Polish embassy in Reykjavík.gov.pl →

Stay safe: groups are great for jobs and flats, but never send money or photos of your ID to someone you only know from a group.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Polish people live in Iceland?

23,329 Polish citizens on 1 January 2026, 5.9% of everyone in Iceland (Statistics Iceland). People born in Poland are the largest immigrant group: 23,055, or 29.9% of all immigrants. Poland's foreign ministry gives a higher estimate: about 33,000 Poles.

Where do most Polish people in Iceland live?

In Reykjavík (7,410 Polish citizens) and Reykjanesbær near Keflavík airport (3,608), then Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður. Poles live all around the island, from Akureyri in the north to Fjarðabyggð in the east.

Is there Mass in Polish in Iceland?

Yes. At Landakot cathedral in Reykjavík on Sundays at 8:30 and 12:30 and on Saturdays at 19:00, and in Reykjanesbær, Selfoss, Reyðarfjörður and Stykkishólmur. The parish pages on catholica.is have the times.

Is there a Polish school in Iceland?

Yes. The free school at the embassy in Reykjavík, a state Polish school in Keflavík, and community schools such as the Janusz Korczak school in Reykjavík.

Where do I get a Polish passport in Iceland?

At the embassy in Reykjavík, in person, after booking in e-Konsulat. The fee is 20,608 krónur, by card only. A Polish ID card can only be applied for in Poland.

Are there Facebook groups for Polish people in Iceland?

Yes. Search Facebook groups for “Polacy w Islandii” or “Polacy w Reykjaviku”.

Can I watch Polish TV in Iceland?

Yes. Our Polish TV in Iceland guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in Iceland

Guides for you

Polish TV in IcelandEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official options compare.The Polish community in IcelandHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to IcelandA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources