Moving to Faroe Islands: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

4 facts — expand for details.

Population

51,628

Population Growth Rate

0.47%

Urban Population

41.100000

Population in Major Urban Areas

TORSHAVN (capital) 20,000

6 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

19.980000

Median Age

37.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

13

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.67

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.39

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.070000

Ethnic Groups

Scandinavian

Nationality Noun

Faroese (singular and plural)

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

5 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

79.980000

Infant Mortality Rate

5.820000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

5.820000

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

0.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

0.000000

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic Overview

• Islands: Fishing
• Industry: The fishing industry is the backbone of the Faroe Islands' economy, accounting for approximately 90% of the country's exports. The Faroe Islands are home to a thriving fishing industry that exports fish and fish products to countries around the world. This industry has been modernized with advanced technology and techniques.
• Aquaculture: The Faroe Islands also have a growing aquaculture industry, primarily focused on salmon farming. This industry has expanded in recent years due to an increasing demand for salmon products globally.
• Tourism: Tourism is a growing industry in the Faroe Islands, with an increasing number of visitors attracted to the archipelago's natural beauty, cultural traditions, and unique way of life. The tourism sector is still relatively small, but it has significant potential for further development.
• Trade: The Faroe Islands trade with other countries for a variety of goods and services, including machinery, equipment, vehicles, and various consumer goods. The main trading partners of the Faroe Islands are Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Renewable
• Energy: The Faroe Islands have also made significant strides in developing renewable energy sources, particularly wind, and hydropower. The Faroe Islands have set a target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.
• Services: Services such as banking, insurance, and shipping also contribute to the Faroe Islands' economy. Overall, the Faroe Islands have a diverse and robust economy, with a strong emphasis on the fishing industry, developing aquaculture, and expanding tourism. The country is also committed to developing sustainable energy sources and investing in technological innovation.

Industries

fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$40,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9%

9 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$2,001,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$40,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9%

GDP - official exchange rate

$2,765,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 52% government
• consumption: 29.6% investment in fixed
• capital: 18.4%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

18%

GDP by Sector- Industry

39%

GDP by Sector- services

43%

Industrial Growth Rate

3.4%

4 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

-0.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

6.586

Currency Name and Code

Danish kroner (DKK)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

5 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

27,540

Unemployment Rate

2.2%

Major Industries

fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

Agriculture Products

milk, potatoes, vegetables, sheep, salmon, herring, mackerel and other fish

Population Below Poverty Line

10%

3 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

15%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

15%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

70%

4 facts — expand for details.

Annual Budget

$835,600,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

35%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-1.7%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

30.2%

7 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Faroe Islands

Local - Long

none

Local - Short

Foroyar

Etymology- history of name

the archipelago's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

National Holiday

Olaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

Constitution

• history: 5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands' constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm
• amendments: see entry for Denmark

Legal System:

the laws of Denmark apply where applicable

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017) (2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022)
• cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
• elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
• Elections: Faroese Parliament - last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026) Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 31 October 2022 (next to be held no later than 31 October 2026)
• Election Results: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - JF 26.6%, B 20%, A 18.9%, E 17.7%, F 7.5%, H 6.6%, seats by party - JF 9, B 7, A 6, E 6, F 3, H 2;
• Composition: men 27, women 6; percent of women 18.2% Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, B 1;
• Composition: men 2 2019: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - People's Party 24.2%, JF 21.2%, Union Party 21.2%, Republic 18.2%, Center Party 6%, Progress Party 6%, Self-Government Party 3%, seats by party - People's Party 8, JF 7, Union Party 7, Republic 6, Center Party 2, Progress Party 2, Self-Government Party 1,
• Composition: men 25, women 8; percent of women 24.2% Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, Republic 1;
• Composition: men 2

Judicial Branch:

• highest court(s): Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases
• the Court is part of the Danish legal system subordinate courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance
• Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
• Mixed Commercial Court
• Land Court

Regions or States:

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Center Party or H (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]
• People's Party or A (Folkaflokkurin) [Benir JOHANNESEN]
• Progress Party or F (Framsokn) [Ruth VANG]
• Republic or E (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL] (formerly the Republican Party)
• Self-Government Party or D (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Samal Peter I GRUND]
• Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF [Aksel V. JOHANNESEN]
• Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin) [Bardur A STEIG NIELSEN]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

see Denmark

4 facts — expand for details.

Capital Name

Torshavn

Capital - geographic coordinate

62 00 N, 6 46 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

• Arctic Council
• IMO (associate)
• NC
• NIB
• UNESCO (associate)
• UPU

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Dependency Status

part of the Kingdom of Denmark

self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948

5 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

62 00 N, 7 00 W

Total Area

538 Square Miles 1,393 Square Kilometers

Land Area

538 Square Miles 1,393 Square Kilometers

Coastline

694 Miles 1,117 Kilometers

5 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Highest Point

882 Meters

Highest Point Location

Slaettaratindur 882 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Time Zone

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

4 facts — expand for details.

Climate

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Terrain

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Location

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway

Total Area

538 Square Miles 1,393 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

NA

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$1,184,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$978,400,000 (USD)

Major Exports

fish and fish products (97%)

Major Imports

goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars

Top Export Partners

Russia 26.4%, UK 14.1%, Germany 8.4%, China 7.9%, Spain 6.8%, Denmark 6.2%, US 4.7%, Poland 4.4%, Norway 4.1%

Top Import Partners

Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3%

Export Partners

Russia 26.4%, UK 14.1%, Germany 8.4%, China 7.9%, Spain 6.8%, Denmark 6.2%, US 4.7%, Poland 4.4%, Norway 4.1%

Import Partners

Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3%

4 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

1

Airports with Paved Runways

1

Roadways- total

288 Miles 463 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

20,900

Cell Phones

50,000

Internet Users

34,000

Internet Country Code

.fo

Internet Hosts

8,936

Broadcast Media

• 1 publicly owned TV station
• the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network
• publicly owned radio station supplemented by 2 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies

Telephone System

• assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
• domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
• international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

264,400,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

275,800,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

4,871

3 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

"Tú alfagra land mítt" is the National anthem of the Faroe Islands. Lyrics are by Símun av Skarði and the melody by Peter Alberg

Anthem Lyrics

"Tú alfagra land mítt" Tú alfagra land mítt, mín dýrasta ogn! á vetri so randhvítt, á sumri við logn, tú tekur meg at tær so tætt í tín favn.

Tit oyggjar so mætar, Gud signi tað navn, sum menn tykkum góvu, tá teir tykkum sóu.

Ja, Gud signi Føroyar, mítt land!

Hin roðin, sum skínur á sumri í líð, hin ódnin, sum týnir mangt lív vetrartíð, og myrkrið, sum fjalir mær bjartasta mál, og ljósið, sum spælir mær sigur í sál: alt streingir, ið tóna, sum vága og vóna, at eg verji Føroyar, mítt land.

Eg nígi tí niður í bøn til tín, Gud: Hin heilagi friður mær falli í lut!

Lat sál mína tváa sær í tíni dýrd!

So torir hon vága - av Gudi væl skírd - at bera tað merkið, sum eyðkennir verkið, ið varðveitir Føroyar, mítt land!

Anthem Lyrics English

"My land, oh most beauteous" My land, oh most beauteous, possession most dear, Thou drawest me to thee, embracing me near; becalmed in the summer, in winter snow covered, magnificant islands, by God named beloved.

The name which men gave thee when they thee discovered, Oh, God bless thee, Faroes my land.

Bright gleam, which in summer makes hill-tops so fair; rough gale, which in winter drives men to despair; oh life taking storm, oh conquest of soul, all making sweet music uniting the whole.

Each hoping and trusting, inspiring us all, To guard thee, O Faroes my land.

And therefore, I kneel down, to Thee God, in prayer, may peaceful my lot be, and do thou me spare, my soul cleansed; in glory; I ask Thee to bless, when I raise my banner and venture the stress.

The sign of my task, be it lifted on high, To guard the, O Faroes my land.