Effective Dates: 04/23/2019 - Present Previous | Next

TN 8 (04-19)

RS 02002.530 Rule for Government Employees - U.S.-Icelandic Agreement

A. Vienna Conventions

The Vienna Conventions provide that in general, nationals of a country who work abroad in the diplomatic or consular services of their country are exempt from social security coverage and contributions under the host country's laws unless the host country specifically waives that exemption.

The Conventions, to which both the United States and Iceland are parties, apply to:

  • •

    members of the staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, including the diplomatic, consular, administrative, and technical staffs;

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    dependents of members of those staffs;

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    the domestic service staffs of those missions; and

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    under certain conditions, the private servants employed by members of such missions.

B. Agreement provisions

1. General

The agreement does not affect the coverage of U.S. or Icelandic Government employees to whom the Vienna Conventions apply. They remain exempt from coverage in the host country.

The agreement establishes the following rules for government employees not covered by the Vienna Conventions:

  • •

    U.S. nationals employed by the U.S. Government or a U.S. Government instrumentality in Iceland are subject to U.S. Social Security taxes and coverage laws only.

  • •

    Icelandic nationals employed by the Icelandic Government or an Icelandic Government instrumentality in the United States are subject to Icelandic social security taxation and coverage laws only.

2. Definitions

a. U.S. Government employee

For purposes of applying this provision of the agreement, the phrase "U.S. Government employee" means employees of the Federal Government or any of its instrumentalities.

b. Icelandic Government employee

For purposes of applying this provision of the agreement, the phrase "Icelandic Government employee" means employees of Iceland.

C. Reference

U.S. citizens employed by foreign governments, RS 01802.050.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302002530
RS 02002.530 - Rule for Government Employees - U.S.-Icelandic Agreement - 04/23/2019
Batch run: 08/30/2019
Rev:04/23/2019