Getting the Faroese Civil Registration Number (p-number)
All citizens in the Faroe Islands have a unique registration number called a »p-tal« (Faroese for »p-number«).
The p-tal is essential when contacting Faroese authorities and especially in relation to matters relating to taxes or social security. If you are employed in the Faroe Islands you will need a p-tal to receive your salary.
If you are a Nordic citizen and intend to stay or work in the Faroes Islands for more than 180 days, you must register at your local municipality. If you are not a Nordic citizen, you must register at your local municipality if you intend to stay or work in the Faroe Islands for more than 90 days.
If you are not a Nordic citizen, you must also obtain a residence permit in order to register at the municipality. You can apply for your residence permit via the police, and the Faroese Immigration Office (Útlendingastovan) can help you fill out the application forms.
If your stay in the Faroe Islands totals less than 180 days a year, and you choose not to register at the municipality, you must obtain a provisional p-tal from the Faroese Tax Agency (TAKS).
The Faroese Police (new window)
Útlendingastovan - The Faroese Immigration Office (new window)
You must register at your local municipality within five days of moving to a new address.
Six of the Faroese municipalities can allocate a p-tal to you immediately from the National Register: Tórshavn Municipality, Klaksvík Municipality, Runavík Municipality, Eystur Municipality, Sjóvar Municipality and Sunda Municipality.
If you have previously lived in the Faroe Islands after the p-tal system was introduced in 1982, you will already have a p-tal, which will be re-activated when you notify the municipality of your relocation.
You should contact the Faroese Tax Agency (TAKS) if you need to receive a Faroese salary, but your old p-tal has been de-activated because you no longer live in the Faroe Islands.
TAKS – The Faroese Tax Agency (new window)
How to obtain a P-tal in the Tórshavn area
You need to contact the Tórshavn Citizen Service Centre (Snarskivan):
SNARSKIVAN
Vaglið 1
100 Tórshavn
Tel. 30 20 10
torshavn@torshavn.fo
How to obtain a P-tal in other areas in the faroe islands
You can obtain a p-tal directly by contacting your local municipality’s Citizen Service Office in Klaksvík, Runavík, Norðragøta (Eystur Municipality), Strendur (Sjóvar Municipality) or Oyrarbakki (Sunda Municipality).
If you move to a municipality other than those listed above, your municipality will ask you to fill out a form, which the municipality will forward to the National Registration Office (Landsfólkayvirlitið).
Which documents do you need to apply for a p-tal?
- Work and residence permit (if you are not a Danish or Nordic citizen)
- Passport or personal picture ID
- If applicable, documentation for name changes (marriage/divorce certificates etc.)
- If applicable, birth certificates for your children
- If applicable, a marriage certificate
The Faroese Immigration Office in Tórshavn (Útlendingastovan) offer help and guidance to apply for your Residence Permit.
You can find the application form via the link below. Choose »The Faroe Islands and Greenland« and choose the relevant application form from the list.
Útlendingastovan – the Faroese Immigration Office (immigration.fo)
Application forms (nyidanmark.dk)
my family is accompanying me – should they register?
Yes. If your wife, husband or children accompany you to the Faroe Islands, they must also register and obtain a p-tal each.
Faroese health insurance scheme
Once you have registered with the municipal authorities and have received a p-tal, you are included in the general Faroese health insurance scheme. The Faroese Social Security Office (Heilsutrygd) will send a letter to your registered address asking you to choose a general practitioner among the doctors available in the municipality. Heilsutrygd will automatically appoint a doctor to you if you do not choose one yourself.
If you receive a Faroese salary, then you pay for the health insurance scheme through your taxes. If you don’t receive a Faroese salary or if your A-income is too low for the premium to be collected automatically, then you must pay the in-payment form you receive in the mail or in your digital mailbox (MínBoks) every other month. Alternatively you can make a payment agreement.
You can learn more about taxes and the National Health Insurance at the Faroese Tax Agency website:
If your stay in the Faroe Islands totals less than 180 days a year, and you choose not to register at the municipality, you must obtain a temporary p-tal. Your employer may apply for the temporary p-tal on your behalf from the Faroese Tax Agency (TAKS).
You can request a residence certificate from the municipality if you need to document your present or former addresses in the Faroe Islands. You must request a residence certificate from your municipality’s citizen service.
Residents in Tórshavn Municipality may contact the Tórshavn Citizen Service Centre (Snarskivan):
Snarskivan
Vaglið 1
100 Tórshavn
Tel. 30 20 10
torshavn@torshavn.fo
You can only obtain a residence certificate for another person if that person has authorised you to do so by means of a letter of attorney.
You can always get help and information at your citizen services centre.
Tórshavn Citizen Service Centre (Snarskivan) is your point of entry to Tórshavn Municipality.
You can reach us by phone on 30 20 10 or by e-mail: torshavn@torshavn.fo.
You can also meet us in person next to the Town Hall:
Snarskivan
Vaglið 11
100 Tórshavn
View on Google Street View (new window)
OPENING HOURS
Monday – Thursday 9 – 16
Friday 9 – 15
Closed on public holidays
SERVICES
- Civil Registration Number (p-tal)
- Signing up for childcare
- Registration and P-tal
- Weddings
- Residence certificate
- P-tal certificate
There are many administrative tasks to take care of when you move to the Faroe Islands as a foreign worker.
You can always ask for help and guidance at the Faroese Immigration Office in Tórshavn (Útlendingastovan). If you live outside of Tórshavn you can also contact your local municipality.