• Applications must be submitted electronically to postur@mvf.is and an application form can be downloaded here

    If it is not possible to submit applications—or all data—electronically, applications can be sent by post or delivered to the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs (Address: Skulagata 4, 101, Reykjavik).

    Requested information :

    • Information about the applicant (source, country, phone number, identity number -etc).

    • Bank information

    • Information about the phonograms (duration and release date)

    • Information on all performers on the phonograms (just the names)

    • Invoices, cost summary, and receipt of payment Information on Icelandic public grants - if the producer has received such grants - must be informed of the grant and amount.

    • Proof of no indebtedness to STEF (or other affiliates) and the Treasury's collector.

    (No indebtedness meaning that: The producer is not behind on royalties with STEF. The producer is not behind on public dues and fees)

    • The combined playing time of the recorded music shall not be less than 14 minutes (for music recorded for film and TV see p.7).

    • All phonograms must have been released within a period of eighteen months.

    • No more than six months must have elapsed since the release of the latest phonogram.

    • Itemized accounts for eligible costs incurred while recording, along with copies of invoices and proof of payment must be included.

    • Information on the parties involved in the recording and performing.

    • The phonograms must have been released and made accessible to the general public (for music recorded for film and TV see p.7).

    • An ISRC code must have been allocated to the phonograms (this excludes music recorded for film and TV - See p.7).

    • The final registration of recorded works must have been completed with authorized copyright societies.

    • No indebtedness to STEF or to the Icelandic Government.

  • The eligible cost is the aggregated cost used to calculate the reimbursement amount.

    • Hourly studio rates for recording.

    • Wage expenses incurred during the recording for hired performers, producers, engineers or studio personnel.

    • Post-production (including sound mixing and mastering).

    • Travel and transport costs for musical instruments and lead performers.

    • Salary of the applicant (producer), cf. Article 7.

    • When recording occurs at a concert, exhibition or similar event, only direct costs for recording, post- production and royalties for performers may be calculated for reimbursement.

    • The reimbursement scheme does not cover recording for the promotion of a particular product or service or recording of an audiobook.

  • The producer of the phonogram must apply for the reimbursement.

  • 25% of the eligible cost incurred in Iceland when recording the phonograms.

  • This reimbursement scheme applies to eligible costs incurred when recording music in Iceland.

    • However, cost incurred within the European Economic Area (EEA) can be applicable, when 80% of the applied cost incurred in Iceland, the remaining 20% can be incurred in another EEA country.

    • When less than 80% of the recording cost (applied for) is incurred in Iceland, the reimbursement is calculated on the basis that the total eligible cost incurred within the European Economic Area amounts to 20%.

    Therefore, a foreign partnership is possible if more than 80% of the (applied for) recording cost is incurred in Iceland, while the rest is incurred within the EEA.

  • Audio records are considered published when issued and made available to the public. Therefore, a phonogram is considered “published” when properly authorized to be sold, borrowed or rented - or otherwise distributed to the public.

    • The phonogram must have an ISRC code (This excludes music recorded for film and TV)

    • The reimbursement scheme covers both physical and online release.

    • The reimbursement scheme covers music recorded for Film and TV.

  • Both domestic and foreign parties can apply for reimbursement.

    • The reimbursement is 25% of the eligible cost incurred in the European Economic area when more than 80% of the total applied recording cost is incurred in Iceland.

    Therefore, if more than 80% of the applied recording cost is incurred in Iceland, the rest of the recording can be made abroad (in the EEA).

    For example, if your recording costs in Iceland are 600.000 ISK and your recording costs abroad (within the EEA) are 400.000 ISK, you can submit the 600.000 ISK cost incurred in Iceland (80%) and add 150.000 ISK from the cost incurred abroad within the EEA (20%). The total applied recording cost would then be 750.000 ISK.

    • When applying for the rebate for the recording costs of film and TV scores you do not have to submit ISRC codes for your phonograms with your application.

    • The score is considered released when it is delivered to the Film or TV production company. For example the composer in this case would be delivering the work to the production company. The film or TV show in question has to have been fully produced and/or released and made accessible to the general public in order to apply for the refund.

    • The combined playing time of the recorded music released out to the TV or Film company shall not be less than thirty minutes, regardless of how much of the music ends up in finished version of the film or the TV show. It is not necessary for all of the phonograms that accompany the application to be in the final version of the released film or TV show.

      If the recorded film or TV music is part of a project that is already being refunded through the Film in Iceland scheme then it is not applicable for the Record in Iceland refund application.

  • No, a physical copy release is not required.

  • Recording for the promotion of a product or service or recording of an audiobook is not refundable.

    • If the producer has received grants from the Icelandic Government for release of the same phonogram, the grant is subtracted from the eligible cost.

    • The same producer cannot receive a repayment of more than 30,000,000 ISK over a three-year period.

    • In the case of the recording of events (e.g., concerts or exhibitions), only the portion of the cost that is directly related to recording, post-production and licensing of carriers may be calculated.

    • If the applicant has already received grants from the Icelandic Government for the recording or/and release of the phonograms, the grant will be deducted from the eligible cost.

    • The grant and the total amount of reimbursement shall not exceed 85% of the total eligible cost.

    • Wage expenses incurred during the recording for hired performers, producers, engineers or studio personnel. (Article 6 of Act No. 110/2016)

    • Salary of the producer (Article 7 of Act No. 110/2016) : If the applicant is both a producer and a technician / performer, the party may calculate, as part of eligible costs, their own salary equivalent to a single monthly salary for artists, cf. Article 4(1) of the Icelandic Artists’ Salaries Act. (This applies only to those taxed in Iceland or the EEA.)

    • The producer (according to the definition given by Act No. 110/2016) should be the person registered on the application.

    • If there is more than one registered joint producer for the recordings, they shall collectively apply for reimbursement.

  • Refunds can only be applied for for phonograms that have been released no more than six months before the application is received by the Ministry.

    • The general rule is that everyone who performs employment of any kind in Iceland needs both work and residence permits.

    However, exceptions apply to:

    • Artists (interpreted broadly) for 90 days in a calendar year

    • EEA and EFTA resident employees for 3 months (can be extended)

    • Foreign employees of an EEA or EFTA resident employer for 90 days in a calendar year.

    • Double taxation agreements provide a concession from existing tax legislation.

    • Iceland and the relevant Contracting States have committed themselves by mutual agreement to derogate from the general tax rules in order to avoid double taxation

  • Record in Iceland is a promotional effort run by Iceland Music, a public export office for Icelandic music, in collaboration with Promote Iceland, Iceland’s foreign service and Reykjavik Music City. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs.

    STUDIOS AND PRODUCERS

    • World-class recording facilities

    • Experienced in-house producers and engineers

    FILM SCORING

    • Internationally successful Icelandic composers

    • Powerful film soundtracks

    • Experienced professionals at the disposal of filmmakers

    CREATIVE HUB

    • Close-knit community of exceptional musicians

    • One big creative family

    NATURAL INSPIRATION

    • Unique atmosphere

    • Inspirational surroundings