NEW TO THE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ÚTLENDINGASTOVAN WOULD LIKE TO THANK

Design: EGAARD v/ Tróndur Ellingsgaard • The Faroese Occupational Safety • The Child Protection Service • The University of the Faroe Print: Føroyaprent & Health Administration • The Women’s Shelter Islands, Faroese Research Council Illustrations: Janus D. Guttesen • TAKS • The Gender Equality Board and EURAXESS Faroe Islands Edition: 2017 • Landsverk • The Police Department in Tórshavn Website: www.immigration.fo • Gjaldstovan • The Faroese Vehicle Administration For information on employment and the • The Unemployment Fund • The National Hospital labour market we would like to thank Proofreading: Sprotin • The Ministry of Social Affairs • Visit Tórshavn Samtak, The Faroese General Worker’s ISBN: 978-99918-877-4-6 • The Department of Social Services • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Union, The Faroese Fishermen’s Union, Photos: Johannes Jansson/www.norden.org (p.11), • Gigni Trade The Public Employee Union, The Kommunufelagið (p.17), Magnus Fröderberg/www. • The National Health Insurance • The Danish High Commissioner in Teachers’ Association, The Ministry of norden.org (p.28), Yadid Levy/www.norden.org (p.25), • The Ministry of Education, the Faroes, Ríkisumboðið Finance and The House of Industry. Landsverk.fo (p. 61), Visit Tórshavn (p.49, 54, 73), Research and Culture • The Association of Municipalities, Barnaverndin (p.57), Ólavur Frederiksen (p.75), • The Evening Schools Kommunufelagið Mauritia Kirchner (p.82), Landssjúkrahúsið (p.41), • Nám icons from www.flaticon.com. Welcome to the Faroe Islands

This handbook was prepared in in the alphabetical index. At the end of the cooperation with public institutions and handbook you will find general information agencies for newcomers planning to live on the main public agencies, interpretation here in the Faroe Islands long-term. The and an overview of trade unions and handbook provides key information about associations.

Faroese society, public agencies, rights The handbook is intended to provide you and duties, and other useful information with up-to-date information, but it is your you might need in order to familiarize responsibility to check for the latest yourself with daily life here. information using the contacts and The handbook is divided into seven addresses listed herein. The content in this sections to provide you with the following handbook is only intended as guidance and topics: is not legally binding under any

• Moving to the Faroe Islands circumstances. We cannot be held • Learning Faroese and Culture accountable for any recent changes to the • Work information provided in this handbook. • Health • Children, School, and Education The Faroese Immigration Office, Út- • Transport and Services lendingastovan, is responsible for editing, • Leisure organising, and distributing the written

Each section details the basic information content of the handbook. of the area and if you would like more Should you have any comments or detailed information about any of these suggestions for changes to the handbook, topics, please contact the relevant agency please send an email to or check their website. [email protected]. You can use the list of content to find a given topic or you can look up keywords

3 Table of contents

MOVING TO THE WORK HEALTH FAROE ISLANDS In this section you will find information This section contains information about the This section contains an overview with about your rights and duties as an National Health Insurance, Heilsutrygd, how general information about residence employee in the Faroe Islands. It provides public health services are organised, and permits in the Faroe Islands, registration general information about the labour what steps to take should you fall ill and at the municipality, as well as information market, what your employment contract not be able to work. about bringing your personal belongings to should include, how taxes are paid, and the islands, about housing and municipal other issues related to work. services.

Family Reunification...... 12 General information about the work landscape. .26 National Health Insurance...... 42 Work Permit...... 12 Unions...... 26 Your primary doctor...... 42 i THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES...... 13 Your labour rights...... 27 How to contact your doctor...... 42 Extension...... 14 Being let go from your work...... 31 Medicine and Pharmacies...... 42 Can I bring my family members Rights and Safety at Work ...... 32 i PRIMARY DOCTOR - Making an appointment. . .43 to the Faroe Islands?...... 14 Taxes...... 33 i WHO TO CALL - Primary Doctor, How do I register? ...... 14 Tax Return...... 34 GP Service or Emergency 112?...... 44 Can I bring my personal belongings? . . . . . 14 Work related pension schemes...... 35 Emergency Services – 112 and 1870 . . . . . 44 Housing...... 15 Pensions...... 35 Receiving treatment in a hospital...... 44 Municipal services...... 16 Old-age pensions...... 36 Pregnancy care ...... 45 i OVERVIEW OF THE MUNICIPALITIES...... 17 Disability pension...... 36 Naming your child ...... 45 Finding work ...... 36 Childbirth...... 46 Unemployment Fund...... 37 Dentistry, Mental Health Service Education recognition...... 37 and Physical Therapy...... 46 Starting your own business...... 38 Child Health Care Services LEARNING FAROESE – Counselling and Nurse Home Visits. . . . . 46 What should I do if I am unable AND CULTURE to work due to illness?...... 47 This section contains information about courses offered at the evening schools, what they teach, where and how to join, as well as information about your right to an interpreter in your contact with the Faroese authorities.

Evening Schools...... 20 Content of the courses...... 20 How do you apply?...... 20 i LOCATIONS...... 21 Is it free?...... 22 Other Language Learning Options ...... 22 Interpretation...... 22 CHILDREN, SCHOOL TRANSPORT LEISURE AND EDUCATION AND SERVICES This section contains information on This section contains information about This section includes information about recreational activities, cultural facilities, the school system on the Faroe Islands. regulation on the use of a foreign driver’s voluntary groups and organizations, and In addition, it provides information about license and a foreign-registered car. the rules that apply to hunting, and benefits you are entitled to as a parent, Driving and owning a car in the Faroe whaling. and who to contact for advice or help Islands, and how public transport is regarding difficult family issues organised. Other services, financial and communication services are also described.

Parental Leave Fund...... 50 Transport...... 62 Voluntary groups, organisations, and sports clubs...... 74 Pregnancy allowance...... 50 i ADVISORY CHECKLIST...... 63 Voluntary work and membership ...... 74 Parental leave insurance ...... 51 Vehicle checks, vehicle laws, Popular sports in the Faroe Islands ...... 75 What allowances does my child receive?. . . .51 and annual obligations...... 65 Important dates for motor vehicle owners . . . 66 The Public Library...... 75 i THE EDUCATION SYSTEM ...... 52 Evening Schools...... 75 Pre-school Day Care ...... 53 Violation of rules and regulations...... 66 The Music Schools and Music Life...... 76 Public School in the Faroe Islands, Fólkaskúlin. .53 i TRAFFIC RULES...... 67 Museums and Cultural Institutions...... 76 Parent-teacher cooperation...... 54 Tunnels – No Stop Toll Road...... 69 Events and National Holidays...... 77 Upper Secondary School, Miðnám...... 54 Public Transport - Buses and Ferries. . . . . 69 i NATIONAL HOLIDAYS...... 79 Maritime Education...... 55 Bank services...... 70 i IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES. . . . . 80 Higher Education...... 55 Telephone and Internet...... 70 Hiking...... 81 Education as an Adult...... 55 National Television...... 70 Fishing...... 82 Learning services...... 56 Postal Service ...... 71 Hunting ...... 83 Disability and learning challenges...... 56 Pets...... 71 Counselling services...... 56 Child Protection Service...... 57 i LOCAL OFFICES ...... 58 Other relevant agencies...... 59 Mediation in case of separation and divorce. . .59 Women’s Shelter...... 59

Useful information at the end: • Unions & employers • Interpretation: Recommended .services, rights & legal basis .and good advice • Public agencies profiles • Alphabetical index INTRODUCTION

A General Overview of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a self-governing A residence permit in the Faroe Islands to the core UN Human Rights Treaties, nation within the Kingdom of . is not valid for Denmark and a Danish e.g. the Convention on the Elimination The islands govern independently in a residence permit is not valid for the Faroe of all Forms of Discrimination against wide range of areas, including taxation Islands. Women, the Convention on the Rights and customs, social security, culture, The Faroese political system is a of the Child and the Convention on the education and research. Currently, variation of the Scandinavian type of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Denmark administers monetary, judiciary, parliamentarian democracy, with its police, and defence affairs, family and own democratically elected legislative Parliamentary Democracy inheritance law, as well as immigration assembly, Løgtingið, and an executive and border control in the Faroes. An Political Governing Authority: government, Føroya Landsstýri, headed system Løgtingið (Parliament) important distinction to note is that the by the Prime Minister, løgmaður. The Faroes and Denmark are two different Government: core values of Faroese society are, by Landsstýrið (Ministries) legal territories in terms of immigration and large, inspired by European heritage regulation. Furthermore, the Faroe and values. This is reflected by the fact State Fólkakirkjan (Lutheran-Evangelical) Islands is not part of the European Union, religion that the European Convention of Human despite Denmark’s membership of the EU. Rights is directly incorporated into Travel and immigration regulations differ Faroese Law. The Faroes are also subject between the Faroe Islands and Denmark.

We want to highlight that in the Faroe Islands, by law: • Children and their rights are protected. Everyone • All people have individual freedom, religious freedom is required by law to report any suspected abuse and freedom of expression and association. or violence against children to the Child Protection • Individuals who operate a vehicle on the road must Services. obey all traffic regulations, at all times. • Women and men are equal. Domestic violence is illegal and the victim is protected by law regardless of immigration status.

6 INTRODUCTION

QUICK FACTS YOUR RIGHTS AND FAROESE ON IMMIGRATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Faroese is the mother tongue and official Nordic citizens do not need a permit to The Faroe Islands adheres to the in the Faroes. Faroese is a live or work in the Faroes. EU citizens constitution, international law and Germanic language, which descends from need a permit for work and residence. declarations on human rights, including Old Norse and is closely related to Nordic Non-Nordic and non-EU citizens may or children’s rights. Nobody should live languages such as Icelandic, Norwegian, may not need a visa as tourists but will in fear, as stated in the mentioned Danish, and Swedish. For centuries need a permit for work or residence. conventions. Whether you are a Danish was the primary language If you need more details, any clarifications newcomer or a visitor, if you are victim of for state affairs, but is now a second or have specific questions about a crime or your rights have been violated, language taught in schools. immigration, please visit the Faroe Islands contact the police immediately. Faroese is used at all levels of society. section on the Danish Immigration Office’s If you hold a Faroese personal In addition to this, Danish may be used website or the Faroese Immigration identification number, p-tal, you have in official matters by institutions under Office. the right to access public services like the Danish government, e.g. the High any resident Faroese citizen. Please Commissioner’s Office, Ríkisumboðið, and be aware, however, that access to the court. certain services, such as unemployment

Just about everyone in the Faroes funds, may be limited. Always ask the understands Danish and you will often responsible department or agency before meet fellow residents and professionals applying for the public service in question who speak Danish as a first language. • Individuals who need a visa to come to the Faroe Islands English is gradually becoming more TOURIST can visit within the duration granted in the visa. significant in both the education system • Visa free individuals can visit for up to 90 days. and society. Faroese schools allocate • You apply and submit a work application in your home almost the same teaching time to English WORK PERMIT as to Danish and the use of English in country and wait for a final decision. higher education is growing. • You can apply and submit a family reunification application FAMILY either in your home country or in the Faroe Islands, REUNIFICATION provided that you are staying in the Faroes legally.

7 INTRODUCTION

ELECTIONS

about the requirements or limitations. It is your responsibility to understand the LØGTINGSVAL terms and conditions when you apply for General elections for the Faroese parliament, a permit, whether for work or residence. Løgtingið, which consists of 33 elected members serving for a period of four years by Please be aware that temporary permit popular vote as a single constituency. holders are responsible to renew their permit before the application deadline FÓLKATINGSVAL Additionally, two Faroese representatives are There are three types of elections held in and according to the instruction given in elected for the Danish parliament, Fólkatingið. the Faroe Islands: the letter granting the permit from the immigration authority in Denmark. Not applying for extension of a residence permit KOMMUNUVAL before its expiry date leads to a lapsed Local elections for the councils/municipalities. permit and an illegal stay. This is taken very Elections are normally held every four years seriously by the immigration authorities and can ultimately be a police matter.

Please enquire The Immigration Office or THE RIGHT TO VOTE the police for more information.

Whether your stay is temporary or long- The local municipal elections: The Faroese and Danish parliamentary elections: • All Faroese/Danish nationals aged over 18 • All Faroese and Danish nationals aged over 18 term, please take the time to familiarise registered in the Faroe Islands residing the Faroe Islands. yourself with Faroese laws and • And citizens of other countries who have been regulations, including traffic regulations, residing in the Faroe Islands for three years as they may differ from your home prior to the election (including a right to stand country. You can contact the police to for election in the municipal elections.) learn more about laws and regulations.

8 INTRODUCTION

Domestic Violence must also verify that domestic violence is you can visit the Danish immigration If you have experienced domestic the reason you no longer live with your website, www.newtodenmark.dk or call violence, please contact the Women’s spouse. the Danish Immigration Service, tel. +45 Shelter, Kvinnuhúsið, and/or the police. The Immigration Service will determine 3536 6600. As a victim of domestic violence and a whether extenuating circumstances family reunification permit holder leaving apply in your situation. Such extenuating Special note about Work Permit Holders and Rights a violent husband/partner, meaning circumstances include: whether you Work permit holders’ rights (i.e. sickness moving to another address, this might have children living in the Faroe Islands, benefits, holiday allowance) are regulated affect your residence permit. The Danish or whether returning to your country of by law and contract with the employer. It Immigration Service can choose not to origin would jeopardise your social well- is best practice to talk with the employer revoke or refuse to extend your residence being – for example, if you risk social first about the contract conditions if permit, if you have left your spouse/ ostracism because you left your spouse. there is any doubt or misunderstanding. partner because you are the victim of For how long you have lived in the Faroe However, if the issue is sensitive, please domestic violence, mistreatment or Islands and how well integrated you are contact the trade union representative any other form of abuse. This includes will also be considered. or the legal aid service, Rættarhjálpin, if serious psychological abuse. Normally, victims of domestic violence you are not a member of a Faroese trade In order for the authorities to consider who have lived in the Faroe Islands for union. making an exception in your case you two years or more before leaving their must prove that domestic violence is spouse are granted a waiver. If you have the reason you no longer live with your lived in the Faroe Islands for less than spouse/partner. two years, you will normally only be

Domestic violence can be documented granted a waiver if there are extenuating by presenting a police report (if the circumstances. abuse has been reported to the police), If you wish, the Immigration Service can statements from social workers or help you file a police report against your reports from a hospital emergency room, spouse/partner. general practitioner or crisis centre. You For further information on this matter,

9 MOVING TO THE FAROE ISLANDS

This section contains an overview with general information about residence permits in the Faroe Islands, registration at the municipality, as well as information about bringing your personal belongings to the islands, about housing and municipal services. THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

Family Reunification...... 12

Work Permit...... 12

i THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES...... 13 Extension...... 14

Can I bring my family members to the Faroe Islands?...... 14

How do I register? ...... 14

Can I bring my personal belongings? ...... 14

Housing...... 15

Municipal services...... 16

i OVERVIEW OF THE MUNICIPALITIES...... 17 FAMILY REUNIFICATION WORK PERMIT

Provided that certain requirements Non-Nordic citizens who wish to work in Both you and your employer/sponsor are met, family reunification is usually the Faroe Islands must apply for a work must provide adequate information granted to: permit, which is processed by the Danish including a job offer and signed contract Agency for International Recruitment between the employer and the employee. • Spouses and cohabiting partners and Integration in consultation with the Depending on the category you apply in, • Children under the age of 18 Faroese Immigration Office. your employer/sponsor may also need to A family reunification permit entitles For EU citizens there is a special EU- certify other job conditions. the holder to live and work in the Faroe scheme in place for easier access to The conditions for you to live and work Islands for one year. You must renew work permits that only applies when are based on your employment contract your permit no later than one month unemployment in the Faroe Islands with the employer. If the conditions before your residence permit expires. is below a certain level – below 3.5 change for you or your employer, please Extension is granted if you continue to per cent in general and within the check with the Danish immigration meet the requirements. The requirements construction industry, for ordinary authorities about the next steps you and conditions differ slightly between the skilled-labour in a specific trade, should take. categories under Family Reunification, unemployment must be lower than 6%. so please check what requirements and For more information regarding this Regarding extension of a permit, you conditions apply to you. scheme, please visit the websites www. must submit your application for an extension no later than one month After three years, you can apply for nyidanmark.dk or www.utlendingastovan. before your residence permit expires. a permanent residence permit. A fo. Your employer must also confirm permanent residence permit is not Generally, work permit applicants are the continued job offer, as well as unconditional. If granted, your residence classed as: provide certification from the Faroese duration is permanent until you no longer • Employee unemployment insurance agency meet the conditions stipulated in your • Student confirming that the employer sought to permit. • Au pair hire labour if you have held the work • Intern permit for less than two years. • Researcher If you have held a work permit as an • Athlete employee for seven consecutive years on • Professional/ Semi-professional trainer the same grounds, you might meet the • Religious Worker requirements for a permanent residence It is the applicant and the employer who permit. begin the application process together.

12 THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES IN DENMARK AND THE FAROE ISLANDS

DENMARK FAROE ISLANDS

STYRELSEN FOR INTERNATIONAL REKRUTTERING OG INTEGRATION

DANISH AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DANISH RECRUITMENT AND FAROESE POLICE STATIONS IN IMMIGRATION SERVICE INTEGRATION IMMIGRATION OFFICE THE FAROES

Processes cases in the Faroe Procecces cases in the Faroe Works as an advisory service in Accept applications for residence Islands related to: Islands related to: regards to local Faroese issues for permit, extension of a residence • Visa the Danish immigration authorities. permit, re-entry permit, visa, • Work permits • Family reunification permits including extension of a visa. • Students (all levels) Guides and provides foreign • Permanent residence permits nationals in the Faroe Islands The police in the Faroe Islands • Asylum with general information also issues re-entry permits and Provides information and guidance, Provides information and guidance, regarding permits. The Office also laissez-passes on behalf of the e.g. on a pending case - by phone e.g. on a pending case - by phone coordinates activities promoting Danish Immigration Service. and email. and email. integration and diversity in the Faroes.

l www.newtodenmark.dk l www.newtodenmark.dk l www.immigration.fo l www.politi.fo A +45 3536 6600 A +45 7214 2000 A +298 357979 A +298 351448

REMINDER All letters from the Danish immigration authority Danish. It is important to understand the terms written in period of time you are allowed to be outside of the Faroe serve as legal proof of your residency. They also contain the letter. Islands if you wish to continue to reside in the Faroe important information about the conditions you must fulfil Please remember to renew your permit before it expires or Islands. Please contact the Danish immigration authorities or follow. Please do not throw them away! you may be expulsed from the Faroe Islands. for more information. All letters from the Danish immigration authority are in When you are traveling overseas, please be aware of the

13 CAN I BRING MY PERSONAL HOW AND WHERE BELONGINGS TO EXTENSION DO I REGISTER? THE FAROES?

According to the website of the If you are granted a permit, you must Bringing your personal belongings Danish immigration authorities, www. register at the local municipality where (furniture, household appliances etc.) to newtodenmark.dk, you must submit your you will live – follow the instructions the Faroe Islands is permitted and exempt application for an extension no later than stated in the letter from the immigration from tax and import duty, as long as the one month before your residence permit authority. belongings have been your possession for expires – always make sure to check with at least six months in your home country. the authorities regarding this matter so P-tal – The Faroese Personal Identifica- Please note that there are certain items tion Number you apply on time. such as tobacco and alcohol that you Once you are granted a permit to reside cannot declare as personal belongings. in the Faroe Islands and you have Please check with the TAKS customs registered at your local municipality, you office for specific details on what items will be issued a personal identification are tax-exempt. number known as a p-tal. You will be CAN I BRING MY FAMILY automatically registered in the National Special note about bringing a vehicle: MEMBERS TO THE Register, Landsfólkayvirlitið, which is You are allowed to import one motor FAROE ISLANDS? essential for both tax and social security. vehicle as removal goods exempt from tax and duty. The vehicle must be intended Your spouse or cohabiting partner can Once you have a p-tal, you will be able solely for your own personal use. If the apply for a residence permit as an to open a bank account and subscribe to vehicle changes owner within 1 year after accompanying family member if they wish phone- and internet services. the day of import, it will be subject to tax to live with you in the Faroe Islands. If and duty according to the general import you have children under the age of 18, rules. A vehicle imported as removal they can be included in your spouse’s or goods must be registered with the cohabiting partner’s application. Faroese Vehicle Administration, Akstovan, within the first two weeks after arriving in the Faroe Islands. The registration fee is a combination of a value based tax and a carbon dioxide tax.

14 HOUSING

Finding a home and settling in rent. The deposit is returned when the and its main task is to provide, build and You can choose between buying or tenant moves out in full, provided that run rental properties. As a member of renting a place to live in. The purchase the apartment of house is in the same Bústaðir you can sign up to waiting lists of a house or an apartment is usually condition as when the tenant moved in. for rental apartments. handled by a real estate agent. Property In the Faroe Islands, the Faroese Tenancy For more information you can contact for sale is often advertised in the Act provides that a standard contract Bústaðir at www.bustadir.fo, tel. newspapers or on one of the estates specifying the rent and conditions for the 401000. agents’ websites. tenancy must be drafted and signed by Buying a home When you are looking for a rental the landlord and the tenant. The notice There is no law preventing non-Danish/ property some landlords prefer to period to vacate a rented flat is 3 months Faroese nationals purchasing property in respond to advertisements placed by if the apartment is part of the landlord’s the Faroe Islands. If you wish to buy a potential tenants. Therefore, it may be a home and 5 months if the landlord does home, you must make sure that you have good idea to publish an advertisement not live in the same house. The contract the required funds. Most people start by specifying your particular rental needs must contain written terms detailing rent, talking to their banking adviser, before or on websites and in the yellow pages of deposit, notice period to vacate, utility at the same time as they start looking for newspapers. bills, and any particulars relevant to both a house or apartment. parties. The Faroese Property Rental Holders of family reunification Appeal Board, Leigunevndin, handles The purchase price of a house/ permits must take notice of the complaints about tenancy matters. apartment is determined through people requirement regarding adequate housing. Further information: Faroese Property bidding for a property. Remember that Renting a home Rental Appeal Board: www.leigunevndin. the transaction is binding when the When renting a house or an apartment fo (ENG.). seller accepts your offer. You must you should be prepared to pay a deposit. therefore never make an offer before More information about the Property In some circumstances, the landlord you are certain that you can finance the Rental Appeal Board is available at may also require you to pay rent in purchase. A real estate agent usually www.leigunevndin.fo, tel. 358000. advance. Unlike purchasing a house or handles such processes. Bústaðir is the name of the Faroese an apartment, you will not need an initial Before buying a house, it is advisable to housing association. It currently has 104 capital to rent. A deposit is an amount thoroughly investigate the condition of rental properties around the islands and the tenant pays as security for rent owed the house – preferably with a reputable is working to enlarge its pool of rental or damage to the housing property. The builder or carpenter – and that you check properties. Bústaðir is a public agency amount should not exceed three months’ for any liens/mortgages on the house that

15 MUNICIPAL SERVICES

may not be fully disclosed. Each municipality offers a range of grey bags will be collected. One roll of The agency in charge of mandatory services such as elderly care, school the grey waste bags is handed out to registration of properties is the transport, funeral services, fire each household (four individuals) twice Environment Agency, Umhvørvisstovan, department, water and sanitation. Please a year. In the grey bag you should only www.us.fo check the available services with your put general waste that does not require The main real estate agencies are: Skyn, municipality. recycling or separation. Items such as www.skyn.fo and Inni, www.inni.fo. glass, electronics, or light bulbs must be Waste Disposal and Recycling Services separated. Other waste bags marked for Insurance Waste disposal schemes in the Faroe sorting paper (or a waste-bin for paper) Homeowner’s insurance covers damage Islands differ slightly across the country and hazardous waste, are handed out to your house that cannot be attributed but are regulated by the same legislation. to households that are registered for to wear and tear or inadequate IRF, Interkommunali waste collection – either by IRF or the maintenance. In addition, the insurance Renovatiónsfelagsskapurin, is an agency Municipality of Tórshavn. usually covers any compensation you that is owned jointly by several may be held liable for in case of damage The bag stand must be placed close to municipalities. IRF collects waste and to another person or their belongings the road, maximum 20 meters from the operates other household and commercial (liability insurance). You may add optional road. And it should be easy to collect the waste services in these municipalities – insurance features that are available from waste. e.g. recycling centres. the insurance company. Household-waste, the grey bag, is The Municipality of Tórshavn has its Typically insurance companies offer collected once a week. Other bags own waste collect service and recycling separate insurances packages, one are collected as needed or at certain centre. covering your house as a homeowner, intervals. The paper-recycling bin another for the contents of your home If you have any questions concerning is collected once every 6 weeks in (damage to your belongings in case of waste disposal or need any further Tórshavn. fire, water damage, burglary), as well as information you should call IRF, tel. If your waste is not collected or if car insurance and other forms of cover. 414243, www.irf.fo. If you live in the you have no waste bags, you should Remember that for any insurance policy Municipality of Tórshavn, you can call contact your local municipality or IRF, it is always the terms and conditions that tel. 302010 or visit www.torshavn.fo. tel. 414243, for further details and decide what the insurance covers. For households IRF issues a grey information. Read more about banking and insurance waste bag, which is only to be used for services in the section Transport and household rubbish and only these specific Services. 16 NORÐOYGGJAR VIÐAREIÐIS KOMMUNA OVERVIEW OF FUGLOYAR KOMMUNA KUNOYAR K. THE MUNICIPALITIES SUNDA KOMMUNA EIÐIS K. HVANNASUNDS KOMMUNA FUGLAFJARÐAR KOMMUNA SUNDA KOMMUNA KLAKSVÍKAR KOMMUNA K. EYSTUR K. VÁGAR RUNAVÍKAR KOMMUNA VÁGAR KVÍVÍKAR K. SJÓVAR KOMMUNA

VÁGA KOMMUNA NES K. SØRVÁGS KOMMUNA

TÓRSHAVNAR KOMMUNA

SKOPUNAR SANDS KOMMUNA KOMMUNA SKÁLAVÍKAR KOMMUNA HÚSAVÍKAR K.

SKÚVOYAR KOMMUNA

HVALBIAR KOMMUNA SUÐUROY TVØROYAR KOMMUNA FÁMJINS HOVS KOMMUNA KOMMUNA PORKERIS KOMMUNA VÁGS KOMMUNA SUMBIAR KOMMUNA

17 LEARNING FAROESE AND CULTURE

This section contains information about Faroese lang- uage courses offered at the evening schools, what they teach, where and how to join, as well as information about your right to an interpreter in your contact with the Faroese authorities. 1 THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

Evening Schools...... 20

2 Content of the courses...... 20

How do you apply?...... 20

i LOCATIONS...... 21 3 Is it free?...... 22

Other Language Learning Options ...... 22

Interpretation...... 22 2

3 THE EVENING SCHOOLS CONTENT OF THE COURSES HOW DO YOU APPLY?

As a newcomer, you have the right to The language courses are designed as As a participant, you will always need to Faroese courses offered by evening a beginner’s course with two or three sign up before the announced deadlines schools, kvøldskúli, managed by learning levels (beginner, intermediate, (if you want to be sure to participate). municipalities and financed by the and advanced) dependent on the evening This can be done simply by contacting Ministry of Culture and Education. school. Some schools have separate the evening school administration or the Learning Faroese is an important courses intended for Nordic speaking municipality. first step, not only to obtain important learners and English speaking learners, The evening school in Tórshavn has also information about your rights, obligations, if needed. The level and the design of an online sign-up service (in Faroese) and available services, but also to the classes are usually based on the where you need the Faroese identification making the Faroe Islands feel like home. need and capacity of the students with a number, p-tal. Currently, Faroese language learning hands-on perspective. Usually the start of a course is in is not mandatory by law. However, it is The content of the introductory courses September or October running until April. highly recommended to enrol in Faroese is primarily language and partly culture Lesson times are mostly in the evenings language courses, they can make it easier and society including aspects of the and are often adjusted according to the to settle in your new environment. local community, such as visits to public working-hours of the participants. Some The bigger municipalities offer tuition or agencies and large workplaces. However, schools may not follow this schedule language learning courses in the Faroese each of the evening schools teach so please check in with your residing language. These courses are held at the uniquely and may differ from each other. municipality for accurate details. evening schools. The courses are dependent on a minimum number of participants and courses may therefore be cancelled or be unavailable if not enough participants sign in. You will need to check with the administration of the evening school or the municipality which courses are offered. The following is intended to give you an overview of where tuition is available and other practical information.

20 Klaksvík Level: Beginner/intermediate/advanced When: Evening, varies each year g Nólsoyar Pálsgøta 32, Klaksvík A 215826 l www.kks.fo

Fuglafjørður Level: Beginner & Culture When: Evening - varies each year g Ennisvegur 38, Fuglafjørður 3 A 238010 l www.fuglafjordur.fo

Runavík Level: Depending on students When: Morning, October-April g Rókavegur, Runavík A 237133 l www.kurk.fo

Toftir Level: Depending on students When: Evening, varies each year g Heygsvegur 28, Toftir A 447332 l www.toftaskuli.fo

Sørvágur Level: Depending on students Oyrarbakki When: Depending on students Level: Depending on students g Skúlavegur 13, Sørvágur When: Evening, September-April A 233222 l wwww.sorvagsskuli.fo g Skúlavegur 8, Oyrabakki A 281296 l www.svs.fo

Vestmanna Level: Depending on students Tórshavn When: October-April Level: Offers various levels When: Day & evening, Varies each year g Toftavegur 12, Vestmanna g J.H. Schrøtersgøta 1, Tórshavn A 506670 l www.vestmanna.fo A 302474 l www.kvoldskulin.fo

Giljanes Sandoy Level: Depending on students Level: Depending on students When: Evening - varies each year When: Evening, October-April g Á Giljanesi 2, Sandavágur g Heimasandsvegur 142, Inni í Dali A l 344424 www.sag.fo A 272914 l www.meginskulin.fo

Vágur Tvøroyri Level: Depending on students Level: Depending on students When: Evening, September- April When: Evening, September-April g g Vágsvegur 30, Vágur Kirkjubrekka 3, Tvøroyri A l A 269567 l www.vagur.fo 581821 www.tvoroyrarskuli.fo

21 OTHER LANGUAGE LEARNING IS IT FREE? OPTIONS INTERPRETATION

All foreign nationals who do not have There is no official list of private tutors In criminal cases at the court Faroese as a first language and are for Faroese language learning but it is not interpretation services are provided registered with an identification number, too difficult to ask people about a tutor in free of any charge if it is assessed p-tal, have the right to participate in your community or through social media. that interpretation is needed. This is courses on Faroese language and culture The Faroese University offers bachelor according to the Danish Procedural at an evening school free of charge. level courses in Faroese language for Code. In other cases than criminal cases, It is possible to apply for a special travel foreigners each semester. In addition, the interpretation expenses are part allowance to cover travel costs to attend every second year, the university offers a of the overall court costs. In Faroese the more comprehensive courses that run three-week summer course, International courts when needed, telecommunication in the daytime. For now, these are only Summer Institute, intended but not limited with or without video is also used for offered in Tórshavn. Please contact the to Nordic speakers. The tuition fee is app. interpretation. evening school administration for more 6500 KR. Please contact the university The law on Faroese health insurance information. for more information. stipulates that the National Health Insurance pays the costs of interpretation USEFUL PHRASES when it is needed in connection with ENGLISH FAROESE a primary doctor’s or a specialist’s My name is … Eg eiti… appointment.

How are you? Hvussu gongur? Regarding other medical treatments, e.g.

I come from… Eg komi úr… at a hospital, it is vital that the patient understands what is being said about a I don’t understand Eg skilji ikki treatment and the health situation. In the Do you speak English? Tosar tú enskt? act governing patient’s rights in the Faroe How much is this? Hvussu nógv kostar hetta? Islands, it is stated that the patient has a Where is the toilet? Hvar er vesið? right to get information on his/hers health

Thank you Takk fyri situation and possible treatment, including risks and side-effects. Furthermore, it is Help! Hjálp! stated that information about for instance Call the Police Ringið eftir politinum!

22 intended treatment, should be given in a manner that is appropriate for the receiver. In other contexts, such as during parent- teacher meetings in schools, or meetings with the municipal social services or similar, an interpreter might also be needed. It is always advisable to check first with the agency regarding its policy on interpreting expenses.

Therefore, in matters relating to health services and the judicial system, you may be provided with an interpreter and/or translated documents. In other contexts the user might have to pay the expenses or find a solution together with the agency concerned. Individual public authorities assess independently whether to use an interpreter in the situation at hand. And it is the agency concerned that decides whether it pays for the interpretation service or not.

Available interpretation services are listed at the back of this handbook.

23 WORK

In this section you will find information about your rights and duties as an employee in the Faroe Islands. It provides general information about the labour mar- ket, what your employment contract should include, how taxes are paid, and other issues related to work.

24 THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

General information about the work landscape. .26 Pensions...... 35

Unions...... 26 Old-age pensions...... 36

Your labour rights...... 27 Disability pension...... 36

Being let go from your work...... 31 Finding work ...... 36

Rights and Safety at Work ...... 32 Unemployment Fund...... 37

Taxes...... 33 Education recognition...... 37

Tax Return...... 34 Starting your own business...... 38

Work related pension schemes...... 35

25 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORK LANDSCAPE UNIONS

In the Faroe Islands almost every adult is legislation governing minimum wages for Trade unions represent workers, provide in work. Most are employed in the public the fishermen (minstaløn), the duration of legal advice, and help workers if problems service sector (health and social work) the working week, holiday entitlements, arise. You need to be a member to access or in private businesses that are related parental leave, unemployment benefits these services and benefits. In order to to the , that is by far the etc. These collective bargaining be a member you must pay an annual fee. most important source of income for the agreements between unions and the The unions’ main task is to uphold and national economy – usually employers’ federations apply to the advance workers’ rights and benefits. account for over 95 per cent of Faroese whole Faroese labour market, but, at the Unions have representatives at larger exports. Many Faroese are also self- same time, any employee can negotiate workplaces. It is always possible to reach employed, with their own shop, restaurant additional individual benefits with their one of these representatives or contact or other small businesses, such as employer. the union´s office. smaller fishing vessels. Unions are organised according to the A considerable proportion of the Faroese type of work or the vocational/educational workforce has been employed abroad. In background of the employees. The 2014 their wages accounted for about 7% workforce both at sea and on land is of GNP, a record in a European context. organised in different unions, for instance This group has typically been employed fishermen, engineers, captains, office and retail workers, nurses, etc. Because as skilled workforce, e.g. carpenters of this diversity of union representation, or electricians in Norway, as sailors in some of the terms and schemes the Danish merchant fleet or on foreign mentioned in the following sections may fishing vessels. differ from one employee to another, e.g. The workforce is organised in unions and on a fishing vessels. employers are organised in federations. Membership in a specific union might These parties negotiate agreements that give you access to relevant benefits, such set out the conditions for employment as insurance schemes tailored to the and wages – on behalf of workers work environment, e.g. a or and employers. Additionally, national craftsman.

26 YOUR LABOUR RIGHTS

There is freedom of association in the Employment Pay regulation Faroe Islands so nobody is forced to join By law anyone who is working at least 8 As a main rule wages are not regulated any union. hours a week for more than one month is by law in the Faroe Islands and there entitled to a written employment contract. is, for instance, no general minimum The employment contract must, as a wage. Therefore, it is very important to minimum, contain the following: who has have a clear and unambiguous written entered into the contract, the date on employment contract stipulating your which the employment commences, wages. Note! information on seniority, job title, Depending on the labour market sector Go to page 84 for a the expected duration of the in which you are employed, wages may employment if it is temporary, the general list of Unions and be defined in collective agreements workplace, a description of the Associations. or contracts between the employers’ work or position, term of notice federation and your union. for dismissal and resignation, terms and conditions of wages, length and Not everyone receives wages at the same specification of working hours, breaks time. Some wages are paid at the end of and any collective agreements regulating the month, while hourly wages are paid the employment relationship and either on a weekly basis or every second possibly other agreements concerning week. If a worker does not receive their employment, if applicable. (Please note wages on time the employer should be that fishermen follow another scheme notified. If this does not help, the union as each fisherman signs on with a is available for assistance with free legal ship according to agreements of the advice if necessary. fishermen’s union.)

The employer is by law obliged to present an employment contract to the employee no later than one month after the start of the employment relationship.

27 YOUR LABOUR RIGHTS CONTINUED

Each time you are paid you receive a pay Working hours Holiday, holiday entitlement, holiday pay slip – either on paper or in electronic As a general rule, the number of weekly In general, the annual holiday entitlement format. The pay slip shows how much hours is defined in collective agreements is five weeks, in addition to public you have been paid, maybe the number of between the parties on the labour market. holidays. Every worker accumulates a hours worked, and other details regarding Normal working hours are around 40 right to a certain amount of holidays, with overtime, holiday allowance, pension hours per week in the private and public or without pay/allowance. For hourly contributions etc. It is therefore advisable sector. Work in excess of normal working paid workers the allowance is 12% of to keep your pay slips. Using your online hours is compensated with an overtime their wages. Monthly paid salary earners banking service, you can see how much supplement – normal working hours are are entitled to paid holiday and a holiday is deducted in taxes and obligatory defined as starting at 7.00 AM and may contribution at 1.5 % of wages earned in contribution to the Unemployment Fund, not continue after 18.00 PM on weekdays. the previous year. the Parental Fund, Health Insurance, Conditions concerning lunch breaks Employees not only have the right to pension etc. and other breaks are usually defined in holidays but also the duty to make use agreements between the union and the of them. The annual holiday allowance is employers. paid out once a year by the 2nd of May.

You should let your employer know in advance when you want to take your holidays. This can usually be made in agreement with the employer. The employer has the final decision.

The legislation regulating holidays on the labour market does not apply to fishermen or sailors. Another scheme is applying here.

28 Illness – right to sickness benefit or right Child’s sick day to pay when sick (short term) The right to stay home to care for a If you get sick and are not able to work sick child while receiving pay from your you have a right to have your income employer is not stipulated in any law. It is compensated (see below). The terms for determined by the contract that applies to accessing compensation differ across the your employment. sectors of the labour market. Hourly-paid workers will only have the right to stay at home and care for their sick child with pay if their employment contract stipulates that they have that If you do not have the right to receive If you have the right to receive pay pay from your employer while you are from your employer while absent right. If your child is sick then you sick then you can apply for a sickness from work due to illness, you are not can apply for sickness benefit from benefit from the Department of Social obliged to prove that you are not able to the Department of Social Services, Services, Almannaverkið. Such is also work, as a main rule. However, you are Almannaverkið. the case when your children are sick on obliged to notify the employer as soon their first and second day of illness. The as possible that you are not able to For monthly paid workers (minimum 20 benefit is 80 % of a worker’s wage and work. An employer can demand to see hours a month), the days of absence a doctor’s certificate, though usually not is calculated according to your average allowed in case of a child’s illness is de- income over the last 5 weeks before before a week’s period of illness. termined by the employment contract. calling in sick. Certain conditions apply. The Social Services must receive the It is stipulated by law that all workers application within 60 days of the first collect holiday entitlements during this day of absence. legitimate absence.

29 Sick Leave Further information: Leave Employees, who are sick for a longer Almannaverkið, www.av.fo, An employee is entitled to take leave in time than allowed by the collective tel. 360000 connection with pregnancy, birth and agreement between their employer and parental leave. union, may need to get in touch with their All wage-earners who are registered primary doctor in order to get a medical and pay tax in the Faroe Islands have the certificate. If the doctor regards sick right to paid leave when having a child. leave as necessary, the doctor will issue Parents are entitled to 52-weeks´ leave a medical certificate for the required after childbirth. For more information period. regarding parental leave and benefits, Loss of income due to illness and injury see the section Children, School and may entitle you to sickness benefit. This Education. is stipulated in the law regarding sickness If you should need leave to take care of a benefit, dagpening vegna sjúku v.m.. There close relative, e.g. during the final stages are conditions to be met and the benefit of their life, there is no law or collective is a temporary one. The maximum period agreement in place for this situation. of receiving the benefit is 40 weeks. If You should contact your employer to offered, you have a duty to accept any decide what options are available in this medical treatment helping you regain situation. In other cases, a worker may the ability to work, in order to keep your have a right to benefits from the Social entitlement to sickness benefit. Services if the primary doctor finds it Fishermen are guaranteed a sickness appropriate. benefit if certain conditions are met. If the Other circumstances for leave could be fisherman becomes sick when at home, when an employee is elected to serve in it is possible to apply for sickness benefit public office. from the Department of Social Services, Further information: Parental Leave Almannaverkið. Fund, www.barsil.fo, tel. 352600

30 BEING LET GO FROM YOUR WORK

Dismissal – period of notice The notice of termination of employment Immediate Dismissal Different terms and conditions apply must be presented in writing, whether by The difference between immediate to dismissals. The period of notice the employer or the employee. Employees dismissal and dismissal is that when correlates to the seniority of the employed who have been employed for 9 months employees are dismissed immediately, person. For an hourly employed worker (e.g. employed under the agreement for they loose the right to pay from the who has been employed for 6 months the Faroese General Workers` Union, moment they are dismissed, whereas the period of notice is at least 7 working Føroya Arbeiðarafelag) can request that people who have been dismissed receive days. While for a worker receiving the grounds for dismissal be given in their salary during the period of notice regular monthly wages (employed writing, if they so wish. (and must work during this period). under the terms of the agreement of the Circumstances leading to dismissal can When a person is immediately dismissed Faroese General Workers` Union, Føroya arise at any workplace. An example his/her employment ceases forthwith. Arbeiðarafelag) who has worked for more of circumstances relating to the Immediate dismissal is only applicable in than 6 months and less than 2 years the employee could be serious breach of cases in which employers consider that period of notice for dismissal is 2 months. the employment contract. Examples of a salary earner has been grossly and (When work comes to a halt because circumstances relating to the employer/ significantly negligent of his employment. of bad weather or lack of raw materials enterprise could be a necessary Whether or not a situation warrants the periods of notice do not apply and reduction in the size of the workforce or immediate dismissal will always be a workers are not entitled to receive pay reorganisation. matter of judging the concrete situation. from their employer. Instead, a scheme An employee cannot be dismissed Examples are: Refusing to carry out applying for workers in the fish- because she is pregnant. If the employer a task ordered; absence from work processing sector is available through the cannot prove that the dismissal is (without legitimate reason); being late for Unemployment Fund, ALS.) unrelated to the pregnancy, the dismissal work (after having received a warning For salaried employees (e.g. in the Office is unlawful. This is stipulated in the stipulating that if this happens again the and Retail Workers` Union, S&K) who pregnancy law. The same applies in her/she will be dismissed immediately); have been in work between 6 months and relation to adoption. alcohol abuse; theft; or disloyalty. 3 years (excluding temporary or probation period employment) the period of notice is 3 months. 31 RIGHTS AND SAFETY AT WORK – THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The law concerning the work environment cooperation regarding safety and health of 15 are required to have a consistent states that you have a right to a safe and is performed according to the relevant period of rest of no less than 14 hours a healthy work setting. The employer is regulation (Working Environment day. responsible for ensuring that the working Act); that safety representatives are All employees are automatically insured environment is as safe as possible. The informed about newsletters from for work-related injuries by their employee is obligated to actively assist the Faroese Occupational Safety & employer. If you are injured in a work- the employer in this task. Health Administration, and that the related accident, it is important that your employer performs safety procedures or In short, the employer has the obligation employer reports the incident to the investigations if the authorities demand to ensure the following, according to relevant authority. It is also important this. the Working Environment Act: that that the accident is reported to Føroya work activities are carried out in the The employee has the obligation to Vanlukkutryggingarráð, a public authority safest possible way; that employees comply with the safety instruction and that assesses insurance claims regarding are instructed about potential work- regulations provided by the employer and work-related accidents and work-related related risks and trained accordingly; stipulated in law. illnesses and disabilities. These illnesses that there is an active workplace As a general rule, children under the age or disabilities could be related to an cooperation regarding safety and that of 15 may not be employed. Children who unhealthy work environment, such as the safety representatives are properly are 13 years old may undertake certain hearing impairment, back-injuries etc. instructed, informed and have attended types of light employment. Children under In cases of accidents at work or possible the mandatory courses. The employer the age of 13 may receive payment for work-related illnesses or disabilities is obligated to follow instructions and participation in cultural performances of you can contact your union for further decisions from the relevant authority. various types, with the consent of their information. The employer´s responsibilities are parents or guardian. For more information: www.arb.fo to ensure the following: that work tel. 556400. Youths under the age of 17 may not work activities are carried out in a sensible for more than 10 hours a day. Youths way; that employees are instructed under the age of 17 are required to have about potential risks in their work a consistent period of rest of no less than and trained accordingly; that the 12 hours a day. Youths under the age

32 TAXES

All individuals who are living in the Faroe much you will be required to pay in tax Health Insurance, and there is also a Islands must pay tax on all income. altogether is dependent on your income media-license fee that is deducted from

The taxes we pay are for the most part and which municipality you live in. your income. government tax, and to a smaller degree municipal tax, pension-tax and many Regarding limited tax liability Deductions islanders also pay a church tax. Taxes If you are living in the Faroe Islands for a All taxpayers may be entitled to a can, for example, be collected on income, limited time only and without registering personal deduction in taxable income interest, gifts and inheritance, as well. a permanent address, then you are liable before paying government tax and Additionally, there are fees that are paid to limited tax payment only. This means municipal tax. that the tax you pay is a fixed amount by the public at large. An example is the Taxpayers with dependant children and it is not contingent on your income value added tax that is paid on almost (only one of the parents) are entitled to or in which municipality you live in. If all transactions relating to services and deductions in government and municipal you are staying in the Faroes for a period goods. Customs are paid on all goods and taxes for each child under the age of 18. services that are imported. longer than 180 days within a timespan of 12 months, then you must pay tax on There are a lot of services that are paid Private pension contributions to Faroese all income derived in the Faroe Islands for by the public sector in the Faroe pension plans can be deducted from and abroad, including from the first day of Islands. And the taxes and fees that we taxable income. entry to the Faroe Islands. pay are spent on these public services, including healthcare, hospitals, education, Subsidies Social security duties and transport and communication Residents in the Faroes can apply to In addition to taxes most individuals infrastructure. The tax system is also receive interest subsidy for private pay mandatory contributions to various designed to contribute to greater equality mortgages and education loans. No social funds. These are deducted from between individuals. subsidy is granted for private consumer your income in the same way as tax. loans. Interest subsidy is only offered for Contributions deducted go to the Faroese mortgages on houses in the Faroe Islands Obligation to pay taxes Labour Market Supplemental Pension When you move to the Faroes you are in which the owner lives. Fund (Samhaldsfasti), the Parental Fund, required to pay tax on all income. How Other subsidies include transport subsidy, the Unemployment fund, to the National

33 TAX RETURN

double household subsidy, child support Everyone who works in the Faroe Islands Self-employed persons are obliged to and alimony. receives a tax return in the spring, March keep accounts and must submit a tax or April, following the income year. Either return along with their accounts. For more information regarding conditi you will receive a tax form to complete or, ons and how to apply for subsidies visit Rental income from real estate property if TAKS already has the relevant income- www.taks.fo or call TAKS tel. 352600. in the Faroe Islands or abroad has to be details, you will receive a completed tax registered as B-income. sheet. There are two kinds of income - wage income (A-income) and business income (B-income). Taxes are automatically withheld from A-income. Tax that is not deducted from income received by a worker or business-owner (or similar) is categorised as B-income. TAKS estimates what the tax will be on a B-income. BORGARAGLUGGIN Taxpayers who only have A-income Online self service: TAKS` online-ser- vice enables users to do their tax-re- receive a pre-completed tax return each turn online and provides an overview year from the tax administration with of a range of information such as wa- information received from their employer, ges, how much tax is deducted, pensi- amongst others. If the pre-completed on, holiday allowance, and more. information is incorrect, the taxpayer has to file a tax return. Taxes deducted To access Borgaragluggin.fo you will from your income may have been over first need a digital key, called mínlykil, or underestimated. Therefore, you might a safe login feature. Go to www. receive a bill from the tax authority or minlykil.fo to download the digital key you might receive a deposit in your bank and follow the instructions. account.

34 WORK RELATED PENSION SCHEMES PENSIONS

1. Obligatory pension-scheme 2. Faroese Labour Market Supplemental The general requirements for having Individuals are, by law, required to save Pension Fund pension rights in the Faroe Islands is Individuals who live in the Faroe Islands a portion of their salary in a pension- either Danish citizenship or marriage to for at least 3 years between the age of scheme, from the age of 21 up to Faroese a person with Danish citizenship, living in 15 and Faroese state pension age can state pension age of 67. Beginning from the Faroe Islands or having worked on a receive a proportion of the Faroese 2014 with at least 1% and increasing by ship registered in the Faroe Islands, and labour market supplemental pension 1% for each year, all individuals will be having lived in the Danish Kingdom for at (Samhaldsfasti) equivalent to the number saving 15% of their salary by 2029 in the least 3 years between the ages of 15 and of years they have lived in the country. obligatory pension-scheme. 67. The total number of years required to In the collective agreements applying By agreement with the Nordic countries, receive full benefits from this pension to the labour market, it is stated that the required Danish citizenship expands scheme is 40. the employer contributes an amount to to include Scandinavian citizenships, and This pension scheme is financed partly by employees’ pension. If no pension saving furthermore is the right to receive earned the employer and partly by the employee, requirement is part of the agreement pension rights in EEA-countries based on currently at the rate of 2.25% of the between your employer and union, then this agreement. you will be required to save at least as salary paid by each party. much as is stipulated by law. It is possible to export the right to

Employees are responsible for joining benefits from this pension scheme to a pension scheme with either pension wherever you decide to live after reaching savings institutions or financial Faroese state pension age. institutions in the Faroe Islands. For more information, see www.taks.

Pension savings are pre-taxed at fo or call the tax and revenue office 40% and the remainder will be saved (TAKS) on tel. 352600 according to the regulations.

35 OLD-AGE PENSIONS DISABILITY PENSION FINDING WORK

Having the proper requirements for Anyone meeting requirements for pension Finding work is always dependent on pension rights, everyone can receive a rights can apply for a disability pension your own initiative, whether you are out retirement pension on reaching the age between the ages of 18 and 67. of work or you would like to find a new of 67. Disability pension is divided into 3 job opportunity. When you are out of work

Pension rights are divided by the number categories: full loss of ability to support you will need to consider your options. of years of residence in the Danish oneself by work, 2/3 loss, or halved ability A good place to start may be at the Kingdom. Acquiring full pension rights to support oneself by work. The ability Unemployment Fund, ALS. It administers requires living in the Danish Kingdom for to work is tested through a series of the website www.starv.fo that provides at least 40 years. activities, including medical examinations, updated information on vacancies and it with the intention of re-establishing the is possible to register with a profile and For more information regarding old-age ability to work, before providing disability CV on this site. pensions and benefits that might be pension. available to the elderly, see www.av.fo Pension rights are divided by 4/5th of the or call Almannaverkið on tel. 360000. REMINDER years of residence in the Danish Kingdom As a holder of a time-limited work between the age of 15 and the time when disability pension is granted. permit or similar you are obliged to notify the Danish Agency for For more information: www.av.fo or call International Recruitment and Almannaverkið on tel. 360000. Integration if the conditions for your work permit have changed, e.g. if you lose your job or your employer´s business closes. If you have found a new job or plan to start up a new company you must apply for a new work permit before beginning work or Thebefore Faroese your unemployment company begins scheme operation. is known under the Faroese abbreviation ALS,

36 UNEMPLOYMENT FUND EDUCATION RECOGNITION

The Faroese unemployment scheme is 75% of the normal salary up to a maximum If you have qualifications from abroad known under the Faroese abbreviation ALS, of DKK 17,500 per month. and you want to make use of them you Arbeiðsloysisskipanin. You will need to meet certain conditions may need official recognition of your Employers and employees in the Faroe in order to be entitled to unemployment qualifications. Islands fund the unemployment scheme. benefits. A main rule, for instance, is that As countries have different education ALS gives benefits to those who are you must live or reside in the islands. Other and qualification systems, employers or entitled to them and can provide guidance conditions are that the unemployed person higher education institutions abroad do to anyone seeking to return to the labour must be available for any kind of work and not necessarily approve your qualification. market. is obliged to register with a profile and CV Recognition of foreign diplomas, degrees Please note that non-Nordic citizens with on the website www.starv.fo. If he or she and other qualifications in the Faroe a temporary work permit (e.g. a contract refuses to accept a job offered by ALS, Islands will in most cases be similar worker for 1 year) are not entitled to the right to unemployment benefits will be to the recognition of qualifications in unemployment benefits from the Faroese suspended for 4 weeks. Denmark. Information on recognition of Unemployment Fund. Foreign employees who are dismissed qualifications in Denmark is available An unemployment fund contribution is from their job and do not have the right from the Ministry of Higher Education and automatically withheld by the tax system to benefits from ALS, may be entitled Science and the ENIC/NARIC Networks from all wages paid to registered residents to temporary public assistance from the (www.enic-naric.net/denmark). in the Faroe Islands. Foreign citizens with Department of Social Services (Note: For some positions a Faroese or Danish a temporary work permit (1 year) can apply be aware of possible conditions regarding authorisation is needed. For example, for exemption from paying this fee, which is your residence permit that require you to be foreign-trained doctors and other health 1.25% of A-income. able to support yourself without such public personnel must be authorised by the assistance). Employees who are dismissed and have the Danish National Board of Health. right to unemployment benefits must inform Further information: If you earned your diploma or higher ALS immediately that they are unemployed. Arbeiðsloysisskipanin, www.als.fo, education from an institution recognised Unemployment benefits are based on the tel. 349550. by the Danish ministry of education, wages received over the last 12 months then continuing your education in the prior to becoming unemployed. Benefits are Faroe Islands is relatively easy when

37 STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

you apply in your area of study. If your For further information: If you would like to start your own higher education is not recognised by business you have to prepare well. There Ministry of Higher Education and the ministry, then there will be a list are a number of laws and conditions Science, in Denmark, www.ufm.dk, tel. of courses you will be referred to take that you need to be aware of. These +45 3392 9700. in order to fulfil the requirement for regulations are in place to protect International Office, University of the recognition. civilians and workers against poor Faroe Islands, www.setur.fo/ask, tel. If your secondary school diploma is not hygiene and work accidents, as well as to 292513. recognised, you will need to complete prevent tax evasion. any additional courses required for While there are business funding options recognition. If you do not have a you can apply for, provided that a range secondary school diploma, you will need of conditions are met, it is important also to complete secondary school grade 9 to to remember that you will not pay into the receive a Faroese lower secondary school welfare schemes as regular employees diploma, fólkaskúlaprógv, which fulfils the are obliged to do. Instead, you can choose requirements to apply for preparatory to pay for welfare insurances at the education before university. relevant public agencies. These include

For the grade 9 diploma, there are no sick-day insurance, unemployment English-speaking classes on a wide range insurance with the Unemployment Fund, of subjects offered in the Faroe Islands. ALS, and it is also possible to take out a Furthermore, you might also need to parental allowance insurance with the learn Danish as many higher education Parental Fund. For the last two of these courses use Danish textbooks. Therefore, mentioned here, it is a condition that the it is highly recommended that you have insurance has been active for at least one a good basic understanding of Faroese whole year. reading and grammar before starting In the Faroe Islands common examples grade 9. of self-employment are restaurant and shop-owners, traders and salesmen,

38 owners of fishing-vessels operating diversify commercial enterprise and in waters around the islands and increase the use of knowledge. The fund carpenters. provides grants for e.g. development of

There are places to seek advice on goods and services, innovative projects matters relating to entrepreneurship and research and study projects. and starting businesses. In Klaksvík and Tórshavn there are consulting services available.

For further information contact Íverksetarahúsið in Klaksvík (www. is.fo), or Hugskotið (www.hugskotid.fo), in Tórshavn.

You can start business activities without a business registration number from TAKS, v-tal, or you can contact TAKS and apply for a registration number – for further details and your obligations as a business-owner please contact TAKS. You can also establish a public limited company or limited liability company, as there might be certain tax- related benefits. Then you must contact the Company Registration Authority, Skráseting Føroya, for more information – www.skraseting.fo (ENG.). The Business Development Fund, Vinnuframi, supports initiatives, which

39 HEALTH

This section contains information about the National Health In- surance, Heilsutrygd, how public health services are organised, and what steps to take should you fall ill and not be able to work. THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

National Health Insurance...... 42

Your primary doctor...... 42

How to contact your doctor...... 42

Medicine and Pharmacies...... 42

i PRIMARY DOCTOR - Making an appointment...... 43

i WHO TO CALL - Primary Doctor, GP Service or Emergency 112? ...... 44 Emergency Services – 112 and 1870 ...... 44

Receiving treatment in a hospital...... 44

Pregnancy care ...... 45

Naming your child ...... 45

Childbirth...... 46

Dentistry, Mental Health Service and Physical Therapy ...... 46

Child Health Care Services – Counselling and Nurse Home Visits ...... 46

What should I do if I am unable to work due to illness? ...... 47 NATIONAL HEALTH HOW TO CONTACT INSURANCE YOUR PRIMARY DOCTOR YOUR DOCTOR

All individuals residing in the Faroe The National Health Insurance is the Within normal working hours you can call Islands who have a Faroese ID number, agency with the overall responsibility for the doctor’s office and book a p-tal, are automatically covered by the primary doctors. When you are registered time/session for you to see the doctor National Health Insurance, Heilsutrygd. in the national registry and get your ID – or your doctor’s office may have an

The National Health Insurance covers number, the National Health Insurance online-booking service (you will always general and specialist medical treatment will send you a letter regarding your receive a confirmation on your phone, and subsidises either in full or partially primary doctor (general practitioner). if you have used the online-booking medicine, dental treatment and other The tasks of a primary doctor, service). specialist treatments, i.e. physiotherapy, kommunulækni, are providing general psychotherapy and podiatry. medical services, such as vaccination Health care services are financed by and regular health check-ups of children. MEDICINE AND PHARMACIES the government and by mandatory Your primary doctor can refer you to contributions from all residents, through Your primary doctor might give you a another specialist if this is needed, e.g. an the National Health Insurance. prescription for medication that you need. optometrist. Then you will need to go to the pharmacy Apart from the contribution to the Check your local municipality for to pick up the medication. The doctor will National Health Insurance, health care addresses, opening hours, phone numbers is generally free in the Faroe Islands. inform you when the medication is ready and when the lines are open for booking However, exceptions apply to medicines, for you at the pharmacy. appointments. dental treatment and some other Medicine is sold at pharmacies. Some specialist treatments. are freely available to buy and others are All residents from the age of 18 pay a prescription drugs so you will need a monthly contribution to the National doctor`s prescription. Some medication Health Service. The contribution is is cheaper because of benefits from the regulated by law and consists of a National Health Insurance. fixed amount and a certain percentage of taxable income. It is deducted automatically from income by TAKS (A-income or normal wages) and can be adjusted.

42 PRIMARY DOCTOR - MAKING AN APPOINTMENT

ARE YOU ILL AND 2 CALL YOUR PRIMARY DOCTOR 3 THE DOCT0R WILL 1 NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR? AND BOOK AN APPOINTMENT EXAMINE YOU

The tasks of a primary doctor are general medical Be on time for your appointment, preferably five The primary doctor has an important and central help and vaccination and regular health check-ups minutes early (you can also book online). role in the health care system. of children

4 PRESCRIPTION 5 MEDICINE

If you require medicine for your condition, the doctor After talking to your doctor you can go to the will issue you a prescription. pharmacy with the prescription

43 WHO TO CALL? PRIMARY DOCTOR, GP SER- EMERGENCY SERVICES - RECEIVING TREATMENT VICE OR EMERGANCY 112? 112 AND 1870 IN A HOSPITAL

112 is the emergency telephone number Patients may be referred to a hospital by in the Faroe Islands. It must be used for the primary doctor. emergency calls only, when people are There are three hospitals in the Faroe seriously injured or ill and need immediate Islands – in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and treatment. Suðuroy. 1870 is the telephone number for the The National Hospital in Tórshavn is the See your primary Primary doctor: after-hours GP Service, Læknavaktin. If doctor about general health issues. main hospital. Most illnesses and injuries you are in need of talking to a doctor can be managed at the National Hospital, outside normal working hours and you but in some cases it may be necessary to cannot wait until the doctor’s office receive treatment abroad. opens, then you must call the after-hours GP Service. This national service is open after normal working hours, from 16.00 until 08.00 and at all other times GP Service tel 1870: This service, when the doctor`s offices are closed, on known as Læknavaktin, accepts patients who are in immediate need of medical weekends and holidays. This service is care, this can be owing to illnesses or able to assess your situation, advice you injuries that cannot wait until the next day. (This service is open outside normal wor- directly or send a doctor to your home, or king hours, weekends and holidays). they may ask you to go in for a check-up at a hospital. Læknavaktin can call on doctors in other parts of the country who are on stand by and can drive out to a patient, if there is a need for that.

EMERGENCY CALL TEL 112: In case of life-threatening and acute situations.

44 PREGNANCY CARE

Health services during pregnancy and sickness, to strengthen and develop childbirth are free of charge for any parental competency, and to uncover NAMING woman who is living in the Faroes and challenges to a child`s wellbeing and YOUR CHILD has received the Faroese ID no., in development as early and quickly as After your child is born, you have six Faroese known as p-tal. possible. months to choose a name. You are obliged to register the name officially Women who have not received the ID no. The health visitor nurse is trained in the before the six month deadline. are not entitled to free hospital treatment, field of child and family health. The nurse The state church office located in the even if they are married and move to an is able to provide useful advice if you are municipality you live administers the address in the Faroe Islands. They will be in doubt about anything, and she will help name registration. charged as foreigners in accordance with to ensure that your child has a safe and If you are a non-Faroese citizen a specific pricing system. healthy start in life. and you choose a name according Pregnancy check-ups are carried out by to the rules and customs of your primary doctor and midwives around the home country, which is not on the approved list of names, you will need country. Ultrasound scans are available, to provide documentation with an usually scheduled in the 18th week of application form to the Environment pregnancy. Agency, Umhvørvisstovan. For more The Child Health Care Service, Gigni, can information, please contact the provide home-visits during pregnancy if Environment Agency tel. 34200, wanted, or if the family has special needs. www.us.fo. The aim is to provide guidance to future For more general information you parents to ensure that your child has a can visit the website of the Language healthy start in life. The home visits are Board, Málráðið, where there is an official list of names, for males and provided by health visitor nurses, who females: www.malrad.fo. work at Gigni. Gigni provides regular home visits to new families in the Faroe Islands. The main goal is to promote health, to prevent

45 DENTISTRY, MENTAL HEALTH CHILD HEALTH CARE SER- SERVICE AND PHYSICAL THE- VICES – COUNSELING AND CHILDBIRTH RAPY NURSE HOME VISITS

Childbirth takes place at the hospital, in Dental care for adults is carried out by Health services for children up to the end most of the cases it is at the National dentists in private practice. The National of school age (16-17) are free of charge. Hospital, Landssjúkrahúsið. Mother and Health Insurance covers part of the cost The aim of this service is first and child normally stay between 2 and 5 days of dental care. foremost to promote health and prevent ill in hospital after childbirth. Children up to the age of 18 are entitled health. Gigni provides health care service Health visiting nurses regularly examine to free public dental treatment. Children’s to families with small children, school- babies in their home up to the age of 18 dental services are administrated by aged children and teenagers in the Faroe months. the municipalities. From the age of 18 Islands.

School nurses, who are also employed by until the age of 23 the National Health Health visiting nurses examine children Gigni, provide regular medical Insurance, Heilsutrygd, covers all of the in their home regularly up to the age of check-ups and personal interviews as costs relating to dental checks. 18 months. Health visiting nurses visit the family and examine the baby and provide well as parental guidance and information For information on your nearest parental guidance and health information on health-related issues. dentist’s clinic, please contact your local starting as soon as possible after the Primary doctors provide medical check- municipality. family is back home from the hospital. If ups up for children up to the age of 5 and Mental health services and physical the child or the family has special needs, vaccinations according to a vaccination therapy are available at private practices. the nurse’s home visits can continue up schedule. If you are referred to a psychologist or a to school age, otherwise the service is physical therapist by your primary doctor, provided on request from the family or the National Health Insurance will cover referral from other practitioners. 40% of the cost. If you consult e.g. a Parents and other carers are by law psychologist without referral from your not permitted to hit children – even in primary doctor, you will have to pay the connection with disciplining. The health full price. The same applies to physical visiting nurse will be happy to offer advice therapy, occupational therapy and other and guidance on raising children. therapists

46 WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO ILLNESS?

Anyone moving to the Faroe Islands with It is recommended that parents follow the As an employee in case of sickness you small children must contact the children’s national recommendations on child health might need to get a doctor’s certificate that nurse in order to receive home visits and checks and vaccinations. describes your condition. This might be the services provided by the health visiting If considered necessary, Gigni works case if you are employed as an hourly paid nurses. This includes families with closely together with primary doctors, worker and you want to receive a sickness children older than 18 months. Parents staff at day-care centres or teachers at benefit for any lost income. Anyone who are always welcome to contact Gigni if school or the local social worker at the has been in employment for at least 120 they would like advice, counselling, home- child protection office. This is always hours within the last 13 weeks is entitled visits, etc. done in close collaboration with parents. to sickness benefit as of the first day of

To get in touch with Gigni, families can Local medical officers and primary their illness. The Department of Social call the main office on tel. 562300 doctors provide medical checks up to the Services, Almannaverkið, implements the or send an email to [email protected]. age of 5 and vaccinations according to law on sickness benefits and an application Families do not need any referral to get a vaccination schedule. Parents have an must be submitted within 60 days of the counselling or home visits from Gigni. obligation to ensure that their children first day away from work.

Primary doctors provide medical checks attend health checks. You may be entitled to paid leave from up to the age of 5 and vaccinations School nurses provide regular medical your employer as of the first day of illness. according to a vaccination schedule. checks and personal interviews as well This depends on your type of employment.

School nurses provide regular medical as parental guidance and information. checks and personal interviews, as well RELEVANT AGENCIES as parental guidance and information. Department of Social Services, Almanna- verkið, www.av.fo, tel. 360000 Child Health Care Services, Gigni, www. gigni.fo, tel. 562300 REMEMBER - RIGHT TO AN INTERPRETER The National Hospital, Landssjúkrahúsið, In connection with appointments with your primary doctor, or www.ls.fo, tel. 304500 a specialist, you have a right to an interpreter free of charge if National Health Insurance, Heilsutrygd, needed. This is also the case when your child sees the doctor. www.heilsutrygd.fo, tel. 614000

47 CHILDREN, SCHOOL AND EDUCATION

This section contains information about the school system on the Faroe Islands. In addition, it provides information about benefits you are entitled to as a parent, and who to contact for advice or help regarding difficult family issues. THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

Parental Leave Fund...... 50 Education as an Adult...... 55

Pregnancy allowance...... 50 Learning services...... 56

Parental leave insurance ...... 51 Disability and learning challenges...... 56

What allowances does my child receive?. . . .51 Counselling services...... 56 i THE EDUCATION SYSTEM ...... 52 Child Protection Service...... 57

Pre-school Day Care ...... 53 i LOCAL OFFICES ...... 58 Public School in the Faroe Islands, Fólkaskúlin. .53 Other relevant agencies...... 59

Parent-teacher cooperation...... 54 Mediation in case of separation and divorce. . .59

Upper Secondary School, Miðnám...... 54 Women’s Shelter...... 59

Maritime Education...... 55

Higher Education...... 55 PARENTAL LEAVE FUND PREGNANCY ALLOWANCE

Benefits related to pregnancy are from The Department of Social Services, You may be entitled to this allowance provided as financial compensation for Almannaverkið. from the day that there are 4 weeks left loss of income when you are absent until your due date. Or, from the day that If you are in doubt, you can contact from work as a result of pregnancy, you have a doctor’s certificate confirming The Parental Leave Fund for further birth or adoption. The Parental Leave that you or your child’s health may be information, www.barsil.fo, tel. 352600. Fund, Barsilsskipanin, has as its main at risk because of the character of your task to provide these benefits to those work, though no earlier than 8 weeks who are entitled to them. Additionally, before your due date. as an employee, you may have the right Examples can be: work with chemical to receive a normal wage from your substances, stress, hard physical labour, employer, through the union´s collective psychosomatic conditions. agreement with your employer, for the Depending on which collective agreement whole period or part of the period. applies to your employment, your The main conditions for receiving the entitlement may vary. allowance from the Fund are that you live in the Faroe Islands, that you are liable to pay full tax in the Faroes and that you are the one who is caring for the child during the relevant period. Additionally, you need to have had an income (A-Income) in the last 12 months before the parental leave starts (those who are self-employed or receive unemployment benefit can be included). If you do not meet the conditions for receiving pregnancy benefit from the Parental Leave Fund it is possible to apply for parental allowance

50 WHAT ALLOWANCES PARENTAL LEAVE INSURANCE – PATERNITY AND MATERNITY DOES MY CHILD RECEIVE?

After birth the following applies: 52 weeks after the birth of the child. Child allowance is paid for all children

Parents are entitled to 52 weeks` leave In case of adoption, the parents have below the age of 18 living in the Faroe after childbirth; however, they are not a right to parental leave insurance for Islands. The allowance, barnafrádráttur, is entitled to salary/pay from the Parental 48 weeks after receiving the child. For tax-free and independent of the parents’ Leave Fund for the entire leave. If you are four of these 48 weeks the parents can income and is paid as a tax deduction. a wage-earner then you may be entitled receive benefits at the same time. The allowance is initially paid to the to paid leave for a given period from your mother. Since the child allowance is paid For more information concerning employer, you can check with your union partly by the local authority, the size of maternity/paternity and adoption or the Parental Leave Fund regarding this the allowance varies by a small amount. benefits contact the Parental Leave matter. For more information on child allowance Fund, Barsilsskipanin, www.barsil.fo A mother has the right to 40 weeks contact your municipality. within 44 weeks after birth. The father has a right to four weeks together with the mother within the period of 44 weeks after birth. GOOD ADVICE FOR PARENTS Within the first 14 weeks, it is only the Day care centres Public school mother who can claim parental leave 1. Accompany the child to the day care centre and 1. Notify the school if something happens that may insurance. The last 26 weeks of the 40 talk to the staff. When a child starts in day care affect the child’s life or health. there is special attention given to the child as the 2. Help your children to be on time for school and weeks, either the mother or the father can surroundings are new. The parent must be ready accompany them if necessary. claim the parental leave insurance, but to take time the first couple of days to be with the child at the day care centre for whole or half 3. The children must take part in all types of tui- not both parents. working days. tion whatever the weather, so remember suitable clothes. 2. You can also ask whether you can spend a day The benefit from the Parental Leave Fund at the day care centre, if you think it is necessary. 4. Attend meetings and events at school. is based on the average salary received 3. Notify the staff if anything special happens in 5. Get to know the neighbourhood of the school. the family. over the last 12 months before the leave 4. Remember clothes for all kinds of weather. up to a ceiling of DKK 25,000 per month. 5. Get to know the other parents. After the paid leave, the mother or the father has the right to unpaid leave until

51 THE EDUCATION SYSTEM: PRE-SCHOOL DAY CARE - PUBLIC SCHOOL - SECONDARY SCHOOL

UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL Age over 16 Free of charge – and falls into two areas: Vocatio- nal education (4 years) and preparation for higher education (2-3 years) MIÐNÁM 16 years THE ELECTIVE 10TH YEAR* LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL* Age 16 to 17 (10th grade) Age 14 to 15/16 (8th grade and 9th grade) Free of charge/a right but not an obligation. Free of charge/a right and obligation *After lower secondary school and before higher educati- 13/14 years on there are several options within the Faroese education system. For entrance to higher education you have to gain certain entrance qualifications.

PRIMARY SCHOOL Age 7 to 12/13 (1st grade to 7th grade) Free of charge/a right and obligation FÓLKASKÚLIN 9 years AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMME FRÍTÍÐARSKÚLI Age: 7 to 9 (1st grade to 2nd grade) Not free of charge/voluntary service 6/7 years

PRE-SCHOOL DAY CARE Age 0-6 years Payment: Monthly fee (differs from municipality to municipality) Waiting lists - dependent on the local authority

0 years 52 PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE FAROE PRE-SCHOOL DAY CARE ISLANDS, FÓLKASKÚLIN

The municipalities provide day care for If you live in Tórshavn where there are All children must attend school for 9 years, children up to school age. Day care can several schools it is possible to apply usually from the age of 7 and until the age be provided in private homes or in day to a specific school. But it cannot be of 15. care centres. Children with special needs guaranteed that a place is available, as The public elementary school can can receive specialised pedagogical there can be too many children living in be divided into two main parts – an assistance in the day care centres. the area around the chosen school. When elementary school and a lower secondary Parents can register their children for day registering your children at a day care school. care up to six months before they move to centre or for school you should always If you are the parent of a child of school the Faroe Islands. contact the local municipality. age, you must contact the municipality or As a parent you have the right to apply the school office to register your child at for a reduction in day care fee. This the school. reduction scheme is called frípláss in The schools offer 9 years of compulsory Faroese and correlates with parents’ basic education and an elective 10th year. income. Most parents make use of this right. Some public elementary schools also Children spend a lot of time offer pre-school classes for six-year-old If you are the parent of a child outside, especially at the pre- children. of school age, you must school day care centre and also contact your municipality at school. They must be properly Pupils who do not, or are unable to or local school office to dressed, and they are allowed to because of a disability benefit satisfactorily run around on the playground, register your child for school. from ordinary tuition are entitled to special climb, etc. Registration usually takes place education. in January and the venue and date Pupils who do not have Faroese as a first are usually announced on the radio. language may be entitled to additional The school year starts in august. lessons in Faroese. This is assessed at the After-school programmes are available local school by the teacher and the school in most municipalities for children in first administration office. and second grade.

53 PARENT-TEACHER COOPERATION

In the public school system, from 1st to The diplomas awarded by the Faroese 9th/10th grade, parents are expected to secondary schools are equivalent to those cooperate with school to further their awarded in the Danish education system. child’s learning. Therefore, dialogue Diplomas from the general upper between parents and school is considered secondary school and diplomas after vital. three-years’ study at technical and business schools give access to higher Usually the parents and teachers of a education. class get together once or twice a year. In addition, the contact teacher invites each For more general information about pupil’s parents to a parent-teacher talk education: The Faroese Youth Association’s website on education in once or twice a year. At such meetings the Faroes: www.les.fo the teacher usually informs the parents UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL, The International Office at the University about how their child is learning and MIÐNÁM of the Faroe Islands: www.setur.fo/ask about their progress at school and the - tel. 292513 parents are asked about their view on the There are several types of secondary child’s development. schools in the Faroe Islands building on the education received in elementary The school expects parents to attend school. such talks. Parents receive a notice in advance. If you need an interpreter, Secondary schools can be divided into please contact the school in advance. three groups: technical, business, and general education. Secondary education is available at five locations in the islands. Secondary school, Miðnám, is usually intended for at young students between the ages of 16 and 19. But preparatory education for adults is also a part of Miðnám.

54 MARITIME EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION EDUCATION AS AN ADULT

The maritime education programmes Higher education is offered at the At the evening schools it is possible to in the Faroe Islands are based on University of the Faroe Islands. The receive tuition and complete diplomas international standards and are IMO- university has two faculties and offers in the obligatory courses that make up approved. There are two agencies that bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public primary and lower secondary provide tuition. several subjects. education, such as Faroese, Danish, mathematics, and also English. Centre of Maritime Studies & Vocational academic education is offered Completing these diplomas may give you Engineering, Vinnuháskúlin, www.vh.fo at the Business College. the qualifications to proceed to further – tel. 350250 The University of the Faroe Islands: education, e.g. upper secondary school Sjónám, www.sjonam.fo – tel. 665888 www.setur.fo level. The Business College: www.fh.fo (part Some courses at secondary school level of the upper secondary education are also available through the evening centre, Glasir, www.glasir.fo) school administration.

These courses are not free.

55 DISABILITY AND LEARNING SERVICES LEARNING CHALLENGES COUNSELLING SERVICES

Homework assistance services may be If your child has a disability or if you The Child Health Service, Gigni, provides available in your municipality at the local are concerned about the development children, youths and parents with advice library. of your child, the services of Sernám and help on a range of issues related to

In Tórshavn this service is available for are available; for parents, youths and health and the wellbeing of children until pupils in the lower secondary classes professionals in the day care services they leave the public school system. and education system as well. Sernám in The Public School, Framhaldsdeildin, School nurses represent Gigni at every works to ensure that children and and pupils in upper secondary school, school and, in addition to giving pupils youths between 0 and 18 are able to Miðnám. annual health checks, they teach subjects develop and improve their skills. Special In Fuglafjørður there is a homework- related to health and welfare in class competences that fall under Sernám´s assistance drop-in service at the local sessions. The activities of Gigni at four departments are related to speech library, two days a week to help all young schools aim to prevent a negative outturn and hearing impairments; physio- and students, primary or secondary. Students for the wellbeing of a child or youth. All occupational therapy; pedagogics; and receive help with a specific assignment pupils are offered a personal interview psychology. or general homework and parents are with the school nurse at least once a also welcome to join in. This offer is for Parents can contact Sernám directly. You year. will have to submit a form, or get referral all people in the municipality and is also Gigni´s health personnel can be contacted from your primary doctor to Sernám, if intended for, and used by, pupils with through the local school or you can longer-lasting contact with Sernám is immigrant background. contact Gigni by calling or sending an needed. e- to their main office in Tórshavn. More information: www.sernam.fo, tel. Counselling is free and can be arranged 360200 at the health personnel´s office, at the local school, or in the family home.

Children, youth and families may be entitled to a more extensive counselling service if special needs arise. Examples of such cases could be: children and youths with low self-esteem, disability,

56 CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE behaviour difficulties, where the parents The law concerning child protection The Child Protection Service assesses go through separation or divorce, when states that the authorities must always each case individually to see if the alcohol abuse is in the home, when a find solutions that are best for the child – child needs help. Getting help from crisis affects the child’s surroundings, first and foremost – when the health and the services is not a universal right. disease, death, or financial problems that the wellbeing of a child are endangered. The Faroese law states that the Child affect the child or youth. The Child Protection Service in the Faroe Protection Service can take action if it It can be added that if there are family Islands, Barnaverndartænastan, is divided suspects that a child is suffering at home. problems or a mother is a victim of into 8 areas each with an office and a In a few cases, for example if the child’s domestic violence and is thinking about Child Welfare Service Board. health and welfare is endangered, the going to a woman´s shelter, she can Child Protection Service may move the A main task of The Child Protection always turn to Gigni for guidance and child out of the home, usually to a foster Service on the Faroe Islands is to assist counselling. family or to an institution for children and parents with giving their children the best youth. If the parents do not agree to the For further information: Gigni, www. possible upbringing. child being taken from the home, they are gigni.fo, tel. 562300 Child service workers support and assist entitled to legal aid. The case must then children and families in different ways. be settled by the main Child Protection Most Child Protection Service cases are Committee. worked out in good cooperation with Further information: parents or guardians. The Faroese Child Protection Service has helped around Barnaverndartænastan, www.bvs.fo, 850 children every year. tel. 302480.

Everyone is required by law to report any suspected violence, physical, mental or sexual, against children to the local office of the Child Protection Service.

It is also the task of the Child Protection Service to help children in more difficult situations.

57 CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES LOCAL OFFICES AROUND THE FAROE ISLANDS

THE NORTHERN ISLANDS, KLAKSVÍK Office hours: 10.00-16.00 A 410000 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 219181

THE MUNICIPALITY OF EYSTURKOMMUNA AND FUGLAFJØRÐUR Office hours: 9.00-15.00 A 238055 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 238059

AREA AROUND SKÁLAFJØRÐUR Office hours: 9.00-15.00 A 417000 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 237090

NORTHERN PART OF STREYMOY AND THE NORTHERN PART OF EYSTUROY Office hours: 9.00-16.00 A 667271 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 297200

TÓRSHAVN AND VICINITY Office hours: 9.00-15.00 A 302060 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 216012

VÁGOY Office hours: 10.00-15.00 A 344430 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 344430

SANDOY, SKÚVOY AND STÓRA DÍMUN Office hours: 8.00-12.00 A 361024/288024 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 281024

SUÐUROY Office hours: 10.00-16.00 A 611090 A HOTLINE - OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS: 283033

58 MEDIATION IN CASE OF OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES SEPARATION AND DIVORCE WOMEN’S SHELTER

Other relevant agencies looking out In cases of separation or breakdown of The Women’s Shelter in Tórshavn helps for children’s rights and wellbeing are relationships between parents The Danish women who are subject to domestic the Children’s Ombudsman, Barnanna High Commissioner in The Faroe Islands, violence. They also provide temporary Umboðsmaður, and Barnabati. The Ríkisumboðið, is the relevant authority accommodation for women/children in Children`s Ombudsman is an institution to approach. A mediation process crisis situations. adults and children can turn to if they can be initiated in relation to parental think a public agency or another authority A women’s shelter is a place you can responsibilities, the child’s situation in has not treated a child adequately. contact if you are a victim of violence, of the time ahead, where the child is to live, For example, you can file a complaint if you know somebody who is. The shelter regarding a school that has not been and how much time the child will spend offers advice and guidance to victims of willing to help you or your child. You with the parent they do not live with. violence, abuse, threats, etc. cannot file a complaint to the ombudsman The High Commissioner can offer child regarding a court decision, or about your The Women’s Shelter in Tórshavn is welfare counselling and conflict mediation parents or friends, etc. The office of the open weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00 PM. in disagreements over child custody or Children`s Ombudsman will most likely be Anyone who contacts a women’s shelter able to direct you to the right place if they similar. is guaranteed full anonymity. The shelter cannot help you. In cases of separation or/and divorce has access to interpreting services. Barnabati operates a helpline for children parents can get free counselling from Further information is available at www. called Tú-og-eg Ráðgevingin or You and Gigni. Me Support and Guidance. This service is kvinnuhusid.fo, hotline: 317200 available as a phone line, text messages and private chat-sessions. As a child you can use this service concerning any problems you may experience as a child. It is free and you can write and call anonymously, the helpline is open two nights a week. For more information on the helpline and Barnabati go to www.barnabati.fo or regarding The Children’s Ombudsman, visit www.bum.fo.

59 TRANSPORT AND SERVICES

This section includes information about regulation on the use of a foreign driver’s license and a foreign- registered car. Driving and owning a car in the Faroe Is- lands, and how public transport is organised. Other services, financial and communication services are also described.

60 THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

Transport...... 62

i ADVISORY CHECKLIST...... 63 Vehicle checks, vehicle laws, and annual obligations...... 65

Important dates for motor vehicle owners ...... 66

Violation of rules and regulations...... 66

i TRAFFIC RULES...... 67 Tunnels – No Stop Toll Road...... 69

Public Transport - Buses and Ferries...... 69

Bank services...... 70

Telephone and Internet...... 70

National Television...... 70

Postal Service ...... 71

Pets...... 71

61 TRANSPORT

The roads are the main transport artery Persons with a driving license issued in have to notify Akstovan as soon as of Faroese society. Roads connect 87% a country outside the EU and the Nordic possible. Interpretation can be arranged of the population. Even if the public region must exchange their driving by Akstovan, but you will have to bear the transport system is well established and license for a Faroese driving license if interpreting expenses. parts of the population depend on this they intend to stay for a period longer For further information please contact system (to arrive at work on time, etc.), than 90 days. A foreign driving license Akstovan: Akstovan, www.akstovan.fo, the preferred means of transportation can be used for up to 90 days. Before tel. 350400 amongst the majority of the islanders is exchanging their license, they must pass a the car. new driving test. Car loan Most banks can grant you a loan at a Can I use my driver’s license? The documents you must hand in to slightly higher interest rate than for a Driving licenses issued in Nordic the case officers at the Faroese Vehicle mortgage. It is often a requirement that countries and EU countries (and Administration, Akstovan, are: around 20 to 30 per cent of the purchase countries that have implemented an EU • The valid foreign driving license compatible driving license regulation) are price is paid in cash. • Application form valid in the Faroe Islands. Persons with A bank might give a car loan if the client • Documents proving your identity – a driving license issued in one of these has a steady income and otherwise a e.g. ID card or passport healthy economic situation. The banks are countries may exchange their license for • Passport photo (Passport photo a Faroese driving license without taking requirements) always willing to offer advice on these a new driving test. However, it is not • Medical or doctor´s certificate (no matters. a requirement to exchange the driving older than 3 months) license when it is issued in one of these • Payment for the driving test (incl. countries. theory and practical) DKK 550 • Issuance cost of the driving license - In order to exchange a driving license DKK 250 the foreign driving license must be valid. • Residence permit or proof of legal - You will have to submit an application stay (if the applicant is not a Nordic form and any required documents in citizen) order to exchange your foreign driving If interpretation is needed for the tests license. it can be arranged. In such case you

62 ADVISORY CHECKLIST FOR PERSONS IMPORTING A USED VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST-TIME REGISTRATION

1. BEFORE ARRIVAL AND IMPORT 2. ARRIVAL TO THE FAROE IS- OF VEHICLE TO THE FAROE IS- LANDS - APPROACH THE CUST- 3. INSURANCE FROM A LANDS OMS AUTHORITIES FAROESE INSURANCE COMPANY Check with the local authority where your vehicle Import fees are to be paid to the customs The insurance provider will notify Akstovan when is registered if there are export restrictions authorities, including value added tax. If the a new a car or vehicle insurance is obtained (an and ask the Faroese authorities about what the vehicle is produced in the EU you can be ID no. is required). approximate costs would be. exempted from the GATT-tax. In such a case you must provide documentation, the original certificate documentation from the seller with a stamp from the customs authorities in that country.

4. DOCUMENTS AND THE NO- 5. INSPECTION AND 6. PAY THE HALF-YEARLY TICE FORM FOR INSPECTIONS, REGISTRATION WEIGHT TAX/CARBON TAX FRÁBOÐAN TIL SÝN Use the notification form for inspections at After inspections have been completed and the After registration of your vehicle you will receive Akstovan and gather the required documents for fees are paid, the registration and Faroese license an invoice for a half-yearly weight tax/carbon tax. the case officers at Akstovan. The fees are to be plates can be issued. paid at the very end of the procedures.

Remember that you may be exempted if you are importing the car as removal goods when you are moving to the islands (also see the section “Moving to the Faroe Islands”).

63 How do I register my car? removal goods certification and original provide documentation for the original All motored vehicles used in the Faroe registration certificate. After customs, value from the car manufacturer or an Islands must be registered with the it is advisable to contact Akstovan for approved agent. Vehicle Administration, Akstovan (tourists instructions on how to proceed. You will Concerning the original value of the are exempted from this rule). be required to fill out papers regarding vehicle approved documentation must be inspections and hand in documentation. Anyone who moves to the islands and provided: This includes documentation from the brings a foreign motor vehicle must • The original invoice from the country where the vehicle was registered. ensure that the vehicle is registered at manufacturer with the car model no./ The vehicle must be inspected and Akstovan within the first two weeks after vehicle identification no., or approved by the Vehicle Administration, they have registered a legal residence • Original value of the specific vehicle Akstovan, and you will be required to pay address with the local authority. The model from an approved agent. the fees related to inspection, issuance of foreign license plates will be exchanged Freight costs are added to the original license plates, registration, carbon dioxide with a Faroese set of plates at the end of value of the vehicle for the purpose of outlet, and weight of the vehicle. Faroese the procedure. calculating registration costs. liability insurance is also required before It is always recommendable to contact The required documentation is as follows: registration of a vehicle. Akstovan and enquire about registration • Notice for inspection (form regarding The vehicle can only be registered if costs before importing a vehicle. inspections in the Faroe Islands) the owner (the user of the vehicle) who Registration costs can be considerable, • The original foreign registration signed the notice for vehicle inspection depending on the type and age of the document (concerning ownership and has moved to the Faroe Islands and is vehicle. technical details) registered with a legal address. For a first-time registration of a used • Copy of the invoice from the foreign imported vehicle the following applies: The registration costs increase manufacturer or agent addressed to considerably when the age of the vehicle you, the importer of the vehicle When the car arrives you should turn to is 5 years or less. • Freight letter or invoice (incl. waybill the customs authorities, TAKS, for further instructions. It is always advisable to no.) Required documentation: have the necessary paperwork in order, • Receipt from customs with value The owner of the vehicle is obliged to as soon as possible, including your added tax

64 VEHICLE CHECKS, VEHICLE LAWS, AND ANNUAL OBLIGA- TIONS

It is very important that you familiarize All motor vehicles registered in the Faroe yourself with the applicable regulations Islands pay weight tax twice a year. For before you import or use a foreign- vehicles that are registered after 1st of registered motor vehicle in the Faroe January 2017, the owner is required to Islands. If you violate the regulation, for pay a carbon based tax. instance if you fail to register the vehicle From December 1st to April 30th, the within two weeks after registering at the use of summer tires (min. 1.6 mm tread IN CASE OF A MINOR CAR municipality, you risk getting a fine from ACCIDENT OR MINOR DAMAGES depth) is only allowed if the weather the police or having the foreign license In case of minor car accidents or minor conditions permit it. During this period plates confiscated. damages to a car, a main rule is that the drivers winter tires or studded tires with a tread of both vehicles involved should find a solution depth of 3 mm are required, according to together. They should exchange names, phone Insurance regulation, if the weather conditions make numbers and license plates. The obligatory Car insurance can be a combination of liability insurance of every car owner covers it necessary. several separate insurance policies. accidents; the proper thing to do is to contact Periodic technical inspections, every the owner or to inform the police. Liability insurance is a type of insurance second year, are mandatory. Akstovan If the owner of the involved car with minor that all car owners must take out, i.e. it is sends a letter with the inspection damages cannot be reached, the police can not optional. The insurance covers every assist. Call them and ask for help. time, place and date to the owner. The type of damage or injury the car can In case of disagreements between two drivers inspection fee is included in the weight inflict on other people or objects. When the police should be contacted, or if the tax. The aim of the inspections is to make registering a car in the Faroe Islands, you damages are extensive, or if you are in doubt, sure that the car meets all regulations call the police. will have to take out liability insurance. and is in adequate condition. Remember: In case of a violation of the traffic Insurance covering loss or damage to act the police must always be notified. your own car is optional. There are two Short term stay - vehicle registration providers of insurances in the Faroes: Foreigners who plan to stay in the Faroe Tryggingarfelagið Føroyar, www.trygging. Islands for less than one year and are fo, tel. 345600 in possession of a vehicle registered Trygd, www.trygd.fo, tel. 358100 abroad may usually use their vehicle

65 IMPORTANT DATES FOR MO- VIOLATION OF RULES AND TOR VEHICLE OWNERS REGULATIONS

without registering it in the Faroe Islands. Use of studded tires is allowed between Road traffic regulations are very strict in However, this is not a rule and it is October 15th and May 1st. the Faroe Islands. The police carry out important to request a special permit Weight tax – deadlines: January 2nd and traffic stops on a regular basis on Faroese from Akstovan. The vehicle may not be July 1st (if the invoice is not paid after roads. Particular emphasis is placed on used by anyone residing in the Faroe two reminders, the police will be notified speed controls, random breathalyser tests Islands or for any commercial carriage. and will remove the license plates) (both for alcohol and other substances), behaviour in traffic, and the use of From December 1st until April 30th, the protective equipment such as safety belts use of summer tires is only allowed if and child seats. Violations of the Faroese conditions permit it. In this period winter Traffic Act, such as speeding or driving tires or studded tires with a tread depth under the influence, can lead to serious of min. 3 mm is required, according to penalties like fines, confiscation of driving regulation, if weather conditions make it licenses and, in more serious cases, necessary. In other words – drivers who imprisonment. fail to take the weather conditions into consideration and do not use appropriate The Faroes apply a penalty point tires are violating traffic regulations. system (known as a punch card system, Klippikortskipan) and the police can give you a point each time you commit a serious traffic offence (together with a fine). Sanctions are imposed according to the penalty points. Accumulating three penalty points within a period of three years will lead to a conditional confiscation of your driving license.

66 Driving with the headlights on is TRAFFIC RULES mandatory at all times.

O,2‰

The use of seat belts is obligatory, including in the The prescribed alcohol blood limit for driving When driving, drivers must have their driving back seat. Children must be secured separately in a a vehicle is 0.2 mg/ml. license, vehicle registration certificate, and a child seat or carry cot according to the child´s age warning triangle with them in the vehicle at and height. all times

50 80

The use of handheld mobile telephones while Speed limits are 50 kph in residential areas For regularly updated information on weather driving is forbidden. and 80 kph outside residential areas, unless and traffic conditions in specific parts of otherwise indicated by road signs. the islands, visit www.landsverk.fo or call 340800.

IN CASE OF A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

• If you are involved in a traffic accident, you must stop and provide assistance and help to secure the scene.

• Persons involved in a traffic accident have a duty to supply their name, address and license number.

• In the event of a death or serious injury, the police must be alerted using the emergency telephone number 112. Vehicles involved in such accidents must only be moved with the consent of the police.

67 VIOLATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS - CONTINUED

For new drivers the penalty point way street, etc. A penalty point will be influence, speeding, collisions, traffic system is stricter for the first three imposed along with a fine. A notification accidents. concerning the penalty point will be years after obtaining a license. The main Contact the police for further stated on the fine that will be sent to the goal and purpose of this point system information regarding traffic regulation. driver. is educational and it serves to warn Furthermore, The Faroese Road Safety reckless drivers. Penalty notice Council, Ráðið fyri Ferðslutrygd, is an

If you receive a penalty point in In the case of more serious offences, the organisation that works to improve road connection with a road accident, or if driver is fined and the prosecution might safety - www.rff.fo, tel. 220064. other people´s health was at risk, the bring the case to court. For example: court can decide to suspend your driving excessive speeding, driving through a red license. light, dangerous overtaking, if the vehicle poses a danger to traffic, etc. A penalty Minor offences and more serious traffic point will be imposed for such offences. violations are penalised in different ways: In the event of a conviction by the court, Penalty charges the person in question will be sentenced. For example, failure to use a safety belt, Unconditional/suspended prison using a mobile telephone, illegal parking, sentences etc. The penalty charge is sent by post. For especially serious offences, such The fine is to be paid according to the as: driving under the influence, causing instructions in the letter. injury to another person as a result of

Fixed penalties – penalty point speeding, etc. A driver may be tried in Imposed when the driver admits to the court, receive penalty points and subject offence or violation on the spot. For to a fine. example: speeding at 21 kph or more Disqualification from driving over the limit, if your child is not secured The police can suspend a driving license adequately in a child seat or carry cot, in the event of reckless driving or very driving in the wrong direction on a one- serious offences: driving under the

68 TUNNELS – NO STOP TOLL PUBLIC TRANSPORT - ROAD BUSES AND FERRIES

There are two sub-sea tunnels and a The Faroe Islands have a well established Special transport for disabled people payment system is in place for each of public transport system and an extensive If you are not able to use any kind of these two. network of buses and ferries covering public transport due to illness or handicap You have to pay a toll to use the sub- the islands. The local helicopter service for a shorter or longer period, you can sea tunnels. The road toll is to be paid connects remoter islands to the mainland apply to use the special transport service. afterwards at a gas service station - islands. The service is accessible in the either at a Magn or Effo service station. Towns and villages are connected to the municipalities of Klaksvík, Eysturoy and Alternatively, a bill will be sent to the public bus network. The public transport Tórshavn. address of the driver/owner of the vehicle company, Strandfaraskip Landsins, For more information, please contact the via automatic photo-registration of the operates the bus and ferry service. municipality office. license plates. The billing process is In Tórshavn and Klaksvík there are urban initiated when the vehicle returns to the bus services free of charge. These are mainland islands. A discount subscription run by the local municipalities. is available. The helicopter service is run by the For subscription details and for further airline company Atlantic Airways. information contact the office: Tunnil, www.tunnil.fo, 350200 Regular flights as well as car and cargo ferries are available all year round for transport of people and goods to and from the Faroe Islands.

For further information: Strandfaraskip Landsins, www.ssl.fo, 24/7 Information desk on all routes, tel. 343030, or Atlantic Airways, www.atlantic.fo, 341000

69 BANK SERVICES TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

How can I get an account for my wages buying real estate property and loans When choosing a subscription for and other things? Which options do I for other purposes, e.g. for purchasing a a mobile phone, a fixed landline or have? What documents will I need? car. The bank will make an assessment broadband internet, it is advisable to of your financial situation before granting You will need a Faroese ID no., p-tal, to check the terms, prices and your own a loan. Usually, the bank will need to needs. There are two providers to choose open an account with a Faroese bank. see documentation of your income, for The bank is under legal obligation to see instance your pay slips from the last from. and get a copy of the legitimate identity months. Interest rates are higher for cash documents of each person who opens an credit. NATIONAL TELEVISION account, e.g. passport or an EU-driving Banking services also include the issuing license. of credit cards and a personal online- The National Faroese Broadcasting A range of payments, such as wages, banking service, which is also available Company, Kringvarp Føroya, transmits in English. Customers are advised to use public allowances, pension and excess Faroese radio and TV programmes, the online-banking system as banks often tax, are transferred to a bank account. as well as Danish and Norwegian TV take service fees each time you make Therefore you will need an account. programmes and other TV programmes transactions in person at the counter in with Danish subtitles. Faroese banks offer regular payment the bank. services and provide loans for various The Faroese Broadcasting Company is Banks can provide good advice on your purposes. financed through a combination of licence private economy and are available for With these services you can enter into personal meetings regarding what options fees, radio and TV commercials and TV an automatic payment agreement with you have as a customer. But at the same bingo. your bank in order to pay your bills on time, remember that banks are private time. This means that the amount due commercial operations with their own is debited from your account on the due commercial interests. HOW DO I OPEN AN ACCOUNT? date. This is a very common way to make When choosing a subscription for • You will need a Faroese ID no., p-tal. regular payments and transactions for a mobile phone, a fixed landline or • A copy of legitimate identity documents, mortgage payments; electricity, heating broadband internet, it is advisable to e.g. passport and driving licence proving bills and phone bills; and so on. In this check the terms, prices and your own Faroese ID number and address in the way you will avoid reminder fees needs. There are two providers to choose Faroe Islands. The banks offer mortgage loans for from. • Contact the bank for a meeting.

70 POSTAL SERVICE PETS

Posta is the national postal service in Dogs and cats can only be brought to For further information contact the the Faroe Islands. There are seven post the Faroe Islands if the owner has a Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, offices around the islands. Opening hours permanent address in the Faroe Islands Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan, www.hfs. vary from place to place. Services include or is moving to the Faroe Islands to live. fo, tel. 556400. the following: Pets are not permitted on stays shorter than 3 months or in transit through the • Sale of envelopes Faroe Islands to another country. • Sale of stamps for letters, postcards As a general rule, it is prohibited to and small parcels import exotic and dangerous animals to • Sending letters by recorded delivery the Faroe Islands. • Sending letters, postcards and REMEMBER parcels Fighting dogs and other dogs with Regarding Postal Services • Sending international reply coupons aggressive behaviour are not allowed to • Mark your letterbox with your full or pre-payment of reply postage enter the Faroe Islands. name. If you have children, their • Sending insured letters A dog or a cat that is to be imported to full names should also appear on • Collection of parcels and letters sent the Faroe Islands must meet a number the letterbox by recorded delivery of requirements. These are related to • Letters from Faroese pub- ID no. (for dogs and cats) in line with For information about opening hours, lic authorities are not sent by ISO standards, vaccinations, completed your nearest , and ’s recorded delivery. You should treatment against parasites, a veterinary therefore open every letter you services, visit www.posta.fo or call the certificate, etc. main office, tel. 346000. get, as it may contain important The Food, Veterinary and Environmental information and deadlines for you Agency, Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan, to respond supervise the import of animals to the Faroe Islands. The agency can refuse import of an animal if the disease situation in the country of origin is insecure, or if the veterinary certificate is lacking or incomplete.

71 LEISURE

This section contains information on recreational activit- ies, cultural facilities, voluntary groups and organizations, and the rules that apply to hunting, fishing and whaling. THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

Voluntary groups, organisations, and sports clubs ...... 74

Voluntary work and membership ...... 74

Popular sports in the Faroe Islands ...... 75

The Public Library...... 75

Evening Schools...... 75

The Music Schools and Music Life...... 76

Museums and Cultural Institutions...... 76

Events and National Holidays...... 77

i NATIONAL HOLIDAYS...... 79

i IMPORTANT DEADLINES AND DEADLINES...... 80 Hiking...... 81

Fishing...... 82

Hunting ...... 83 VOLUNTARY GROUPS, ORGANISATIONS, AND VOLUNTARY WORK, SPORTS CLUBS AND MEMBERSHIP

There is a range of voluntary groups and Most organisations are based on volun- organise meetings and services for faith organisations in the Faroes. tary work and are to a very large extent communities.

There are religious communities, scout funded through membership fees, lot- Other islanders only participate in more associations, choirs, a variety of sports teries, and sales at events of hot-dogs, ritual contexts, such as baptisms and clubs, NGO clubs, and humanitarian cakes and the like. For each organisation confirmations, or are married and buried organisations. Remember that there and club it is of great value to have active in ceremonies organised by the church or might also be activities at a more informal members and volunteers who help to a religious community. level in your local community, such as organise activities and fundraise. Religion plays an important role knitting clubs, bingo or card playing – in Faroese culture. The Lutheran- please check with the local municipality. NGOs and others Evangelical church is the official church, The aforementioned knitting clubs are A number of NGOs working for specific but there are various other churches in informally organised and usually based goals of a philanthropic character are the Faroe Islands as well. The Plymouth around familiar relations, friends, school- established in the Faroes and are open Brethren are the second largest faith friends - but not always. to new members and volunteers – for community. Others include Catholics, Swimming pools are open to the public instance Amnesty International and Red Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah´s to use for an entrance fee. And as an Cross. The political youth associations Witnesses and Baha’is. individual you might also be able to are also open to volunteers and new According to the constitution, everyone sign on for a regular session at a local members. sports hall for year at the time, e.g. for is entitled to associate in communities badminton or five-a-side football with to worship according to his or her Religious and belief-based communities friends. convictions. The public sector supports Many islanders are members of religious religious communities financially. Most organisations require a membership or faith-based communities. Some fee, usually for a whole or half-year, and people participate actively in work with most organisations and groups are open children and youth, such as Sunday for anyone to join. schools, children´s choirs or summer If you wish to track down a particular camps. Otherwise, whether it is for sports club or activity your local the state church or other communities, municipality is a good place to start. volunteers and part-time employees help

74 POPULAR SPORTS IN THE FAROE ISLANDS THE PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENING SCHOOLS

Football, handball and gymnastics Every municipality has a public library. Evening schools offer tuition in different are amongst the most popular sports Most public libraries are established as subjects – from learning English to activities in the community. There are parts of the local school. Libraries are learning how to weld. You sign up to a sports organisations in almost every open for everyone to use and you can get subject of your liking, you pay the fee and larger village. Especially children and a user card if you have an ID no., p-tal. you should expect an interesting course youth are active in the most popular You can borrow books, videos, DVDs, and a nice regular social event where you sports. CDs, etc. for free. The libraries vary in meet other people with whom you have a Faroese sports clubs are open to terms of the books and literature that are shared interest. The courses are almost everyone, although the ambition available and also which languages are all in Faroese. For more about Faroese and level of professionalism do vary represented. Often literature in English language tuition, see also the section between sports clubs and types of sport. is available, in addition to Danish and Learning Faroese Language and Culture. Children’s sports activities take place . Library users also There is normally a deadline for signing on the children’s terms and all children have access to a computer with internet are included, regardless of ambitions up and paying for courses. connection in most libraries. The libraries or needs. The goal is for the children The social aspect is an important part have different opening hours and do vary to enjoy themselves and have fun with of evening school courses. Sharing cake in terms of available services from one friends. Parents must pay a membership and coffee, drekkamuður, literally meaning municipality to the other. fee for their children to join a sports club. a drop of tea or coffee, is an important Boat racing, kappróður, is the national element of courses at the evening school. sport of the Faroe Islands. Rowing When you are looking for the nearest competitions are held in different towns evening school, start with the local and villages at festivals in late May, June municipality or school – they will know and July, and the final competition is held where to direct you. in Tórshavn on St Olaf’s Wake, Ólavsøka, on July 28th.

Other sports include swimming, chess, bridge, darts, badminton, golf, judo and table tennis.

75 THE MUSIC SCHOOLS AND MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL MUSIC LIFE INSTITUTIONS

The pleasure derived from music is The Nordic House The National Theatre immense in the Faroe Islands. Almost The Nordic House, Norðurlandahúsið, is The National Theatre of the Faroe Islands, every occasion is an opportunity to sing a cultural organisation under the Nordic Tjóðpallur Føroya, is set in a former milk or play, or both, be it at national holidays, Council of Ministers with the objective dairy in the centre of Tórshavn. The religious gatherings, weddings, funerals, of supporting and promoting Nordic and theatre performs Faroese plays, as well or other occasions. There are also several Faroese culture. It offers a wide range of as classic and modern plays from other choirs around the islands for male, female events all year round, including concerts, countries. and mixed voices. exhibitions, and theatre performances. Further information: The National Theatre,

The Faroese music schools are very Further information: The Nordic House in www.tjodpallur.fo (in Faroese) popular, and many children are learning the Faroe Islands, www.nlh.fo to play a variety of musical instruments. The Playhouse Theatre The Playhouse Theatre, Sjónleikarhúsið, The music school programme is partly The National Art Gallery public and partly municipally funded with The Faroese National Art Gallery, in Tórshavn has been the centre of a rich over 10 music schools around the islands Listasavnið, in Tórshavn features a and diverse cultural life for a very long offering qualified music tuition. There permanent exhibition of older and modern time. It hosts a wide variety of plays and might be waiting lists to join your local Faroese artists, as well as travelling cultural performances. music school. exhibitions of foreign artists and special Further information: The Playhouse showcase exhibitions of Faroese artists. Theatre, www.sjonleikarahusid.com (in Faroese) Further information: National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, www.art.fo The National Library The National Library, Landsbókasavnið, is the national book depository and library of the Faroe Islands. It collects, registers and preserves examples of Faroese literature, as well as books and articles discussing the Faroe Islands.

76 EVENTS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

Further information: The National Library, There are several recurring cultural The Knitting Festival is an occasion to www.flb.fo events that are popular amongst the experience the knitting culture on the islanders and shed light on Faroese islands where locals and guests from The National Museum culture and arts, the fishing industry and abroad learn about knitting and enjoy The National Museum, Tjóðsavnið, is both other aspects of society. each other’s company. The Faroe Islands a cultural and natural history museum. It Every year in June the Culture Night, Knitting Festival has in previous years offers displays on geology, archaeology, Mentanarnáttin, is held in Tórshavn. The been held in mid April. folk life and history. The museum has programme of the event draws a lot of an open air branch located close to the people out to visit workplaces that open Local Festivals permanent exhibition. to the public only on this evening, and art Local festivals with sports, concerts and

Further information: The Natural Museum, exhibitions are open all evening with no various other activities for all ages have entrance fee – just to name a couple of www.savn.fo traditionally been held around the islands items on the programme. during the summer. These festivals, known as bygdastevnur, take place Reinsaríið The Day of Faroese Seafarers and This venue is part of the capital´s cultural Fishermen, Føroya Sjómannadagur, is an annually starting in Klaksvík, Runavík, programme and on a weekly basis offers annual event in Klaksvík that takes place Sundalagið and Suðuroy in June and musical performances of different kinds, over a weekend in early August. While in Fuglafjørður, Vágar, Skálafjørður and mostly contemporary pop/rock music. informing about Faroese fishermen´s life Vestmanna in July. And in early August at sea and subjects related to the sea Ovastevna is held. The traditional rowing Further information: www.reinsariid.fo with lectures and exhibits, this is also competition is a main attraction at most a family-friendly event culminating in of these festivals. a grand and popular water fight in the

harbour of Klaksvík. St Olaf’s Wake A day is held in Tórshavn in The national holiday of the Faroe Islands, early May - showcasing various seafood St Olaf’s Wake, Ólavsøka, is held in products from Faroese waters, including Tórshavn on July 28th and 29th. People the more exotic ones, fresh from the from all over the islands gather in the fishing vessels. capital to celebrate the national holiday,

77 which is also a cultural and sports Summar Festivalurin is a large festival festival with rowing, football matches, art with local musicians and international exhibitions, folk music, and Faroese chain bands held in Klaksvík in early August. dancing. Further information: www.

Ólavsøka starts on the eve of St Olaf, summarfestivalur.fo (in Faroese) July 28th, with a procession of sports people and horse-riders and an opening Summartónar is a classical and ceremony in front of the parliament contemporary music festival with a building. This event is usually broadcasted programme of concerts in churches, live by the National Faroese Broadcasting museums and other public venues around Company, KVF. the islands in June and July. Further information: www.composers.fo On the day of St Olaf, July 29th, the Faroese Parliament opens its session after the summer holiday with a The Country and Blues Festival is held procession and a service at the Cathedral in Sørvágur in early June. in Tórshavn. Further information: www.country.fo

Music Festivals Voxbotn is a one-day festival held in There are several music festivals and Tórshavn in late June. concerts to choose from during the Further information: www.voxbotn.fo summer period. Both local musicians and internationally acclaimed artists visit Faroese venues

G! Festival is a large festival with international and local musicians held in Gøta in mid July. Further information: www.gfestival.fo 78 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

1st of January Falls between March/April 1st of May 5th of June New Year’s Day May Day Constitution Day Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Labour Day, a day off A half day off for Easter Sunday, Easter Monday for most workers most employees

25st of April Flag Day A half day off for some employees, for others it is whole day off

Dýribiðidagur Whit Sunday Danish/Faroese public holiday Public holiday falling on the falling on the fourth Friday after Sunday that is nearest to the 50th Easter day after Easter

Whit Monday Public holiday

Ascension Day Public holiday falling on the 40th day after Easter

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

28st of July 24th of December Eve of St Olaf’s Wake Christmas Eve

29st of July 25sth of December St Olaf’s Wake Christmas Day Ólavsøka or Ólavsøkudagur 26th of December Second Christmas Day /Boxing Day

31st of December New Year’s Eve

79 IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

Holiday allowance 2nd May January payment nd Biannual motor vehicle Around 2 of January Start of the local festi- End of May/start-June weight tax/carbon tax vals, Norðoyarstevna in Klaksvík Registering children for During the course of Janu- Father`s Day 5th June elementary school start. ary - place and exact date Contact the municipality announced on the radio. June or the school office. School year ends End of June March July Grækarismessa – Return 12th March st of the national bird, the Application deadline 1 of July oystercatcher, tjaldrið. – for higher education Celebrating the arrival of (Kvota 1, Faroe Islands) th spring Application deadline 5 July Application deadline – 15th March – for higher education for Secondary School, (Kvote 1, Denmark) st Miðnám Biannual motor vehicle Around 1 July Easter week school Follows the Easter week weight tax/carbon tax th th vacation St. Olaf’s Wake, Ólavsøka 27 – 29 July Application deadline 15th March August – for higher education (Kvote 2, in Denmark) School year starts Usually mid August Summer time begins Between 25th and 31st of October March Studded tires allowed 15th October April School autumn vacation Mid October Before 1st of April use of 1st April Summer time ends Between 25th and 30th summer tires only allow- October ed if conditions allow it Herding of the sheep and During October Application deadline 15th April slaughter – for higher education (Kvota 2, Faroe Islands) November nd Lambing season During April-May Hare hunting season 2 November starts May Studded tires not allow- 1st May December st ed after 1st May Use of summer tires only 1 December allowed if conditions al- Deadline for filing in the Around 1st May low it. Winter or studded tax return (regular) tires required Mother`s Day Second Sunday in May Hare hunting season 31st December ends 80 HIKING

Access to the mountains, the shoreline When walking in the Faroese nature you and beaches is always an option – there need to take some precautions. Some If you do get into trouble are very few restrictions. Hiking in the come naturally, others perhaps not. Some while hiking, if you should mountains has become an increasingly precautions: get lost, or if you should fall, then call popular activity in the Faroe Islands. • Plan your trip beforehand. 112, the emergency hotline, for help. Before asphalt roads and drastic • Where you find the old village paths Please be aware that there is not improvements in infrastructure from the visible in the landscape these are network coverage for mobile phones 1960s onwards, walking in the mountains to be used instead of climbing over in all mountainous terrain or far from and between villages was almost the fences. inhabited places. only means of transportation. On a • Take notice of the weather conditions regular basis, postal services, doctors, – do not go hiking if the weather is priests, etc. used mountain paths that foggy. And be aware of sudden fog. linked villages together. On these paths • Ask for advice in the local community there are guiding cairns, used as a guide on where to go and where not to go. in thick fog, a legacy from a bygone • Take care not to disturb birds or time. And when walking the mountains sheep. And close all gates behind nowadays, it is advisable to use these old you. paths, instead of climbing over fences. • During winter, be aware of the

However, there are restrictions. And hunting season (2nd November to for some plots of land there are stricter 31st December for hare hunting). rules, such as all cultivated fields, and There are also hiking clubs you can join – land where sheep or cattle are kept and there usually is a fee to be paid for each other fenced-in plots. Where there are trip or membership. fences there are usually gates that can be For further information and to see the used. But remember that it is prohibited to trespass through fields, please bear in annual hiking programme of the Hiking mind that all grass is intended for winter Association, Gongufelagið: www. fodder. Visittorshavn.fo.

81 FISHING

At the pier or from land Fishing in inland lakes and rivers The Faroe Islands Fishing Club, Føroya Saltwater fishing, at the pier for instance Fishing wild salmon and trout in rivers Sílaveiðufelag, www.laks.fo – also in or coastal , is generally free for and inland lakes can require a license/ English. everyone to do. You just need to stay permit and is not always free, especially outside the areas marked for industrial when the lake is on a landowner´s private activities and make sure that you are not property, and there is regulation in place disturbing any industrial fishery activities concerning fish catches. Therefore, it at the quay. is a good idea before you plan your trip to ask in the local community, e.g. the

In small boats municipality or the fishing club, Føroya If you go fishing in a small boat you must Sílaveiðufelag, about places, good spots, make sure that you have the necessary and where to buy permits for fishing. safety equipment on-board and that There is a regulation in place, which you everyone on-board wears a lifejacket or a need to take into consideration. General life vest. rules can be studied at the website of

82 HUNTING

Hare hunting beaching, killing and distribution of pilot The hare-hunting season is 2nd whales are fully regulated by law and November to 31st December. The owner regulations. Catches are shared among of the land is the one who holds the the participants and local community. rights to any hunting activity. In most When a school of pilot whales has parts of the islands there are areas for been beached and killed, the catch is hunting hares and hunting rights can be distributed. The district administrator bought from the owner of the land. calculates the shares and distributes Bird hunting tickets, showing how much meat and Bird hunting is still practiced to a certain blubber each person, who is entitled to a degree in the Faroe Islands by catching share, will receive. with nets or shooting. The law states that The whale meat and blubber is divided it is not allowed to hunt birds on Sundays according to how many have participated or holidays. Please consult with the police in the hunt and how many whales are regarding hunting seasons, which species caught. Depending on the size of the may be hunted, and other terms. catch, the people who live in the area For further information, contact the typically also receive a share. police. www.politi.fo – tel. 351448. When the district administrator has distributed the tickets, known as seðlar, Whaling Whaling has always been a communal people go to the whale indicated on hunting activity and a method to secure the ticket. Often, several people share food and survival in a remote island group a whale. They will butcher the whale in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. together. You should contact the district administrator personally if you would like Whale drives in the Faroe Islands take to get a share or further information. place to provide food, and can happen at any time of the year. The driving,

83 USEFUL INFORMATION

TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS

List of some of the Faroese trade unions and employers’ associations: Other unions:

Havnar Arbeiðsmannafelag (Tórshavn General Workers’ Union) Felagið Føroyskir Sjúkrarøktarfrøðingar (Nurses)

Havnar Arbeiðskvinnufelag (Tórshavn Women Workers’ Union) Heilsurøktarafelagið (Health carers assistants in the public health

Føroya Arbeiðarafelagð (Faroese General Workers` Union) sector, e.g. the hospitals.)

Klaksvíkar Arbeiðsmannafelag (Klaksvík General Workers` Union) Heilsuhjálparafelag Føroya (Health care assistants in retirement homes, institutions or private homes.) Klaksvíkar Arbeiðskvinnufelag (Klaksvík Women Workers` Union) Starvsmannafelagið (Salaried professionals in different positions, S & K-Felagið (Office and Retail Workers` Union) journalists, secretaries and others)

Føroya Handverkarafelag (Confederation of Faroese Unions for Craftsmen) Føroya Lærarafelag (Teachers in Faroese public primary and lower secondary school) Landsfelag Handverkaranna (Faroese National Confederation of Craftsmen`s Unions) Føroya Pedagogfelag (Social educators, in e.g. day care centres) Føroya Fiskimannafelag (The Faroese Fishermen`s Union) Akademikarafelag Føroya (Academics)

Samtak (Umbrella organisation for several workers` unions, www.samtak.fo) Búskapar- og Løgfrøðingafelag Føroya (Economists, legal experts and lawyers)

The umbrella organization for Faroese employers associations Other employers associations in the private sector include: in the private sector is: Føroya Arbeiðsgevarafelag Føroya Handverksmeistarafelag (Carpentry) For the public sector it is either the municipal organisation or the Department for Wages at Reiðarafelagið fyri Farmaskip (Shipping) the Ministry of Finance that are party to collective bargaining with the unions on the Faroese Føroya Prentsmiðjufelag (Printing houses) labour market. Arbeiðsgevarafelagið hjá fíggjarstovnum í Føroyum (Banking)

84 USEFUL INFORMATION

INTERPRETATION SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE FAROE ISLANDS

Several languages are interpreted in the and they offer a professional service to present in the islands are, besides the Faroe Islands, typically in court and with e.g. courts and the hospital sector on a Nordic languages, the following: the police, and from time to time at the regular basis. English Polish Serbian police station or the national hospital in • Language Line, +800 752-6096, French Spanish Tórshavn. www.languageline.com (USA) German Russian But there might not be interpreters • Social-Medicinsk Tolkeservice, +45 present in the islands for all languages Individuals living in the Faroe Islands who 7020 9012, www.tolkeservice.dk spoken in the Faroes. In such cases, speak the following languages fluently are (Denmark) interpreting services from abroad might also available for help with interpretation • TolkeService (Dansk be used via telecommunication, e.g. tasks: Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Filipino Flygtningehjælps Tolkeservice), in court – interpreting into English or (Tagalog), Ilocano (ethno-based language +45 3373 5335, www.tolkeservice. Danish. in the Philippines) and Thai. flygtning.dk (Denmark) Another related and important aspect is Rights – legal basis It is recommended that any agency that that an interpreter might not necessarily Løgtingslóg um almenna heilsutrygd, § 3,4 – uses an interpreter ensures in advance be schooled or certified for a given Public Health Insurance Act. that the interpreter is qualified and suited interpretation-task; or the subject matter Anordning om ikrafttræden for Færøerne to the task – if the subject matter might might be highly sensitive. Again, in such af lov om patienters retstilling, § 7 – The be sensitive, it is always recommendable cases, interpretation services from e.g. Patient`s Rights Act for the Faroe Islands. to hire a certified and trained interpreter Denmark or other locations might be The two aforementioned laws can be for the task. The Faroese Immigration used. found at the official website www.logir.fo. Office is ready to help individuals Available and recommended interpretati- or agencies in matters relating to on services abroad interpretation. If you have questions or The Faroese Immigration Office is matters about interpretation you can aware of the following services that are contact the Faroese Immigration Office. available over the Internet or telephone communication. These services are used The languages that have been interpreted in our Nordic neighbouring countries in the Faroe Islands with an interpreter

85 USEFUL INFORMATION GOOD ADVICE FOR INTERPRETATION

The Danish interpretation service of the inform the user about the code of EMERGENCY NUMBERS Danish Refugee Council recommends confidentiality that applies. the following practical advice when • Talk directly to the user/client, not Emergency interpretation is used: to the interpreter. • Be aware of the body-language of Dial 112 for emergency: Police, Fire, Before the conversation: the user/client. Ambulance • Make sure to book in advance • Make sure that you express the right interpreter for the right yourself clearly and avoid difficult Police language or dialect. specialist terms. Tel. 351448 • Make sure to set enough time aside • Use clear, concise and shorter as an interpreted conversation sentences. The National Hospital can take twice as long time as an • Expect the interpreter to interpret J.C. Svabosgøta 41-49, 100 Tórshavn ordinary conversation. everything that is said by each Information-desk, tel. 304500 • Inform the interpreter in and every person during the advance about the content of the conversation. conversation or interview. Læknavaktin/GP Service (outside office For long conversations • Consider if the overall setting and hours): call 1870 Remember that it can be exhausting seating of the interpreter and to interpret, especially if it is a long other participants is appropriate See also page 44 for further information conversation. Have a break or two according to the plan of the regarding essential services. during the conversation. interpreted conversation, or if you After the conversation use telecommunication devices, • Everybody should leave the room make sure that they work properly. at the same time, so as to maintain • Make sure that it is you who are in trust between the parties. charge of the conversation and not • Consider whether it is necessary the interpreter. to have a talk with the interpreter, During the conversation: if the subject has been difficult and • Take time to introduce the sensitive. interpreter to the user. • Consider if you should rebook the • Explain the role of the interpreter, interpreter for a next time. also by using the interpreter, and

86 USEFUL INFORMATION

USEFUL SERVICES

WOMEN’S SHELTER FREE LEGAL HELP BARNABATI - KVINNUHÚSIÐ - RÆTTARHJÁLPIN - TÚ OG EG RÁÐGEVINGIN

The Women’s Shelter in Tórshavn - helps The advisors at Rættarhjálpin can assist Barnabati operates the help-line for women who are subject to domestic you in almost all kinds of cases, for example children called Tú-og-eg Ráðgevingin or violence; they also provide temporary appeal against decisions made by public You and Me-Support and Guidance. This accommodation for women/children in authorities, divorce, legal separation, child service is available as a phone-line, text- crisis situations. custody and access (visitation rights), messages and private chat-sessions. As consumer law, debt rescheduling, wills a child you are able to use this service www.kvinnuhusid.fo and inheritance. concerning any problems you may have. tel.: 317200 It is free and you can write and call Rættarhjálp Føroya anonymously, the help-line is open two Gongin 20, 110 Tórshavn nights weekly. www.raettarhjalpin.fo, tel. 319823 www.barnabati.fo Tú-og-eg Ráðgevingin tel.: 807010

87 PUBLIC AGENCIES - PROFILES

THE FAROESE VEHICLE TAKS HEILSUTRYGD ADMINSTRATION

TAKS is the Faroese Tax Administration, The Faroese National Health Insurance, Akstovan is responsible for vehicle a public agency under the Ministry of Heilsutrygd, oversees the implementation inspections and driving licenses. Finance. The staff numbers around 120 of public health insurance legislation. Akstovan`s main goal is to improve safety and TAKS has departments in Klaksvík, The agency administrates allowance and in traffic. In addition to organizing driving Saltangará, Tórshavn, Tvøroyri and at the benefits covering the cost of most primary tests, performing inspections and assisting airport in Vágar. health services available on the islands. other authorities with matters related to The main tasks of TAKS are to ensure Health care services are financed by traffic, Akstovan oversees the driver´s that the state receives revenues, to the government and by mandatory license registry and the registration administrate tax returns and customs, as contributions from all residents, through of vehicles, as well as taxes related to well as to protect against illegal import and the National Health Insurance. vehicles. export. TAKS administrates laws regarding The National Health Insurance covers taxes, customs and other levies. Also, general and specialist medical treatment Contact information TAKS manages certain allowances and and subsidises a proportion of Telephone: 350400 public funds, such as the Parental Leave medication, dental treatment and other Internet: www.akstovan.fo Fund, Travel Fund, interest deductions and specialist treatments, e.g. physiotherapy, holiday allowance. psychotherapy and podiatry. Other services that the National Health Insurance Contact information oversees are travel-expenses related Telephone: 352600 to treatment and expenses in relation to Internet: www.taks.fo burial.

Contact information Telephone: 614000 Internet: www.heilsutrygd.fo

88 PUBLIC AGENCIES - PROFILES

THE CHILD PROTECTION GIGNI SERVICES STRANDFARASKIP LANDSINS

The Child Health Service, Gigni, provides The Child Protection Service in the Faroe The public transport company, children, youths and parents with advice Islands, Barnaverndartænastan, is divided Strandfaraskip Landsins, operates the and help on a range of issues related to into 8 areas each with a local office and bus and ferry service. Their main task is the health and wellbeing of children until Child Welfare Service Board. to connect islands and villages both on they leave the public school system. A main task of The Child Protection mainland islands and in remote locations. Gigni provides regular home visits to Service on the Faroe Islands is to assist About 160 people work at the public families with new-borns in the Faroe parents with giving their children the best transport company. There are 7 ferries Islands. The main goal is to promote possible upbringing. and over 30 busses in its fleet. health, to prevent sickness, to strengthen The helicopter service is operated by and develop parental competency and Contact information Atlantic Airways (www.atlantic.fo). to uncover any challenges to children’s Telephone: 302480 well-being and development as early and Internet: www.bvs.fo Contact information quickly as possible. Telephone: Main Office, tel. 343000 – Gigni has staff representing the service at Route and schedules, tel. 343030 all schools. Internet: www.ssl.fo Gigni also has qualified staff available for counselling regarding issues related to abortion. Gigni can provide advice and counselling to any woman with questions about abortion. This service is available by email and telephone.

Contact information Telephone: 562300 Internet: www.gigni.fo ([email protected])

89 PUBLIC AGENCIES - PROFILES

LANDSVERK ALMANNAVERKIÐ THE POLICE

The headquarters of Landsverk are The Department of Social Services, The police force in the Faroe Islands is located in Tórshavn. It operates eight road Almannaverkið, administers a range of under the authority of the Danish Ministry stations throughout the country, as well as social welfare schemes. As a cornerstone of Justice. The police in the Faroes work three forges, one asphalt plant, four stone in the Faroese welfare community to maintain peace, security and the rule of and broken stone quarries, one bitumen Almannaverkið staffs around 750 people. law – the main activities are: storage facility, and one salt depot. Almannaverkið provides, amongst other • Prevent, stop, investigate and prosecute offenses Landsverk oversees road, harbour and services: counselling on rights and options • Cooperate with others – provide entrepreneurial tasks. The institution for individuals; old-age pension schemes assistance and service to other consults, plans, carries out, runs and for approximately 8.000 individuals; parties, within the remit of the police maintains main roads, harbours, buildings, services for people with special needs, force, prosecution and district sheriffs, helipads, and the area around the airport. living at home or at an institution; as well sýslumenn. as the sick day scheme and the family Contact information income supplement for families with very There are six police stations in the islands Telephone: 340800 low household income. – in Klaksvík, Runavík, Tórshavn, Miðvágur, Internet: www.landsverk.fo Sandur and Tvøroyri. Contact information The Prosecution Authority in the Faroe Telephone: 360000 police district has a staff of around 10 Internet: www.av.fo people. The court in the Faroe Islands is also under Danish authority. The court in the Faroes has its main office in Tórshavn, with another office on Suðuroy. Around 25 people work for the court.

Contact information Telephone: 351448 Internet: www.politi.fo

90 PUBLIC AGENCIES - PROFILES

BARNANNA UMBOÐSMAÐUR – THE CHILDREN’S OMBUDSMAN

The Children`s Ombudsman is an institution adults and children can turn to if they think a public agency or another authority has not treated a child adequately. For example you can file a complaint regarding a school that has not been willing to help you or your child. You cannot file a complaint to the ombudsman regarding a court decision, or about your parents or friends etc. The office of the Children’s Ombudsman will most likely be able to direct you to the right place if they cannot help you.

Contact information Telephone: 358500 Internet: www.bum.fo

91 ALPHABETICAL INDEX

A Dismissals (from work); 27, 31 Government tax; 33 After-hours GP Service, Læknavaktin; 44 Divorce; 57, 59 After School Programmes; 53 Driving licenses; 62 H Health Insurance; 42 B E Higher education; 55 Bank services; 70 Education recognition; 37 Hiking; 81 Borgaragluggin; 34 Education system; 52 Hiking Association, Gongufelagið; 81 Buying a home; 15 Elderly care; 16 Homeowner's insurance; 16 Elections; 8 Homework assistance drop-in service; 56 C Elementary school; 53 Human rights; 6 Cairns; 81 Emergency telephone number; 44, 86 Hunting; 83 Car insurance; 62 Employment contract; 21 Car loan; 64 European Declaration of Human Rights; 6 I Child allowance; 51 European Union; 6 Important dates and deadlines; 80 Child health care; 45 Evening schools; 10, 59 Interest subsidy; 26 Child Protection Services; 6, 57 Interpretation; 22, 85 Childbirth; 30, 46 F Children's rights; 6,7 Family reunification; 7, 12 K Class-teacher; 54 Faroese Immigration Office; 13 Knitting clubs; 74 Collective bargaining agreements; 26 Faroese; 7 Kommunulækni; 42 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Faroese language learning; 20 Discrimination against Women; 6 Fishing; 26, 82 L Fólkaskúlin; 53 Labour market; 26 D Foreign fishing vessels (employment); 26 Labour rights; 27 Danish constitution; 7 Frípláss; 53 Læknavaktin; 44 Day care; 38 Funeral services; 16 (Burial expenses; 88) Legal aid; 9, 57, 87 Deductions; 33, 51, 88 Libraries; 75 Dental care; 42, 46 G List of some of the Faroese unions; 84 Disability pension; 36 Gigni; 45, 46 Local festivals; 77

92 M Pets; 71 T Maritime Education; 42 Pharmacies; 42 Tax Return; 34 Mediation; 55 Physical therapy; 46 Taxes; 33 Medicine; 42 Police traffic stops; 66 The Faroese Vehicle Administration, Akstovan; 62 Mental health service; 46 Postal services; 71 The Parental Leave Fund, Barsilsskipanin; 50 Miðnám; 54 Pregnancy care; 45 Traffic Rules; 67 Minor damages to a car; 65 Pregnancy benefit; 50 Mobile phone; 70, 81 Primary doctor, kommunulækni:; 42 U Mortgage loans; 33, 70 Private economy; 70 Unemployment Fund; 37 Municipal services; 16 P-tal – The Faroese identification number; 14 Unions; 26 Music Schools; 76 Public School; 53 Upper Secondary School, Miðnám; 54 Public transport; 69 N V National Holidays; 62, 79 R Vaccinations; 42 National Faroese Broadcasting Company, KvF; Religious and belief-based communities; 74 Violations of the Faroese Traffic Act; 66 70 Renting a home; 15 Vehicle weight tax; 63, 65 Rights of the Child; 6 Voluntary groups and organizations; 74 O Old Norse traditions; 7 S W Old-Age Pensions; 36 Safety at work; 32 Wages; 27 Opening an account; 70 Seat bealt; 67 Waste disposal; 16 School nurses; 46, 56 Weather and traffic conditions; 67 P Self employment; 38 Whaling; 83 Parental leave; 30, 50 Sick leave; 30 Work permit; 12 Parental guidance; 46 Speeding; 68 Work related pension schemes; 35 Parent-teacher cooperation; 54 Sports activities; 75 Working environment; 32 Pay slip; 28 St Olaf's Wake, Ólavsøka; 77 Penalty point system (Klippikortskipan); 66 Sub-sea tunnels; 69 Pensions; 35

93 NEW TO THE FAROE ISLANDS

Have you recently moved to the Faroes? Do you have colleagues, friends or others you wish to inform about life in the Faroe Islands? This handbook contains practical information regarding public agencies and other that you may find useful.

• Do I need to exchange my driving license? • Where do I get tuition in Faroese language? • When do children start in school? • What do I do if I get ill? • How are health care services organized in the Faroes? • How do I open a bank account?

This handbook answers these and many other questions.

Útlendingastovan – The Faroese Immigration Office www.immigration.fo