Visa
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter the Faroe Islands. A list of countries that need and do not need a visa to enter can be found here: https://www.visitfaroeislands.com/plan-your-stay/before-you-arrive-in-the-faroe-islands/passport-visas/.

The nationalities requiring a visa for entering the Faroe Islands is the same as for Denmark. Find more information here: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Short-stay-visa/Visa-to-the-Faroe-Island-or-Greenland.

Note that there is a processing fee applicable to all visa applications.

Further information can be found on the website of the Faroe Islands Immigration Office.

The Faroe Islands is NOT part of the Schengen Area. Consequently, people cannot enter the Faroe Islands based on their Schengen visas or Danish visa. When a visa is applied for at the Danish Embassy, it must be specifically for the Faroe Islands.

Since most flights to the Faroe Islands go through Denmark, you might then need both a VISA for Denmark and a VISA for the Faroe Islands.

A visa normally grants you the right to stay in the entire Schengen region for up to 90 days.

However, if you are a citizen of an EU-country or Schengen country, you do not need a visa to visit the Faroe Islands.

Long stays (>90 days)

It depends on your citizenship whether you need a residence and work permit to be able to work in the Faroe Islands.

Citizens from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland) are free to reside, study and work in the Faroe Islands.

Foreign citizens, except Nordic nationals, need a work and residence permit before they start working in the Faroe Islands. Guidelines on work permits in the Faroe Islands can be found at the Danish Immigration Service.

The Danish Immigration Service provides guidance on visa regulation and application.

Covid-19

You can find the official information website concerning COVID19 on the website of the Government of the Faroe Islands.

Instrumentation (import/export)
Information about import of goods to the Faroe Islands are provided by the Faroese Tax Authority (TAKS).
When travelling to the Faroe Islands, all fishing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and properly treated in order to kill any fish-pathogens.

Samples

For sending samples abroad, an export permit is needed for biological samples of CITES listed species (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The recipient of the samples must also have an import permit.

In some cases, a “zoo-sanitary certificate” from the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority is needed.

Further information: The Environment Agency (Umhvørvisstovan)

Chemicals
In general, it is recommended to use a shipping/transport agency, in order to assure compliance with complex regulations. Research stations and institutions may provide access to some types of chemicals that can be used by visiting scientists.

Protected areas
The Faroe Islands are part of the Ramsar Convention – an international treaty for the preservation of areas with special significance for birdlife and biological diversity. Three areas have been appointed Ramsar areas: Mykines, Nólsoy and Skúvoy. Note that a fee may have to be paid to access Mykines and possibly other Ramsar sites.

The Faroe Islands have developed their own research permit information website.

Personal data
All research involving personal data must comply with the rules in the Faroese Data Protection Act.

Transfer of personal data to a country or an international organisation outside the European Union or the European Economic Area may take place only if the minister for the data protection has decided that the country or the organisation in question secures an adequate level of protection.

Further information: The Data Protection Authority

Marine Research

Research vessels planning to do surveys on plankton and fish must acquire permission for the cruise from the Ministry of Fisheries through the Danish Embassy of their home country – find Danish Embassy.

Research vessels planning to do hydrographic surveys in the Faroese waters must acquire permission for the cruise from the Ministry of Fisheries through the Danish embassy of their home country – find Danish Embassy.

If the research vessel intends to enter the 12 miles zone, a notice have to be given several days in advance.

Further information can be found at the Faroe Marine Research Institute (Havstovan), contact e-mail: hav@hav.fo.

Biological Research

Most bird species are protected and only limited and strictly regulated hunt of species that are not protected is allowed. Nesting areas are also protected during breeding season. Dispensation can be given for catching birds for scientific purposes enquire at the Ministry of Environment, Industry and Trade.

Permits needed for biological research:

Permit from landowner to do field research and collect samples – find landowners on map (in Faroese language, tick off ‘Matriklar’) or contact Environment Agency: us@us.fo.

Permit from the National Museum to collect samples from preserved species.

Permit from the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority to fish in water used for smolt breeding.

Permits needed for bird ringing:

Ringing permit (a Danish license for ringing of birds administered by the National History Museum of Denmark – contact: ringing@snm.ku.dk).

Plastic ring permit (a special license needed for plastic rings which are typically used for placing transmitters on birds – contact National History Museum of Denmark at ringing@snm.ku.dk.

Biomedical Sciences

Researchers carrying out research on human data are obliged to inform all participants of the purpose of the data processing and get their acceptance. All personal data must be protected and it must be ensured that the data can by no means be traced back to the individual.

All biomedical research has to be approved by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (Landsapotekarin). Contact email: landsapotekarin@apotek.fo

Genetic research related to Faroese citizens has to be approved by the Genetic Biobank (Ílegusavnið). Contact email: biobank@biobank.fo

When carrying out research involving data on human health at the National Hospital (Landssjúkrahúsið), several requirements must be met:

A formal agreement must be signed between the researcher and the National Hospital.

A risk evaluation based on the processing of personal data must be made

Contact email: ls@ls.fo

Geological Surveys

Permits are needed when carrying out geological research in the Faroe Islands, depending on what kind of work is being carried out.

Onshore surveys

For research related to hydrocarbon onshore in the Faroe Islands, the scientific project leader must acquire permission from Faroese Geological Survey (Jarðfeingi).
Jarðfeingi
When carrying out field work where samples will be taken, it is necessary to acquire a permit from the landowners. Jarðfeingi is able to assist with issues of this kind.

For research based on archive sampling, researchers can apply for permission to use samples from cores and other material in the Jarðfeingi archive. A special application form from Jarðfeingi has to be filled out.

Offshore surveys

For offshore surveys related to hydrocarbon in the Faroese territory (domestic or international), the scientific project leader must acquire permission for the cruise from Jarðfeingi.

For international offshore surveys with no relation to hydrocarbon in the Faroese offshore territory, the scientific project leader must acquire permission for the cruise through the national embassy of the project leader.

Further information: Faroese Geological Survey (Jarðfeingi). Contact email: jardfeingi@jardfeingi.fo.

Cultural heritage and archaeology studies

Faroe Islands National Museum is responsible for all archeological research projects in the Faroe Islands. Foreign researchers who want to conduct archeological research in the Faroe Islands must contact the National Museum.

All land based archeological sites, visible and hidden, are protected. It is forbidden to disturb archeological sites in any way. Use of metal detectors near an archeological site is only allowed with special permission from the National Museum.

Archeological objects older than 100 years on land and at sea, up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline, including shipwrecks, are the property of the Faroe Islands. Objects from the Second World War are protected under the same rules.

All archeological finds on land or at sea must immediately be reported to the National Museum. If the item has been picked up, it must immediately be handed to the Museum. Metallic items must under no circumstances be cleaned before being handed over to the Museum.

Further information: Faroe Islands National Museum (Tjóðsavnið). Contact email: savn@savn.fo.

General information

You need to obtain permission from the local authorities and landowners before carrying out any interventions in the natural landscape, such as setting up fences or installing equipment. Contact the station managers for guidance on permit applications for areas around the research stations or find landowners on map (in Faroese language, tick off ‘Matriklar’) or contact Environment Agency: us@us.fo.

Drone use

There are rules for drone use in the Faroe Islands. Find more information on the website of the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

In general, it is permitted to fly drones not weighing more than 25kg in the Faroe Islands, providing the following conditions are met:

Drones must not be operated within 150 m of a village, town or city or within 150 m of main roads that connect villages.

Drones must not be operated within a 5 km-radius of Vágar Airport.

Drones must not be flown over summer houses or camping areas, or in places where many people are gathered, e.g. at festivals.

Drones must not be operated at altitudes of >100 m above ground.

Drones must be insured.

Regulations on unmanned aircraft not weighing more than 25kg.

Institutes and private companies can apply for dispensation from the rules if the drone is to be used for tests, research or commercial purposes. Drone pilots embraced by the dispensation must be able to document experience with drone flights and possibly pass a practical test. Find more information on the website of the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

Weapons

It is illegal to import weapons and fireworks without a permit issued by the police. Without a permit, weapons and fireworks are always withheld by customs. The police will then decide whether the item can be released or it must be destroyed.

You must be aged 18 or above to import weapons and fireworks.

Enquire at Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority – Contact email: info@trafikstyrelsen.dk

If you work out of a research station, it is highly recommended to ask for guidance from the station manager. Information about station specific permits and policies can often be found on their respective websites. Contact information for all INTERACT stations.

The Faroe Islands have developed their own research permit information website.

Research Council Faroe Islands

The Environment Agency (Umhvørvisstovan)