Iceland Company Registry (Fyrirtækjaskrá): Search, VAT & Kennitala Guide
The definitive English guide to searching Icelandic companies, validating business registration numbers (Kennitala), checking VAT status, and obtaining official company certificates (Félagsvottorð).
Key Takeaways for Foreign Partners
- Free Public Registry: Icelandic company records (directors, registered address, share capital) are public records managed by Skatturinn.
- Company Kennitala Rule: Legal entities always start with numbers 40 through 79, differentiating them from private individuals.
- Invoice Verification: Always verify that your Icelandic contractor or vendor has an active VSK-númer before accepting VAT invoices.
- Entity Types: The most common corporate structure for international business is the private limited company: ehf. (Einkahlutafélag).
⚡ Icelandic Company ID (Kennitala) Validator & Search
Enter a 10-digit Icelandic Kennitala to verify Modulus 11 math and search official Skatturinn records.
1. What is Fyrirtækjaskrá (The Icelandic Enterprise Registry)?
Fyrirtækjaskrá is the central statutory business register of Iceland, operated by the Directorate of Internal Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) under the Ministry of Finance. It functions equivalently to Companies House in the UK, the Commercial Register (Handelsregister) in Germany, or the Secretary of State business search in the United States.
By Icelandic law (Act No. 17/2003 on the Register of Enterprises), any entity conducting business, hiring personnel, or issuing commercial invoices in Iceland must maintain an active registration.
2. How to Perform a Company Search in Iceland
- Access the Public Portal: Visit the official database at skatturinn.is/fyrirtaekjaskra/leit.
- Search by Kennitala or Name: Searching by the 10-digit registration number provides instant exact matches. If searching by company name, partial names are supported.
- Verify Operational Status: Confirm that the entity is marked as Virkt (Active). Avoid entering financial contracts if the status indicates Í gjaldþrotameðferð (Bankruptcy) or Afskráð (Deregistered).
- Check VSK (VAT) Registration: Check the "VSK-númer" row. If no number is listed, the business cannot legally levy 24% or 11% Value Added Tax on invoices.
3. Icelandic Corporate Structures at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Is company registry information free in Iceland?
Yes. Basic corporate searches, registered addresses, board member lists, and VAT statuses are completely free of charge on the Skatturinn website.
❓ Can a foreign citizen establish an ehf. company in Iceland?
Citizens of EEA/EFTA countries can freely establish companies in Iceland. Non-EEA citizens require at least one EEA-resident managing director or board member, or must obtain a special ministerial exemption.