Applicati­ons, requ­ests, and grants

If subject to liability, the IRCA compensates for damages, in accordance with submitted invoices, in cases of minor damage to a vehicle’s tire or hubcap (up to ISK 100,000.) In other cases a damage assessment conducted by a recognised car repair shop must be available for review.

If subject to liability, the IRCA compensates for damages, in accordance with submitted invoices, in cases of minor damage to a vehicle’s tire or hubcap (up to ISK 100,000.) In other cases a damage assessment conducted by a recognised car repair shop must be available for review.

Any authority responsible for roads open to the public can be held liable for damage stemming from an accident, if the damage can be linked to the responsible authority’s negligence, with further proof that the traveller exhibited an acceptable level of caution.

The IRCA responds in as quick a manner as possible when notified of road damage, either by initiating repairs or by putting up warning signs. If the IRCA is deemed to have responded in an adequate and prompt matter, it is exempt from liability. Each case is subject to evaluation, but the IRCA’s employees cannot keep a constant eye on Iceland’s entire highway system, since roads can suffer damage without warning, and the chance of this happening can never fully be prevented. The IRCA reminds all drivers that cautious driving is the most effective way to avoid accidents.

Those without access to electronic identification can fill out the IRCA’s form below describing the incident. Photographs or other information can be included as attachments. Submit all reports to the e-mail address tjon@vegagerdin.is. When an accident report is received, an assessment is undertaken to determine whether or not the IRCA is liable. Each case has an estimated processing period of 2-3 weeks.

Applications for grants from the IRCA Research Fund can be found on “My Pages” on the IRCA website. Applications for grants are open from the beginning of January each year and further information regarding the application period is published on the IRCA website.

Applicants should receive an e-mail confirming the reception and processing of their application.

When an application has been processed — approved or denied — applicants will receive an e-mail, both to the address of the applicant and their project manager. More information on this process is available on “My Pages” on the IRCA website.

Grants for transport links which, according to the Road Act, do not fall under the definition of a road, can be applied for. All transport links that receive funding are to be open to public traffic following their completion.

Applications can be found on “My Pages” — The submission portal opens in January. All applications should be submitted no later than March 21st, 2025.

Each applicant is to submit a comprehensive description of any planned undertaking. This includes information about the location, planned use of the road, estimated construction cost, and any other financing enjoyed by the project.

Each applicant takes on the role of the responsible party to the funded transport link. They are to be responsible for road markings and other aspects that adhere to the Road Act’s provisions pertaining to road maintenance and upkeep.

Please note that any transport links granted funding, consistent with provisions in the Road Act, are to be open to all public traffic.

According to the Road Act, No. 80/2007, funding authorisation for certain transport links can be granted, even if they do not fall under the definition of a road according to the Act.

Funding authorisation applies to the following transport links cf. regulation No. 1155/2011:

• roads across mountains and heaths that are not considered highways;
• roads leading to bridges;
• roads leading to ski areas;
• roads leading to shipwreck shelters;
• roads leading to sheep round-up areas;
• roads leading to cabins for rescue teams;
• roads leading to mountain lodges;
• roads within re-vegetation and forestry areas;
• roads leading to tourist attractions;
• roads leading to airports and landing sites that are not commercial airports, but are included in the transport plan.

The IRCA submits a plan to the Minister of Infrastructure on the processing and distribution of grants. Please note that grants pertaining to applications which have been approved by the Minister are not be processed before construction has been inspected without comment, and, subject to necessity, a construction permit from the municipality in question is available.

If an application is rejected, the decision is non-appealable on the basis of the Administrative Procedures Act.

Applicants apply electronically on “My Pages.” Applicants sign in using electronic identification.

It is important to apply for a permit before the construction of a new road has begun.

Applicants apply through the IRCA by filling out the necessary form (available in Icelandic below) and submitting to the institution.

Supporting documentation

Confirmation of domicile registration from Registers Iceland, with a following confirmation from the municipality of permanent residence

Commercial companies are to provide proof of steady, consistent operations

Documentation is to be attached via e-mail or sent by mail

Conditions:

Roads that lead to farms that include:

• A Permanent residency and legally registered residency
• The Operation of a commercial company
• A Church site
• Public schools
• Other public institutions outside of urban areas that, available in planning, and on the IRCA’s roads list.
• A regional road shall never be closer to the above places than 50m, if it is supposed to end there.
• The addition of a road connecting a summer house area of at least 30 cottages to a highway can also fall under the definition of a regional road.

Applications for regional roads shall be sent to the IRCA. The application form can be found on the website, or at the nearest IRCA service station.

It is important to apply for a permit before construction of a new road is begun. The IRCA can deny participating in the financing of road construction if the applicant has started without permit or consultation with the IRCA, even if other conditions are met.

If an application is denied, the applicant can appeal the decision to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Each individual project is to be thoroughly described, listing its main parameters. A business plan is to be submitted for the project wherein estimated revenue and other benefits are specified, as well as detailing operational costs, for the Harbour Fund and the municipality as a whole. Furthermore, a plan for local financing should be included, alongside information that demonstrates that the Harbour Fund has utilised all available options for revenue generation. This is to ensure that state funding is not disrupting competition with other harbours.

Confirmation of older harbour construction projects:

Older projects still included in the in-effect transport plan must be confirmed, as well as any projects which have not been completed, so long as they are still eligible for a grant cf. the text above. Unconfirmed projects will be considered cancelled by the Harbour Fund.

Application for financial contribution towards basic research:

Requests made for wave calculation, model experiments, and other initial research in relation to harbour construction must be detailed so that perceived needs and benefits can be adequately assessed.

Application for financial contribution towards sea defences:

Funds to be used for sea defences — necessary due to flood risk, or land erosion caused by the intrusion of the sea — are available. Inhabited areas, as well as areas containing structures or cultural heritage sites, enjoy priority in regards to the construction of sea defences. Furthermore, Article 5 of Act No. 28/1997, on sea defences, stipulates that the area, as well as the structures contained therein, are to have been processed in accordance with planning law. All suggestions and wishes expressed by municipalities regarding places where structures, or other things of value, are in danger due to tidal floods or land erosion, are subject to evaluation, with subsequent cost assessment of construction carried out. Projects are then ranked in order of priority.

Information on freight transport:

Information on freight transport, as well as information on a harbour’s home fleet, needs to be submitted to the IRCA, irrespective of whether or not an application for construction is submitted.

Applications for state grants should be sent to the IRCA.

Applications should be sent to the e-mail address fgi@vegagerdin.is.)

This application applies to all work and commercial undertakings within the road buffer zone. This includes the filming of movies, the hosting of sporting events, and the laying of pipes.

According to the Road Act, pipes may only be laid over, under, or alongside highways, with the approval of the IRCA.

When referring to a pipe, everything that needs to be installed due to said pipe — the pipe itself, and supplemental infrastructure such as trenches, posts and fastenings — is included within the definition.

These provisions apply to both overhead lines and underground cables, be they electrical, in use for fluid, or any other transportation. The provisions also refer equally to pipes owned by private parties and government entities.

Applications for permits are received by the IRCA through mail.