This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Iceland. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Iceland's hate crime report page.

Hate crime recording and data collection

Iceland's data, collected by the National Police Commissioner, include cases of discrimination and defamation. There is no systematic collection of hate crime statistics in Iceland across the criminal justice system. Reported criminal offences are registered in a central police database (LÖKE).

While hate speech is specifically covered by law, hate crime is only covered by a general provision of the criminal code that relates to the motive of the perpetrator.

"Possible Hate Crimes" are registered in the police database as an addition to the registered offence based on the existence of a potential bias motive. The type of motive is also registered. Motives available for registration include: sexual orientation, gender identity, religion (other), religion (anti-Semitism), religion (anti-Christian), religion (anti-Muslim), racist - xenophobic bias and other.

Hate crimes are not recorded by prosecutors or the judiciary, only hate speech. 

The National Commissioner of Police conducts victimization surveys; the 2021 survey included questions about possible bias motivation. The results of the 2021 survey are published here.

Hate crime victim support

Iceland provides specialized support for victims of hate crimes as part of its general victim support scheme.

The Family Justice Center in Reykjavík – a one-stop-shop for adult victims of violence – offers counselling, legal advice and interpretation services free of charge. The Center works in co-operation with law enforcement, public and municipal administration, and civil society. The Center is attended by a police officer specialized in hate crimes. Women victims of hate crime can find shelter, while migrants can address the Icelandic Human Rights Centre – a specialized civil society organization.

Hate crime capacity building

In 2017, Iceland implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) and the Prosecutors and Hate Crimes Training (PAHCT) programmes. 

In May 2024, ODIHR conducted a refresher police training  (TAHCLE) and a training for prosecutors (PAHCT). At the Center for Police Training and Professional Development (CPTPD)  the following courses and training were held in 2024: Advanced Specialized CPTPD Programs; Criminal Investigation (10 ECTS): Includes a module on hate crimes and multiculturalism (target group: investigative officers); Leadership Training for Shift Supervisors (10 ECTS): Includes a module on hate crimes and multiculturalism; Diploma in Police Science – University of Akureyri. Mandatory course: Diversity and Policing (6 ECTS), covering hate crimes, hate speech, and multiculturalism; Hate and Extremism: Prevention and Response Course (one day course) led by trainers who completed ODIHR training in May 2024. Covers the impact of extremism, hate speech, and hate crimes on victims and communities, police response, and prevention strategies. Based on ODIHR’s TAHCLE material.

The Centre for Police Training and Professional Development (CPTPD) has an agreement with Samtökin '78 (The National Queer Organization, of Iceland which advocated for +LGBTQIA rights) to provide training for police staff. This agreement, initially made in 2021 and renewed in 2024, ensures the educational representatives from Samtökin '78 regularly conduct training sessions for all police staff and students in police studies.