Everything a newcomer needs to feel at home in the Municipality of Runavík — registering when you arrive, finding a school or a doctor, sorting your waste, learning Faroese, and getting to know the community of 15 villages around the Faroe Islands' largest natural harbour.
Report your arrival, get your p‑tal, set up Samleikin & MínBoks.
First steps →Nurseries, kindergarten and the schools in the municipality.
Family & children →Health insurance is automatic — find your practice & phone hours.
Health & care →Evening classes, free online courses and community life.
Culture & language →Runavík Municipality lies on Eysturoy, the second‑largest island in the Faroe Islands, wrapped around the sheltered fjord of Skálafjørður. It's the country's third‑largest municipality, home to 4,439 people (as of 1 January 2026), with its administrative centre in Saltangará — where the municipal office, citizen service point and main harbour all sit within a few minutes of each other.
Eysturoy sits at the heart of the country, connected to the capital island of Streymoy by bridge and by the Eysturoyartunnilin subsea tunnel, bringing Tórshavn within roughly 15–20 minutes of Saltangará. A second tunnel, Norðoyatunnilin, links north to Klaksvík and the Northern Isles — so the municipality is an easy base for reaching almost anywhere.
The landscape ranges from calm fjord‑side villages around Skálafjørður to the dramatic sea cliffs and hiking country of Funningur and Elduvík. Skálafjørður is the longest fjord in the country and, sheltered from the open sea, forms the Faroe Islands' largest natural harbour — the reason so much shipping, fishing and aquaculture is concentrated along its shores.
Day‑to‑day life centres on a handful of larger villages: Saltangará is the administrative heart — the municipal office, citizen service, shops and the main harbour are all here — with Runavík, Glyvrar and Skála nearby making up the main built‑up area around the fjord. The outer villages, from Funningur and Elduvík in the north to Æðuvík in the south, are smaller and quieter, but all are within easy reach by road. You can explore each of the fifteen on VisitRunavík.
What sets the municipality apart is that each merged village keeps its own local committee (staðbundin nevnd) — a directly‑involved group of residents representing their village to the Council. New residents are welcome to get involved from day one.
Personal guidance for new residents on municipal services, schooling, leisure and community life —
the single most useful contact for a newcomer.
Sølvi Reinert Hansen · 📞 +298 22 12 26
· ✉️ solvi@runavik.fo
The Faroe Islands share several national registration systems with Denmark. Here's what to do, in the order you'll likely need it, in your first days and weeks.
Report to the municipal office in Saltangará in person. Nordic citizens: bring a valid passport or national ID. Non‑Nordic citizens: bring a valid passport and your Residence Permit. Staff will help you register and explain the next steps.
The p‑tal is required for almost everything — healthcare, banking, tax, schooling, digital services. Nordic citizens staying 6+ months are usually eligible immediately; non‑Nordic citizens once their stay exceeds 3 months (TAKS may issue a temporary p‑tal meanwhile). Registering the whole family together speeds things up. Getting a p‑tal automatically enrols you in national health insurance.
Samleikin is the national digital ID for banking, tax, healthcare and municipal self‑service — free, from age 15 with a p‑tal, as an app or USB key. MínBoks is your secure digital mailbox for official post. Stuck? The digital‑service desk helps in English: Talgildu Føroyar, tel. 1881, 1881@talgildu.fo, weekdays 8:00–16:30.
Nordic citizens: no permit needed. EU/EEA: generally free to live and work, but still register. Other citizens: a Residence Permit and usually a Work Permit are required before starting work — handled by the Immigration Office (Útlendingastovan), Skálatrøð 20, Tórshavn, tel. +298 35 79 79, info@utlendingastovan.fo. If your profession is regulated, check whether your qualifications need authorisation.
Once in permanent housing, register your address through the national portal (Vangin, via Samleikin), and notify your bank, insurer, phone provider and the electricity provider SEV.
Renting or building, keeping the lights on, and the coloured‑bag recycling system.
From flats in Saltangará and Runavík to traditional village houses. Building, extending or changing use is regulated by the municipality's building code (Byggisamtykt); planning and zoning maps are at the municipal office. New plots are released periodically — watch the municipality's news page.
Electricity from SEV — register your meter reading when you move in/out. Water and drainage are run by the municipality. Mains is 230V / 50Hz, Europlug or Type K (Danish) sockets. Heating is mostly electric; some newer developments use district or ground‑source heat.
Sorted into general waste and recyclables via IRF's coloured‑bag system. Hazardous waste (batteries, chemicals, electronics) goes in separate transparent bags; cardboard and paper are collected roughly every six weeks — check your village's rota.
| Village | Address | Weekday hours | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runavík | Fjøruvegur 9 | Tue–Fri 17:00–19:00 (closed Mon) | 14:00–19:00 |
| Skála | Bátahylurin 24 | Tue & Thu 17:00–19:00 | 14:00–18:00 |
| Oyndarfjørður | Víkarvegur 18 | Wed 17:00–19:00 | 14:00–17:00 |
| Funningsfjørður | Funningsvegur 7 | Wed 17:00–19:00 | 14:00–17:00 |
| Funningur | Oman í Fjøru 41 | Wed 17:00–19:00 | 14:00–17:00 |
Everyday groceries are covered by supermarkets in Runavík, Glyvrar and Skála. Most stay open late — until 10 pm — every day except Sunday, when they're closed, so it's worth planning your weekend shop ahead. For essentials on a Sunday, the petrol stations and convenience stores stay open.
Also worth knowing: most bottles and cans carry a refundable deposit (pant) at supermarkets · oil heating tanks must be registered with the municipality · report rodent problems, invasive plants and stray or injured animals to the municipal office.
Daycare, nine years of schooling, leisure clubs, benefits and child welfare.
Nurseries for the youngest and kindergartens for roughly ages 3–6, with childminding (dagrøkt) in some villages. Apply early — demand can exceed supply in popular villages. No p‑tal yet? The municipality can issue a temporary number so an application can still be processed. Moving here? You can apply for a place up to six months before you move — you don't have to be resident yet. Applications, fees and the income‑based free‑place scheme (frípláss) are all at runavik.fo/barnaansing. Extra support is available for children with special needs, and educational‑psychology guidance can be arranged.
A health visitor (heilsufrøðingur) — a specialist children's nurse — supports families with babies and young children and works in the schools; the service is arranged by area through Gigni (gigni.fo).
Compulsory schooling (fólkaskúli) runs nine years, usually from the year a child turns 7, preceded by an optional pre‑school (forskúli) year. Pupils who need it get extra Faroese‑as‑a‑second‑language lessons, and special‑education support (sernám) is provided within mainstream schools or dedicated settings. A regional advisory service, Sernám, also offers educational and psychological guidance to nurseries, schools and parents directly — parents can contact it themselves (sernam.fo). After school, most villages offer a leisure club (frítíðarskúli).
| Centre | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Barnagarðurin á Mýrunum (nursery & kindergarten, 1–6) | Mýravegur 30, 620 Runavík | +298 44 82 54 · barnag.myrunum@runavik.fo |
| Náttúrubarnagarðurin Sóljuhjarta (nature kindergarten, 3–6) | Niðari Vegur 31, 660 Søldarfjørður | +298 29 71 71 · soljuhjarta@runavik.fo |
| Hólmurin (nursery, 1–3 · part of Sóljuhjarta) | Søldarfjarðarvegur 21, 660 Søldarfjørður | +298 29 71 77 · soljuhjarta@runavik.fo |
| Barnahúsið Sellin (nursery & kindergarten, 1–6) | Gerðisgøta 5, 480 Skála | +298 66 71 61 · sellin@runavik.fo |
| Dagrøktin (childminding / dagrøkt) | Heiðavegur 22, 600 Saltangará | +298 44 85 94 · dagrokt@runavik.fo |
Places are allocated by the municipality — apply and see current details at runavik.fo/dagstovnar.
| School | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Skúlin við Løkin (Runavíkar kommunuskúli) | Rókavegur 1, 620 Runavík | +298 47 73 31 · rks@skulin.fo |
| Glyvra skúli (part of Runavíkar kommunuskúli) | Glyvravegur 10, 625 Glyvrar | +298 44 73 31 · rks@skulin.fo |
| Skála skúli | Skálavegur 194, 480 Skála | +298 44 13 68 · skalask@olivant.fo |
| Oyndarfjarðar skúli | Fløtuvegur 1, 690 Oyndarfjørður | +298 44 46 72 · oyn@skulin.fo |
| Frískúlin Keldan (independent school · preschool–7th grade) | Skálafjarðarvegur 26, 485 Skálafjørður | +298 44 25 02 · friskulin@keldan.fo |
Frískúlin Keldan is an independent school (frískúli) rather than a municipal one. It is here in the municipality, and takes children from anywhere — see fsk.fo.
Handled locally by a joint service covering Runavík, Nes and Sjóvar municipalities. By law, anyone with concerns about a child's welfare has a duty to notify authorities, and any physical punishment of children is illegal in the Faroe Islands.
Barnaverndartænastan við Skálafjørðin
Mýravegur 26, 620 Runavík
📞 +298 41 70 90 (weekdays 9:00–14:00)
🚨 Duty line, outside office hours only: +298 23 70 90
✉️ barnavernd@runavik.fo
National Child Protection Agency
Barnaverndarstovan
🔗 bvs.fo
Healthcare, dental care and support for older residents. Once you have a p‑tal you're automatically enrolled in Heilsutrygd, the national health insurance — no separate application needed.
| Practice | Location | Phone hours | Telephone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Mýravegur 4, 620 Runavík | 8:00–10:00 | +298 47 70 10 |
| Practice 2 | Mýravegur 4, 620 Runavík | 8:00–10:00 | +298 47 70 20 |
| Practice 3 | Mýravegur 4, 620 Runavík | 8:00–10:00 | +298 47 70 30 |
| Practices 4 & 5 | Fløtuvegur 1, 490 Strendur | 8:00–10:00 | +298 47 70 40 |
Dentist (free under 18) · health visitor (early years & schools) · midwife (weekly clinic in Runavík) · dietitian (by GP referral) · laboratory (Tue mornings, Runavík) · regional psychiatry (local community team).
112 life‑threatening emergencies · 1870 out‑of‑hours GP · Emergency dental (adults): +298 31 45 44 (chargeable).
Run jointly by Runavík, Nes & Sjóvar municipalities: prevention, physio & OT,
home help, home nursing, assisted living and a nursing home, plus a visiting service and the Nón association.
Friðartún 1, 620 Runavík · +298 47 82 00 · rodin.fo
The municipality provides free dental care for children up to age 18, through two clinics:
Tannlæknastovan í Saltangará
Heiðavegur 36 B, 600 Saltangará · +298 66 74 07
Tannfegin – Tannlæknastovan á Skála
Gerðisgøta 7, 480 Skála · +298 44 12 72
Prescription and over‑the‑counter medicine, right here in Runavík. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30 · Sat 10:00–14:00 · closed Sunday.
The municipality's central location on Eysturoy makes it an easy base for reaching the rest of the country by road.
The Eysturoyartunnilin subsea tunnel connects the area directly to Tórshavn in around 15–20 minutes; Norðoyatunnilin links north to Klaksvík and the Northern Isles. Vágar Airport — the country's only airport — is reachable by car or the regional (blue) bus in well under an hour.
Tunnel tolls are billed automatically by number‑plate camera — nothing to stop for. As a guide, a standard car costs ~175 DKK each way without a subscription, or ~75 DKK each way with the annual subscription (~200 DKK/year), which covers all subsea tunnels — worthwhile for regular commuters.
Regional buses: Strandfaraskip Landsins (SSL) runs the blue Bygdaleiðir network connecting the municipality's villages with Tórshavn, Klaksvík and the airport — timetables, tickets and live tracking at ssl.fo. Between villages, transport can be limited outside commuter hours — many residents walk, cycle or share journeys.
Driving: roads are well maintained, but some village and mountain roads are single‑lane with passing places — the driver nearest a passing place (or the smaller vehicle) gives way. Watch for sheep, especially near lambing in spring, and drive carefully in tunnels and along coastal roads in poor weather.
The municipality's economy has long centred on fishing, aquaculture and shipping — reflected in the scale of Runavíkar Havn on Skálafjørður, the Faroe Islands' largest natural harbour.
Two of the country's largest employers are based here: Bakkafrost, one of the world's largest salmon farmers, headquartered with a major plant in Glyvrar; and the country's largest shipyard in Skála. Alongside are public‑sector employers, retail, trades and a growing number of small businesses in the designated business areas (vinnuøki).
The national job portal starv.fo is a good starting point; many employers advertise directly, and direct enquiries to harbour, fishing and aquaculture employers are common.
Apply for space in the municipality's business areas (vinnuøki); boat owners can apply for a mooring or slip (bátapláss) at the harbour. Commercial waste is collected separately — contact the municipal office to arrange it for a new business.
Nothing helps you settle in faster than joining something. So much of life here happens through clubs and associations (feløg) — and taking part is the warmest, quickest way to get to know your neighbours and feel part of the community. For children especially, a team or a club is often where the first real friendships are made, where Faroese is picked up almost without noticing, and where a new place quickly starts to feel like home.
There's something for every age and interest — football, handball, swimming, gymnastics, running and rowing, along with scouts, choirs and youth clubs for teenagers. Most clubs warmly welcome newcomers and complete beginners, so your children can join whether or not they've ever tried it before. At the heart of it all is Bylgjan, the municipality's main sports centre — long home to handball, gymnastics, badminton and much more — where a brand‑new swimming pool opened in 2026 (bylgjan.fo). Skála also has its own sports hall, used for handball, and there are football grounds in both Runavík and Skála.
You don't need a word of Faroese to take part — and joining in is one of the best ways to learn it, and to make friends who'll help the whole family find its feet. Cost needn't hold your children back either: the municipality's Spjaldur scheme covers membership fees for everyone aged 0–18. Not sure where to begin? Just ask — the Integration Coordinator, Visit Runavík and the library are all happy to help you and your children find a club that fits.
Always check bylgjan.fo for the current opening hours before you go.
Photo: runavik.fo
A relaxed, substance‑free youth house for teenagers — from 7th grade up to age 17 — at Heiðavegur 46 in Saltangará, and a great place for a newcomer to meet other young people. Staff and the members plan activities together, and it hosts public events and live music that everyone is welcome to. It's open five evenings a week: Tue–Thu 18:00–22:00, Fri 19:00–23:00, Sat 19:00–01:00.
You can simply turn up — membership isn't required — but joining is 500 kr/year (payable with Spjaldur) and includes a hoodie and free access to extras. Tel. 23 70 85 · gulasmidja@runavik.fo
The sports clubs listed by the municipality, plus the local scouts — most welcome new members of all ages and abilities. (Source: runavik.fo/itrottur.)
This is mainly the sports side. The municipality keeps a fuller register of clubs and leisure associations — from the music school (Musikkskúlin) to the evening & youth school (Kvøld- og ungdómsskúlin) — at runavik.fo/fritid.
Associations, choirs, festivals, libraries — and learning Faroese, which makes an enormous difference to daily life and to feeling part of the community.
Løkshøll is the municipality's main venue for cultural events, concerts and gatherings (loksholl.fo). Beyond it, much of local social life happens through associations (feløg), choirs and church communities in each village — and joining in is one of the easiest ways to meet people and feel at home. (For sports clubs, scouts and the Spjaldur scheme, see Getting involved above.)
Even a little Faroese makes a real difference — to everyday life, to feeling part of things, and to work. Several options are free for adults.
Courses. Locally, Kvøldskúlin (the regional evening & youth school) runs Faroese for adults alongside its other classes, right here in the municipality (kurk.fo). For a fuller, exam‑based programme there is Faroese as a Second Language for Adults (Føroyskt sum annaðmál) — four levels, each ending in an assessment. It runs free at several colleges around the country, and the nearest is right here on Eysturoy at Kambsdalur, a short drive away. You pay only for your own textbooks. Details and how to sign up are at kambsdalur.fo (or email fsa@uvs.fo). Some employers also arrange Faroese lessons for their staff — worth asking where you work.
Study on your own, free. Faroese Online — an interactive course with listening exercises, from the University of the Faroe Islands and the University of Iceland (faroeseonline.com); Sprotin — the most popular free dictionary and app, covering Faroese to English, Danish, German and more, with pronunciation and word forms (sprotin.fo); the beginners' course "Faroese – A Language Course for Beginners" (Stiðin), taught in English and with free online audio; and a downloadable pictorial dictionary from Nám.
Some of the upcoming concerts, shows and films — see the full programme and buy tickets at atgongumerki.fo.
Workshops, talks and reading groups at Bókasavnið við Løkin — many for children and families. See the full calendar at lokin.fo/calendar.
How the municipality is governed — and how residents, including newcomers, can get involved.
An elected Council (Býráð) meets in public session, responsible for schools, daycare, elderly care, waste, roads and planning. Meetings (býráðsfundir) and agendas are published in advance on the municipality's website.
Each merged village keeps its own local committee (staðbundin nevnd) — a direct channel to raise local concerns with the Council, and an excellent way for new residents to get involved in community life close to home.
Municipal elections are held every four years, on the second Tuesday of November. Non‑Faroese citizens who have been permanent residents for at least three years may vote in and stand for municipal elections — worth knowing well before the next election.
The eleven members of the Municipal Council for the 2025–2028 term. They're your elected representatives — you're welcome to email them directly. See the full list of councils and committees at runavik.fo/byradid.
This website is a growing work in progress, and it can't cover every situation. If something you're looking for is missing, unclear, or out of date, get in touch with the Integration Coordinator directly. No question is too small — help is available in English, and you're always welcome.
Phone or email any time. The coordinator isn't at the office every day, so if you'd prefer to meet in person, please get in touch to arrange an appointment. For general enquiries you can also visit the citizen service point at Heiðavegur 54, Saltangará, or contact Visit Runavík (+298 41 70 60 · visit@runavik.fo).
Get occasional news for newcomers — practical updates and upcoming integration events. In English. Unsubscribe anytime.
The fastest page on the site to scan in a hurry.
Heiðavegur 54, 600 Saltangará
+298 41 70 00 ·
runavik@runavik.fo
Mon–Thu 9:00–16:00 · Fri 9:00–15:00
Sølvi Reinert Hansen
+298 22 12 26 · solvi@runavik.fo
Your personal guide to
services, schooling, leisure and community life.
Tourist information centre
Heiðavegur 13, 600 Saltangará
+298 41 70 60 · visit@runavik.fo
