Event Permit

Please note that if applying on behalf of a company, the person with signatory authority must submit the application.

A permit is required for organizing entertainment or events where supervision or law enforcement is needed. The permit is required if access to the event is being sold. The permit can either include or exclude the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The permit may apply to:

• School dances

• Concerts

• General dances

• Outdoor festivals

A permit is not required for private gatherings. Private gatherings refer to closed events for a specific group of people, where alcohol may be served without payment and not for promotional or sales purposes.

Conditions for Issuing a Permit

The applicant must meet the following conditions, as applicable, and authorize the relevant documents to be obtained for confirmation. This applies whether the applicant is an individual or a company representative:

• Reside in Iceland. Citizens of EEA countries, EFTA countries, and the Faroe Islands are exempt from this requirement.

• Be legally competent and at least 18 years old on the date of application. If the permit includes the sale of alcohol, the applicant must be legally competent and at least 20 years old.

• Have control over their financial affairs.

• Have registered their business with the tax authorities.

• Not have had a license to operate an accommodation, restaurant, or alcohol service revoked in the last five years.

• Not owe taxes, public levies, or pension fund contributions exceeding ISK 1,000,000.

• Not have committed an offense under the general penal code, drug laws, company laws, or tax laws in the last five years.

If the applicant is not of legal age, they can appoint a responsible person.

An event permit with alcohol service must be applied for when:

• Alcohol is to be served or sold for a specific event, such as at exhibitions or conferences, whether indoors or outdoors.

• As an addition to the existing operating license for extended alcohol serving hours at a place that has a license to serve alcohol.

Event permits for temporary alcohol service are only issued for events held at locations without an existing operating license, and generally, no more than 12 permits are issued for the same venue in a year.

Fees

• A permit for entertainment without alcohol costs ISK 12,000.

• A permit for entertainment with alcohol costs ISK 36,000.

Additional fees may apply, for example, for fire safety inspections or music rights fees (such as from STEF for music performances). Additional costs for security or other requirements may also arise depending on the nature of the event.

What Must Be Included in the Application

The following details must be provided:

• Type of event or gathering

• Location of the event

• Estimated number of guests

• Duration of the event

• Expected age distribution of attendees

• Event schedule, if available

Application Deadlines

For events lasting less than 24 hours, apply at least two weeks in advance.

For events lasting longer than 24 hours, apply at least 30 days in advance.

For events expecting around 3,000 people, requiring significant preparation, apply at least three months in advance.

Music Performance

Please note that applicants for an event permit must also apply for permission to perform music at the event. This permission is granted by the Performing Rights Society (STEF).

School dance events

Applicants for an occasional license for school events are especially encouraged to familiarize themselves with the information for event organizers under the title Enjoy Yourself.