Agriculture Jobs in Iceland

Iceland grows tomatoes, cucumbers and even bananas in greenhouses heated by geothermal water, close to the Arctic Circle. It is one of the few places on Earth where volcanic heat makes year-round growing possible in a cold climate.

EU Helpers connects farm and food production workers with employers in Iceland. We check your work history, any licences you hold and what you can do. Then we match you to open roles. We also help with the paperwork and the move. Browse our wider agriculture hiring landscape across Europe to see how Iceland fits in.

Quick facts:

• Icelandic greenhouses are heated by geothermal water.

• That allows year-round growing near the Arctic.

• Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are the main crops.

• Icelandic helps, though sites use several languages.

• Entry-level farm work needs no training anywhere in Europe.

Why Iceland's Farms Are Hiring

Geothermal heat is what makes it possible. Volcanic water warms the greenhouses and cheap geothermal power runs the lights, so growing continues through the dark winter.

The sector is small in absolute terms, but it is unlike anything else in Europe.

Sheep and dairy farming run year-round, and summer brings additional outdoor work.

Two Ways to Work

The market is small, so roles are limited even though the conditions are unique.

What Does a Farm Job in Iceland Involve?

Farm and food work splits into four areas. Here is how each one looks.

Picking and harvesting. Picking, cutting, and field work through the Iceland season. No training needed, and employers train you on arrival.

Growing under cover. Greenhouse and tunnel work in Iceland runs longer than field work, often year-round, in controlled conditions.

Animals and dairy. Livestock and dairy work in Iceland is year-round and needs people who are steady and reliable with animals.

Food production. Food plants in Iceland run year-round on shifts, with hygiene training provided on arrival.

Farm Roles in Demand in Iceland

• Greenhouse operative: Geothermal-heated growing running through the Arctic winter.

• Sheep and dairy farm worker: Year-round livestock work across the country.

• Food production operative: Fish and food packing and processing plants.

• Seasonal farm hand: Summer outdoor work when conditions allow.

• Packing shed worker: Sorting and packing produce to retail standards across Iceland.

• Forklift driver: Moving pallets in Iceland packing sheds and food plants. A licence helps a great deal.

• Team leader: Running a picking or line crew on Icelandic farms and in food plants.

Polish is widely spoken on Icelandic farms and in greenhouses, given how many Polish workers are there.

How Much You Can Earn

Icelandic farm pay is high in cash terms and covered by agreements. Living costs are among Europe's highest, so a room and board being provided matters a great deal.

Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply

• Geothermal heat allows year-round growing.

• The market is small, so roles are limited.

• Living costs are among Europe's highest.

• Polish is widely spoken on Icelandic farms.

• Always get room and board terms and deductions in writing before you accept.

Skills and Experience You Need

These points apply to Icelandic nationals and foreign applicants alike. Employers care about what you can do.

Starting (Picker, Farm Hand)

• No training needed. Employers train you on arrival.

• You are fit enough for long days on your feet, often outdoors.

• You work steadily, because picking is paid on what you get done.

Skilled (Machinery, Livestock, Food Line)

• One or more seasons of farm or food work you can describe

• A tractor or forklift licence, if you have one

• Basic understanding of hygiene rules, which employers explain on arrival

Supervisory (Team Leader, Farm Manager)

• Two or more years, including running a picking or line team

• You can keep daily records and hit a target without being watched.

• Enough of the local language for safety briefings and instructions

Icelandic helps, though greenhouses and farms often run in a mix of languages, including Polish and English.

No training is needed for greenhouse or farm work. Livestock records help for sheep and dairy roles.

Papers You Need

If You're an Icelandic National

• National ID card or passport

• Any licences you hold, such as tractor or forklift

• A list of the farms or plants you have worked on

• Reference contacts from past employers

• Health declaration confirming you are fit for the work.

If You're a Foreign Candidate

• A valid passport

• A signed job offer from an Iceland-based farm or food producer

• Any licences you hold, translated if asked.

• Criminal record certificate from your home country

• Health declaration confirming you are fit for the work.

• Written proof of room and board and what is deducted from your pay

EU Helpers is not a government body. We do not issue work permits or residence permits. We help you get your papers ready. Iceland is in the EEA but not the EU. Non-EU and non-EEA candidates apply through Iceland's own permit process. The authority always makes the final call.

How EU Helpers Helps You

• We are honest that the market is small, even though the work is unusual.

• We get room and board terms and any deductions in writing before you accept.

• We tell you how long the season really runs, so a short contract never comes as a surprise.

• We help you prepare your papers for hiring and the move.

• After you start, we check in to see how things are going.

Why Choose EU Helpers in Iceland

• We know Polish is widely spoken on Icelandic farms.

• We check every candidate well before we send them to an employer.

• Our network reaches Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. That gives employers a wider pool than local hiring.

• If Iceland is the wrong fit for what you want, we say so and look at other markets with you.

Get Started

Job Seekers

Sign up, share your work history, and tell us whether you want seasonal or year-round work. Register as a job seeker to start.

Farms and Food Producers

Get access to checked farm and food workers for your Iceland sites. We handle the papers and the move. Start an employer partnership to tell us what you need.

Recruiters

Work with EU Helpers to place farm workers into Icelandic greenhouse and livestock work. Apply to join our recruiter network to get started.

Close to this field: see green economy jobs in Iceland and hospitality jobs in Iceland, which also hire seasonally. Looking at something else? See construction jobs in Iceland, elderly care jobs in Iceland, renewable energy jobs in Iceland, civil engineering jobs in Iceland, real estate jobs in Iceland, finance jobs in Iceland, legal services jobs in Iceland, data science jobs in Iceland, education jobs in Iceland, architecture jobs in Iceland, urban planning jobs in Iceland and customer service jobs in Iceland, or see every sector on our industries hub. Thinking about the move? Read our Iceland relocation guide, or browse open farm roles across Europe; for anything else, contact our team.