Tax efficient pension options

Private pension savings can be used towards your current mortgage or buying a new home. The government's actions regarding the tax-free payment of private pension savings into housing loans are now divided into three. We offer different investment options to suit different situations.

Which option should you choose?


The government now offers three options with regard to the tax free payment of a private pension towards a mortgage:

  • Support for first buyers: Effective from the 1st of July, 2017 and retroactive to the 1st of July, 2014
  • Private pension towards a mortgage: Effective from July, 2014 and extended to the 31st of December, 2025
  • Saving for a home: Effective from July, 2014 until the 31st of December, 2025

The options outlined above are only available to those who have a private pension. More information is provided below.

Apply for private pension

Private pension towards a mortgage


A tax free option for those who already have a mortgage. 
Effective from July, 2014 and extended to the 31st of December, 2025.

Authorisation for the tax free payment of a private pension towards a mortgage has been extended by two years or until the 31st of December, 2024. The initial authorisation was effective from the 1st of July, 2014 until the 30th of June, 2017.

We draw attention to the need to apply for and confirm in particular the continuing allocation of private pension savings to mortgages.

Information about the resource can be found on the RSK website (in Icelandic). There you can also submit an application.

Saving for a home


A tax free option for those planning to buy a home. 
Effective from July, 2014 until the 31st of December, 2025.

Authorisation for the tax free payment of a private pension towards saving for a new home for own use. The premium paid between the 1st of July, 2014 until the 30th of June, 2017 can be used for this purpose but you can use the funds to purchase a property until the 31st of December, 2024. The owner of the pension plan cannot own a property during the aforementioned period.

First home


A tax free option for those planning to buy their first home.
Valid for a continuous period of 10 years.

The Icelandic Act on first home buyer assistance was passed on the 1st of July, 2017. The Act authorises the tax free payment of a private pension towards buying a home or paying towards a mortgage. Anyone can utilise this option for a period of ten years. The Act is intended to help first home buyers. Those who have not been owners of residential property in the last 5 years can be considered first time buyers.

Want to know more?

Here are some things that could answer your questions. You can also talk to a consultant in the online chat or call a counseling center. We do our best to answer right away.