Home education in Iceland:

Flexible, legal — and supervised (2025)

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

In Iceland, home education (heimakennsla) is legal under the Compulsory School Act.

But it requires formal approval from your local municipality. Parents who wish to educate their children at home must demonstrate that they can provide instruction “comparable” to that of public schools. Supervision is carried out by education authorities to ensure quality and progress.

Is schooling from home legal in Iceland?

Yes. Home education is allowed under Article 23 of the Compulsory School Act (Grunnskólalög). Parents must apply to their municipality for permission and show that they have the ability and resources to provide proper education. A certified teacher must oversee or assist in evaluating progress, and children must meet national learning goals.

What are the steps?

1
Apply to your municipality. Submit a written request outlining your teaching plan and reasons for home education.
2
Demonstrate capacity. Show that you can provide suitable instruction or work with a certified teacher.
3
Follow national goals. Education must cover the subjects and competencies required by Iceland’s Compulsory School Curriculum.
4
Participate in oversight. The municipality will monitor progress through visits or reports.
5
Renew approval each year. Families must reapply annually to continue.
In Iceland, families who choose heimakennsla must apply to their municipality for approval and work with a certified teacher to ensure their child’s education meets national standards. It gives families flexibility in how learning happens, but it also means handling the application process, maintaining records, and coordinating with local authorities for regular oversight.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in Iceland are considered to be home educating. Parents hold the duty to provide a suitable education, but with bina you don’t have to do the teaching yourself. We provide the full school experience.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

Do I need permission to homeschool in Iceland?

Yes. You must apply to your municipality for approval.

Do I need teaching qualifications?

Not necessarily, but a certified teacher must oversee or assess your child’s education.

Are there specific subjects I must teach?

Yes. Education must cover the same key areas as public schools.

How often are inspections?

Typically once or twice per year, depending on your municipality.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We handle the teaching, structure, and curriculum. You support your child’s routine and communication with your local school, but you’re not expected to be their teacher.

Can we return to a local or private school later?

Yes. bina’s accredited curriculum ensures smooth reintegration into Italian schools or international programmes at any point.

What about screens?

Learning happens in short, focused blocks with plenty of movement, breaks, and off-screen projects throughout the day.

Can families abroad use Icelandic home education status?

No. Home education approval applies only to residents of Iceland. Families abroad may enrol in accredited online schools instead.

What if we move abroad?

bina travels with you. We’ll help you understand local requirements wherever you go so your child’s learning stays consistent and compliant.