The International House Tórshavn

The sessions usually take place at the City Library (Býarbókasavnið) in Tórshavn, which is located in the city centre. You will be invited to join a session within three months after you have been registered as a resident in the municipality.

The sessions cover general information and questions common to newcomers:

• Basic information about your rights and obligations as an immigrant and resident
  
  
• Information about municipal and public services, offers, and opportunities in Tórshavn municipality
  
  
• An explanation of the integration process – including integration courses, Faroese as a second language, work life and the requirements for obtaining permanent residence
  
  
• You get the opportunity to connect with other participants who are in a similar situation, and you will have time and space to ask questions. If we don't know the answer to your question, we do know someone who does

You will be invited to join a session within three months after you have been registered as a resident in the municipality. The International House sends you the invitation. If you have obtained Vangin and Samleikin, you will receive the meeting invitation on your smartphone – as a reminder in the Vangin calendar and as a notification on your phone.

If you have not yet obtained Vangin and Samleikin, please visit the Samleikin website or notify Talgildu Føroyar.

How to get Samleikin (samleikin.fo)

Talgildu Føroyar

Staravegur 9
100 Tórshavn
Tlf: +298 35 18 81
1881@talgildu.fo

Talgildu Føroyar (talgildu.fo)

No, participation is voluntary but highly recommended. The sessions cover most of what you need to know, and you have the possibility of asking questions and meeting other newcomers as well.

In the Faroe Islands, everyone has equal rights and the opportunity to live a safe and dignified life.

You have the right to:

• Access healthcare services
• Nine years of compulsory education for your children
• Seek and take up employment
• Receive support from the social security system (if you are not on a work permit)
• Live free from violence, discrimination, and abuse
• Request an interpreter for important meetings, when needed and available
• Attend FSA (Faroese as a Second Language) classes

If you are unsure about your rights or would like more information, please book a meeting with us. We are here to help. Find our contact information at the bottom of this page.

In the Faroe Islands, everyone has a responsibility to follow the law and contribute positively to society.

This includes:

• Learning about and respecting the laws that apply to you
• Taking good care of your children if they are under 18 years old
• Paying taxes as required
• Attending appointments and meetings with public authorities
• Treating other people with respect
• Making an effort to learn the Faroese language if you are working towards a permanent residence permit

It is important to know that all forms of violence are illegal in the Faroe Islands, whether directed at children or adults. This includes physical, psychological, verbal, financial, material, sexual, domestic, and digital abuse, as well as stalking.

If you have questions about your responsibilities or need guidance, please book a meeting with us. We are happy to help.

The police, hospital system and public services are not corrupt and cannot be bribed.

You can find information about available jobs on the website of the unemployment office ALS.

Available jobs - leys størv (als.fo)

You must inform the Immigration Office (Útlendingastovan) if you lose your job. Your work permit will be revoked as it is based on this exact job.

If you find a new job while working in the Faroe Islands, you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit with information on your new employment.

You are not allowed to start the new job before you have been granted a new permit.

Útlendingastovan (Immigration Office)

Skalátrøð 20
100 Tórshavn
Tel +298 35 79 79
Email: info@utlendingastovan.fo

Immigration Office website (utlendingastovan.fo)

If you have questions about the validation of your educational qualifications, you can seek guidance from the Educational Guidance Centre (Vegleiðingarstovan).

Vegleiðingarstovan

Hoyvíksvegur 72
100 Tórshavn
Tel. +298 20 09 10
E-mail: vegleiding@uvs.fo

Vegleiðingarstovan website (vegleiding.fo)

A »fakfelag« is a trade union. They give advice and support to employees (for example with salary negotiations). Trade unions offer advice, coaching and courses – and some publish magazines with articles on work-related topics.

The members use their trade union for salary negotiations, job search, legal questions and much more. Some trade unions offer discounts for their members on certain products and services.

Your choice of trade union

When you choose your trade union, you need to be aware of which line of business you work in.

Trade unions are experts in their own field. Therefore, it is important that the trade union, which represents you and gives you advice, knows your work area.

The membership fees for trade unions vary.

Find a trade union

Your employer can help you determine what trade union you belong to. You can find a list of all Faroese trade unions at the website of the Faroese Ministry of Finance (Fíggjarmálaráðið) with links to the different unions.

Fakfeløg - List of trade unions in the Faroe Islands (fmr.fo)

If you have questions about your rights as a worker, you should ask your union. Trade unions are experts in their field and can provide guidance on rights, salary, legal questions and much more. 

If you are not a union member yet, or if you do not know what union you belong to, you can find more information in the previous section »Questions about what union to join?«. We highly recommend becoming a member of a union to secure your rights as a worker.

The conditions for work permits and fast track work permits are: 

• You work 30 or 40 hours weekly
• You are not allowed to change job, unless you get a new work permit, and if so, the counting of how long you have stayed here will start over again from 0
• You must be able to support yourself and your family. Therefore, you are not allowed to receive public benefits. Failure to comply with this condition means that you and your family lose the right to stay in the Faroe Islands
• You are only allowed to work with one employer

Read more about work permits at the Immigration Office website:

Work permit (utlendingastovan.fo)

The requirements for a permanent residence permit are:

• You have legally lived here for three years (family reunification) or seven years (work permit)
• You do not owe the public services more than 97,436.38 krónur
• No crime record
• You speak the language on a conversational level
• You learn about the Faroese culture and society
• You attend the appointments at The Immigration Office

Read more about permanent residence permits at the Immigration Office website:

Permanent residence permit (integration.fo)

In the Faroe Islands, it is mandatory to pay into your own pension.

• If you leave the country, you have the right to get the pension with you, provided that you have worked less than 60 months in total in the Faroe Islands
  
  
• If you work more than 60 months, you will fall under the same rules as faroese citizens, and will not be eligible to apply for getting your pension paid out before you reach the lawful age of retirement
  
  
• You can apply to bring the pension with you, even if you leave after a short period. But if you return to work for a second period, you will have to wait 10 years to get the remaining pension paid out
  
  
• If you leave the country, it is your responsibility to inform the pension fund, bank and Taks authorities about your new address and account number for due payments such as pension, leftover tax and frítíðarløn
  
  
• Faroese banks will close your accounts after around 3 months if there is no activity
  
  
• If your contract is less than 180 days, you are not required to pay in to the public pension fund
  
  
• Your pension is not paid from your salary, but is a result of a negotiated contract between your employer and the unions
  
  
• You can access the contract between your employer and the union and see your precise hourly
  salary/monthly salary. Ask your employer or union
  
  
• Before 2026, it was possible to apply for exemption from paying your pension into your pension fund, and rather get your pension paid out together with your regular salary. This has led to some confusion, as it can appear, that the salary is higher for those, who do not pay into the pension fund, but receive it as part of their regular salary. This is no longer an option. (For people who have already applied before the change in regulations, the previous rules still apply)

• Snarskivan (the Citizen Service Centre) assists with address registrations, moving reports, and the Faroese civil registration number (P-tal)
  
  
• Registration for schools and kindergarten can be done digitally on the platform »Pláss-skipanin«
  
  
• Digital portals: Vangin is the centralized digital gateway and public service portal for the Faroe Islands. It gathers digital services from public institutions and municipalities and is secured by a personal digital ID/key called Samleikin. You need to obtain your own personal Samleiki in order to use Vangin
  
  
• Civil Ceremonies: Municipal civil weddings are held at the Town Hall

Practical matters and self-service

Enrollment in schools in Tórshavn municipality

Register for nursery or kindergarden

The digital self-service portal Vangin (vangin.fo)

How to get Samleikin (samleikin.fo)

Marriage ceremonies for visitors

Free public transport

Tórshavn Municipality operates the red city buses called »Bussleiðin«. The bus system is free-of-charge for both local citizens and visitors.

Five routes criss-cross each corner of the town. Four of the routes run every day of the week, at least once an hour. All lines converge at Steinatún square and most also at Á Hálsi, which make for easy transfers. Three bus routes – routes 5 through 7 – handle the connection between the villages and the capital.

Tórshavn by bus

Getting around

Waste management

The handling of household waste in Tórshavn Municipality is automatically paid for through your local income tax. Normal household waste is collected regularly, typically once a week, by the municipality's renovation teams.

For other kinds of waste and for larger quantities you can use the closest recycling centres. For more information on waste, waste sorting and recycling check the website kob.fo. If you would like to know when the renovation team picks up household waste on your adress, you can find out by typing your adress into the search field on our page »Eigari av húsi og grundstykki í kommununi«.

Kommunala Brennistøðin (kob.fo)

Eigari av húsi og grundstykki í kommununi

Maintenance

The municipality is responsible for roads, snow removal, street lighting and the maintenance of parks and hiking trails. Let us know if you notice potholes, litter in the parks, or malfunctioning streetlights. You can easily report these issues using our digital reporting system »Preia kommununa«.

Preia kommununa

Childcare and Schools

The municipality operates nurseries, kindergartens, after-school clubs and the primary and lower secondary schools. Read more on our pages »Family and children«.

Family and children

Dental Care

Children and adolescents under the age of 18 receive free dental treatment. Children will often receive regular check-ups through the public-school system. Read more about dental care services on our page »Healthcare«.

Healthcare

The International House in Tórshavn (known in Faroese as »Altjóðahúsið«) is a dedicated municipal hub established by Tórshavnar kommuna to support international newcomers and immigrants relocating to the Faroe Islands. It serves as a centralized point for integration guidance, practical advice, and community building.

Key Services & Practical Information

• Personal Guidance: The house offers direct assistance regarding local municipal services, leisure activities, cultural integration, and regional events
  
  
• Drop-In Consultations: You can visit without an appointment during our dedicated weekly drop-in hours (see top of this page)
  
  
• Multilingual Resources: We provide informative leaflets covering rights, duties, and emergency info translated into multiple languages, including English, Tagalog, Romanian, Spanish, Thai, and Ukrainian
  
  
• Community Events: We regularly host social gatherings (film evenings, knitting clubs), informational theme nights (such as career and educational guidance), and open coffee mornings to help expats connect with locals and fellow newcomers. We also arrange the greater Multicultural week. 

You can find the majority of our events on the event calendar Tímin. The events will show up on this page too, when they have been published.

Tímin (timin.fo)

Tórshavnar kommuna (the municipality of Tórshavn) manages a comprehensive system of social services and healthcare support, primarily organized under the The Health and Care department (»Heilsu- og umsorganardeildin«). These services focus on ensuring the well-being of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families requiring social support.

Core Social and Healthcare Services

The municipal framework provides targeted assistance across several primary sectors:

• Home Care and Practical Support: This includes personalized home care (Faroese: »Heimarøkt«), meal delivery, occupational and physical therapy, and the provision of necessary home assistive devices. Under specific evaluations, these services are also available to residents under the age of 67 who suffer from chronic illness or severe injury
  
  
• Elderly Care and Nursing Homes: The municipality oversees short-term respite care, day and evening centers for senior citizens and individuals with dementia, and permanent nursing home placements – such as the Tjarnargarður care facility
  
  
• Disability and Special Needs Support: Coordination of companion services, sheltered workshops, and specialized day programs. While certain specialized healthcare services are managed on a national level, the municipality serves as a direct link for local social support
  
  
• Assisted Transport: A dedicated transport service is available for wheelchair users and residents with severely reduced mobility to help them attend medical appointments or public activities

You can find more information on our Health and Care pages on torshavn.fo. You are also welcome to ask us at the International House for guidance. Some pages are in Faroese only, but can easily be translated by your browser.

Tørvsmettar tænastur (in Faroese only)

Hjálp i gerandisdegnum (In Faroese only)

Búpláss við umsorgan og røkt (in Faroese only)

Tórshavnar kommuna offers a vibrant selection of cultural and leisure services aimed at enhancing quality of life for residents and newcomers alike. From supporting specialized associations to funding modern venues, municipal culture services are structured to engage all age groups across arts, recreation, and community events

Outdoor Life & Sports Infrastructure

For physical recreation, the municipality provides extensive infrastructure, including indoor swimming pools, modern football pitches, and public parks. They also manage regulations regarding the usage of historic hiking.

Sports and exercise - ítróttur og rørsla (in Faroese)

Outdoor experiences - upplivingar í náttúruni (in Faroese)

Rent a sport facility (in Faroese)

Creative & Educational Schools

Tórshavnar kommuna actively funds and partners with a specialized network of educational and creative hubs, including Tórshavnar Kvøldskúli, Tórshavnar musikkskúli, Filmshúsið, Klippfisk, and Hugskotið, to drive local culture, arts, and entrepreneurship. These institutions provide structured learning, creative spaces, and professional mentorship for residents of all ages.

Tórshavnar Kvøldskúli (The Evening School)

Tórshavnar musikkskúli (The Music School)

Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Hugskotið

The municipality's premier innovation hub and co-working space. Designed for startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, Hugskotið provides affordable desk space, professional business counseling, and networking events to help turn creative ideas into viable local businesses.

Hugskotið (hugskotid.fo)

Film & Media Hubs

Acting as the national and local anchor for the Faroese film industry, Filmshúsið supports filmmakers through funding coordination, workshops, and networking events, positioning Tórshavn as a growing Nordic cinematic hub.

Klipfisk is a vital community-driven workshop and development platform for young, aspiring filmmakers and content creators. Klippfisk provides free or affordable access to professional cameras, editing suites, and production gear, running regular short-film courses and talent development programs.

Filmshúsið

Klippfisk

All legal workers in the Faroe Islands are automatically covered by the Faroese national health insurance system (Heilsutrygd). Note, however, that your National Health Insurance does not come into force until six weeks after you register your move to the Faroe Islands.

Read more about health insurance, choosing a general practitioner, health care for your children, and dental care on our pages »Healthcare« and »Emergencies«.

Healthcare

Emergencies

The national health inscurance, Heilsutrygd, will subsidise only a small part of your cost for dental treatment as an adult. Children and adolescents under 18, however, receive free dental treatment and regular check-ups through the public school system.

Read about dental care for adults and children on our page »Health care«.

Healthcare

If you have an urgent or life-threatening illness or injury, call the national emergency services at 112.

If you don’t speak Faroese, you are entitled to have a professional interpreter present or on the phone if the doctor deems this necessary for the consultation.

Find more information on our page »Emergencies«.

Emergencies

FSA (Faroese as a Second Language) is a language class for adult newcomers. Classes are offered both during the daytime and in the evenings at Glasir and Miðnám á Kambsdali.

Read more about the FSA courses and additional ressources on our page »Faroese language training«.

Faroese language training

If you want to practice your Faroese conversational skills, you can join the Language Café (Faroese: »Málkafé«) at the City Library Býarbókasavnið, where volunteers are ready to help you improve your Faroese language skills.

Málkafé is a free, recurring event, where volunteers use various ways to help practise Faroese, for example by speaking, reading, playing games and doing other activities.

Málkafé takes place every Wednesday between 17.00 and 19.00 at the library in The City Library in Tórshavn (on the ground floor, in the back).

At Málkafé you can get at a free warm drink, juice and a sweet snack, meet new people and practice Faroese. 

Drop-in means that everyone can come and go as they please. We understand that people are very busy, so it is possible to pop by for as long or as short a time as you prefer.

Read about additional ressources on our page »Faroese language training«.

Faroese language training

Daycare

In the Faroe Islands, most children attend day care (Faroese: »dagrøkt«) from the ages 10 months to 7 years. Children attend nursery when they are around ten months old and go to kindergarden when they are around three years old. Read more about daycare on our page »Childcare«.

Childcare

Pre-school

Pre-school (Faroese: »forskúli«) is an option for one year before starting school, age 6-7. Your child will normally start compulsory primary school the year it turns 7. Read more about the pre-school option on our page about »Childcare«.

Childcare

After-school centres

After-school centres (frítíðarskúli) are available for children attending 1st through 3rd grade. You need to book your child’s place in an after-school centre. The choice of after-school centre depends on the primary school the child attends, and children from the same school attend the same after-school centre. Read more about this option and how to register your child on our page about schools.

Schools

Youth clubs

Children may attend after-school youth clubs (Faroese: »Ungdómshús«) from age 13 to 18. Attending the youth clubs is free, and you can use the youth clubs to create projects, do your homework, relax or just hang out with friends.

Read more under the subtopic »After-school activities« on our page »Schools« and on our page »Ungdómshús« (in Faroese only).

Schools

Ungdómshús

Children in the Faroe Islands attend nine years of compulsory education. Children typically start 1st grade in August of the year they turn seven. Some schools also have pre-school for kids at age six.

Education is mandatory and free. 

Be sure to contact your child’s teacher if your child is not coming to school due to illness or other circumstances.

Homeschooling is very rare, and is only for children with special needs, and when parents are capable of following the curriculum of the school system.

The education programme is run by the Faroese government, not by the municipality.

Schools

The institution Gigni systematically aims to promote health and prevent disease by addressing well-being and development issues early. Health workers focus on individual families and children, providing tailored advice to help them cope with family challenges. They support child-development and advise parents on mental, social, and physical growth.

If special needs are identified, additional counselling or referrals to experts may occur. In schools, health workers regularly assess students and provide guidance on health and well-being, and they also advise parents, teachers, and administrators on essential conditions for children's development.

Health workers from Gigni make home visits during the childs first year, to ensure your newborn is thriving. Read more about Gigni's services on our pages for expectant mothers and infants and on Gigni's website (in Faroese only):

Tilboð til komandi foreldur og pinkubørn

Heilsutilboð til skúlabørn

Gigni's website (gigni.fo - in English only)

The Torshavn Music School is located at Landavegur 84. The school currently employs more than 50 teachers and every week about 800 students receive lessons on one instrument. Learning is in musical instruments, larger and smaller interplay and literary subjects (theory, audiology, history and such).

In addition to teaching at the music school, the Torshavn Music School cooperates with other cultural institutions, such as the School at Fløtir on Colors in Play, the School at Løgmannabreyt on Poetry in Play.

The Torshavn Music School also cooperates with Glasir and the Center for apprenticeships in music.

Visit their website to read more about what the school has to offer and hot to register for classes.

Tórshavnar musikkskúli (tm.fo)

Tórshavnar Musikkskúli (translated by Google)

Klippfisk (officially »Filmsverkstovan Klippfisk«) is a Faroe Islands film workshop and talent incubator based in Tórshavn. Since 2007, it has served as the grassroots foundation for the archipelago's emerging filmmaking community. The name is a cultural, tongue-in-cheek nod to »klippfisk« (salted dried cod) – historically one of the Faroes' most vital exports – but here, it is raw cinematic talent that is being shaped and refined.

The workshop supports independent filmmakers, hobbyists, and youth by providing affordable access to professional camera gear, editing suites, production grants, and industry networking. 

Core Programs and Initiatives

Beyond technical rentals and consulting, Klippfisk runs several dedicated talent development tracks:

• Flogfisk: A free, one-year film school tailored for young adults aged 18–25. Taught by industry professionals, the curriculum guides students from script to screen. The year culminates in a public screening at the Havnar Bio cinema in Tórshavn. The schedule is structured to accommodate work or university studies
  
  
• Nóllywood: A popular annual summer film camp—frequently hosted on the car-free island of Nólsoy—where participants immerse themselves in intensive, collaborative short-film production
  
  
• Global Networking: As a member of Screen Talent Europe, Klippfisk connects Faroese filmmakers to international co-productions, workshops, and artist residencies across Northern Europe.
  Many directors, cinematographers, and crew members currently driving the Faroese film boom—and competing for Geytin (the national film award)—began their creative journeys within this workshop.
  If you are looking to rent production equipment in Tórshavn, apply for an upcoming workshop, or seek local co-production support, you can find active application windows and contact details on the official Klippfisk website.

Klippfisk website (klippfisk.fo)

Býarbókasavnið (The Tórshavn Municipal Library) is the central public library located right on the main pedestrian street in the heart of Tórshavn. It serves as a vibrant cultural hub, a quiet study space, and a popular gathering spot for both locals and visitors.

Key Features & Services:

• Study & Work Spaces: The library offers bright, modern facilities with comfortable seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and public computers. It is an excellent spot for remote work, reading, or studying
  
  
• Dedicated Children's Floor: Located on the 3rd floor, Barnabókasavnið features an expanded children's section. It includes a playroom (spælistova), a toy collection, and a dedicated room for families to eat packed lunches
  
  
• Community & Events: The library regularly hosts cultural activities, including a popular Málkafé (Language Café) for practicing Faroese, book clubs, creative workshops, and storytelling sessions for children
  
  
• Newspapers & Digital Access: Visitors can browse local and international newspapers and periodicals. While connected to the library's Wi-Fi, you can also access PressReader for free, giving you entry to over 7,000 digital publications worldwide.

Visit the library's website for more information.

Býarbókasavnið (bbs.fo)

Tórsgøta is the absolute beating heart of live music, culture, and nightlife in downtown Tórshavn. Managed largely under the city's cultural umbrella, this street and its immediate surrounding pocket house a rich variety of versatile creative spaces. Events will most often be announced on the website torsgota.fo and on the official event calendar Tímin.

Tórsgøta website (torsgota.fo)

Tímin (timin.fo)

Reinsaríið

Reinsaríið offers a vastly different, exceptionally cozy wooden interior. It functions as a café during the day and morphs into a premium acoustic hotspot for jazz, folk, singer-songwriter showcases, and community open-mic nights.

Perlan

Standing in contrast to its older neighbors, Perlan features a raw, urban vibe dominated by glass, concrete, and modern architecture. It is the go-to spot in town for heavier live music, experimental genres, creative workshops, and indoor markets. It comes fully equipped with modern stage lighting and sound.

Aulan í Finsen

The historic former school hall just off the main strip. It boasts stunning natural acoustics and houses a grand Steinway piano, making it the premier choice for classical ensembles, choral arrangements, lectures, and civic debates.

Ostahúsið

Literally translated as »The Cheese House« Ostahúsið is an intimate, underground tiny venue right in the center of the strip. It is heavily utilized as a rehearsal space and grassroots gig room, complete with house drum kits, guitar/bass amplifiers, and a dedicated PA system.

Smiðjan í Lítluvík

Located just a brief stroll down toward the harbor front, this beautifully restored, traditional black-painted house with a turf roof acts as Tórshavn’s most charming independent gallery. It hosts a constantly rotating cycle of pop-up art exhibitions by local and international artists.

Tórshavnar Kvøldskúli (The Evening School of Tórshavn) offers a wide range of evening courses and leisure activities for residents in the Tórshavn municipality. The school's main administration is located at J. H. Schrøtersgøtu 1 in Tórshavn. For the 2026/27 school year, approximately 2,650 students are enrolled across more than 250 different courses, taught by 125 teachers at around 30 locations throughout the municipality.

If you want to browse the current course catalog or check for available spots, you can visit the schools website.

Kvøldskúlin Official Website

Tilhaldið í Tórsgøtu is the largest activity and social center for seniors and pensioners in Tórshavn Municipality. It serves as a central hub for community, hobbies, and social events, and there is no membership required to visit or participate.

Activities & Programs

The center offers a wide variety of structured activities and casual groups, including:

• Gymnastics and chair fitness (DKK 20 per session)
• Handicrafts, knitting clubs, and live music/orchestra sessions
• Morning singing hosted by various local musicians
• Walking groups, reading clubs, men's groups, and traditional Faroese dance

To see the current weekly schedule or upcoming special events, you can check the official Tórshavn Municipality website or follow their active Facebook Page.

There are also two other social centers within the Municipality: Tilhaldið í Nólsoy and Tilhaldið millum Bóla in Kollafjørður.

Tilhaldið í Tórsgøtu official website (torshavn.fo)

Tilhaldið millum Bóla (torshavn.fo)

Tilhaldið í Nólsoy (torshavn.fo)

Timin.fo is the official event calendar for Tórshavn Municipality. It is the ultimate digital platform that gathers all cultural, sports, and community events in the Faroe Islands' capital into one single marketplace. The calendar was made to make the rich cultural and social life of Tórshavn accessible to everyone and to help local organizers reach a wider audience.

Tímin (timin.fo)

Who it is for?

• Locals: Looking for weekend plans, family activities, or sports events
• Tourists & Expats: Wanting to experience authentic Faroese culture and community events
• Organizers: Anyone from major concert promoters to small local clubs who wants to promote an event for free.

Key Features and Content

The platform categorizes events to make browsing simple and intuitive:

• Culture & Art: Concerts, art exhibitions, theater plays, and museum shows
• Sports & Leisure: Football matches, community runs, and fitness workshops
• Nightlife & Cinema: Movie listings at the local cinema and live music at bars
• Family Friendly: Activities specially tailored for children and teenagers
• English Version: A dedicated English interface ensures international visitors can easily navigate the platform.

The International House in Tórshavn (known in Faroese as »Altjóðahúsið«) is a dedicated municipal hub established by Tórshavnar kommuna to support international newcomers and immigrants relocating to the Faroe Islands. It serves as a centralized point for integration guidance, practical advice, and community building.

Key Services & Practical Information

• Personal Guidance: The house offers direct assistance regarding local municipal services, leisure activities, cultural integration, and regional events
  
  
• Drop-In Consultations: You can visit without an appointment during our dedicated weekly drop-in hours (see top of this page)
  
  
• Multilingual Resources: We provide informative leaflets covering rights, duties, and emergency info translated into multiple languages, including English, Tagalog, Romanian, Spanish, Thai, and Ukrainian
  
  
• Community Events: We regularly host social gatherings (film evenings, knitting clubs), informational theme nights (such as career and educational guidance), and open coffee mornings to help expats connect with locals and fellow newcomers. We also arrange the greater Multicultural week. 

You can find the majority of our events on the event calendar Tímin. The events will show up on this page too, when they have been published.

Tímin (timin.fo)

Here is an overview of the main local festivals and recurring cultural events in the Tórshavn Municipality. As the cultural heart of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn hosts everything from massive national celebrations to intimate indie music and arts festivals.

Traditional & National Festivals

• Ólavsøka (July 28–29): The absolute biggest national festival and holiday in the Faroe Islands. The entire center of Tórshavn transforms into a massive street festival featuring traditional rowing competitions in the harbor, Faroese chain dancing, live concerts, and thousands of locals dressed in stunning national costumes
  
  
• Ovastevna (August): A traditional local festival held on the island of Nólsoy (part of the Tórshavn Municipality). Held in memory of the local hero Ove Joensen, it offers a cozy village atmosphere, Faroese dancing, and food stalls just a short ferry ride from the capital
  
  
• Kollafjarðardagar (September): A lively community festival in the village of Kollafjørður in the northern part of the municipality, featuring family-friendly activities, exhibitions, and local music over a weekend.
  Music, Culture & Niche Festivals
  
  
• Faroe Pride (August): An annual parade and festival celebrating LGBT+ rights and diversity in the Faroe Islands, filled with concerts, political speeches, and vibrant afterparties in the capital.
  • Mikkeller Beer Celebration Faroe Islands (September/October): A highly regarded international beer festival bringing craft brewers from all over the world to Tórshavn, complete with pop-up events and pub quizzes
  
  
• Sement: An annual battle-of-the-bands competition for upcoming Faroese musicians, traditionally hosted at the cozy live venue Reinsaríið
  
  
• Voxbotn (Late June): A massive, 12-hour outdoor concert marathon held annually since 2012. It takes place right along the historic marina at Vágsbotn. The festival sets up two main stages and blends top-tier Faroese artists with popular international pop, electronic, and rock headliners. It has a lively dockside party atmosphere complete with food tents, beer gardens, and family entertainment earlier in the day
  
  
• Tórsfest (July): Tórshavn’s ultimate street festival, usually held in July before the national holiday, Ólavsøka. The main square (Vaglið) and downtown streets like Niels Finsens gøta transform into an enormous open-air concert venue. It features massive stages hosting prominent Danish, international, and Faroese pop and hip-hop acts, with the music and celebrations running late into the early morning.

Tórshavn Municipality hosts a rich array of recurring cultural events and festivals throughout the year, peaking during the vibrant summer months but extending into the autumn.

• Culture Night (»Mentanarnáttin«): Taking place on the first Friday in June, this community-wide event sees local businesses, institutions, and museums open their doors late into the night. The city fills with free public events, pop-up art showcases, and live indoor and outdoor musical performances
  
  
• Multicultural Week (»Fjølmentanarvikan«): Organized directly by the Tórshavn Municipality in late October, this week-long initiative celebrates the growing diversity of the islands. It features international food fairs, global music performances, family workshops, storytelling nights, and art exhibitions
  
  
• Tórshavn Marathon: Held every June, this scenic road race starts in the city center and winds along the dramatic Kaldbak fjord, drawing a mix of local athletic culture and international runners
  
  
• Summartónar: is the definitive soundtrack to the Faroese summer. Organized by the association of Faroese composers (Felagið Føroysk Tónaskøld), it is a massive, multi-month roaming festival of contemporary, classical, and jazz music. Dozens of intimacy-focused concerts pop up in public and unexpected spaces right across the municipality—ranging from The Nordic House and urban cafes like Blábar to local village halls and sea caves
  
  
• Grækarismessa (St. Gregory's Day - March 12): This traditional spring event formally welcomes the return of the Tjaldur (Oystercatcher), the national bird of the Faroe Islands. In Tórshavn, a public celebration is held in the city center where a local figure delivers a formal greeting speech (Grækarismessurøða), usually accompanied by school choirs and brass band music
  
  
• Flaggdagur (Flag Day - April 25): A proud patriotic and civic event commemorating the day the Faroese flag (Merkið) was officially recognized by the British government during World War II in 1940. It is marked by a formal municipal parade through downtown Tórshavn, scout marches, national music, and speeches at the central square
  
  
• Jóansøkubál (Midsummer Bonfires - June 23/24): Celebrating St. John's Eve, Jóansøkubál brings the municipality together for huge, highly controlled coastal bonfires. A notable gathering takes place on the rocky shores near Skansin Fort, where locals sing traditional hymns and folk songs into the midsummer twilight
  
  
• Slaktið (The Slaughter - Mid-September): A popular autumn culinary and cultural family event held down at the Vágsbotn harbor area. Organized to bridge urban life with agrarian heritage, local sheep and cattle are processed on-site by skilled farmers. Top local chefs convert the fresh meat into free public tastings, teaching younger generations exactly where their food comes from
  
  
• Grynnan: Grynnan (officially known as »Ein dagur á grynnuni«) is a massive and popular seafood festival held right in the absolute center of town

The Association Registry of Tórshavn Municipality (Faroese: »Felagsskráin«) is an official directory of local clubs, organizations, and leisure activities in the municipality. You can access the registry and its related services through the following official portals:

• Browse the Registry: On the Tórshavn Municipality Association Directory page, you can search through all registered associations—including sports clubs, boat clubs, and cultural organizations. You can also export the complete list as an Excel file
  
  
• Register a New Association: If you represent a local organization that should be included in the registry, you can submit your details online via the Register Your Association portal

Felagsskráin (torshavn.fo)

Register your association (torshavn.fo - in Faroese only)

Sports clubs are a great way to meet local people and make friends. If you have a particular interest, check the The Association Registry of Tórshavn Municipality »Felagsskráin« for contact information or ask the local sports club about joining.

Felagsskráin (torshavn.fo)

You can easily book a sports hall or outdoor field in Tórshavn Municipality through the official booking portal itrott.fo. The municipality has centralized the management of all municipal indoor halls and outdoor facilities here, allowing you to view real-time availability and submit your reservation directly online.

Itrott.fo (itrott.fo)

By the end of your first three months, your family should have:

• ✅ Residence/work permits approved
• ✅ Permanent housing secured
• ✅ Municipal registration completed
• ✅ P-tal issued for all family members
• ✅ TAKS registration completed
• ✅ Bank account operational
• ✅ Healthcare access established
• ✅ School enrollment completed
• ✅ Childcare/kindergarten placement confirmed
• ✅ Samleikin activated
• ✅ Vangin activated
• ✅ Faroese language course started
• ✅ Local community network established

1. Job offer
   ↓
2. Permit application
   ↓
3. Housing secured
4. ↓
5. Childcare waiting list
   ↓
6. Move to Tórshavn
   ↓
7. Municipal registration
   ↓
8. P-tal
   ↓
9. TAKS registration
   ↓
10. Bank account
    ↓
11. Healthcare activation
    ↓
12. Samleikin
    ↓
13. Vangin
    ↓
14. School registration
    ↓
15. Kindergarten placement
    ↓
16. Language classes
    ↓
17. Full integration