Welcome to the Faroes. Hopefully, you will
feel at home and be able to create a good life
for yourself in this country.
As a resident in the Faroes you have
certain rights and responsibilities, and this
pamphlet offers you a snapshot of these.
Feel free to ask if you need more information or support.
Enjoy Our Welfare Services!
The Faroes are a welfare community. our
schools are free, and education is compulsory
for at least 9 years, normally beginning at
the age of 7. school registration takes place
at your local school.Evening schools around
the islands teach Faroese for foreigners.
The first 20 hours are free of charge. For
more information, please contact your local
municipality or Kvøldskúlin in tórshavn,
tel: 302472.
If you have a Faroese id-number, you
have free access to hospital services, a family
doctor and prescribed medicine. if you need
to consult a doctor after working hours, you
should dial: 1870.
Finding a job in the Faroes is your own
responsibility. But the website www.starv.fo
offers information about available jobs.
if you need assistance, please contact the
Unemployment Fund, Als, tel: 349550.
All municipalities in the Faroes offer
some kind of childcare. most municipalities
have public nurseries, kindergartens and
private childcare. you can register your child
for this at your local municipality.
Feel free to use the welfare services.
Share Your Culture, Religion
and Opinion!
People in the Faroes have individual freedom,
religious freedom and freedom of
expression and association.
The Danish constitution, which also
applies in the Faroes, states that personal
liberty is inviolable. You cannot be subjected
to any form of imprisonment for your
political or religious convictions or your descent.
The lutheran-Evangelical church is the
official church, but there are various other
churches in the Faroes. According to the
constitution, everyone is entitled to associate
in communities to worship according to
his or her convictions.
Feel free to practice your religion, feel
free to voice your opinion and attend any
cultural and political activities.
Do Not Accept Violence!
Everyone has a right to a life without violence,
and in the Faroes domestic violence is illegal.
Violence against children or adults
is illegal. Domestic violence is a pattern of
many behaviours such as physical violence,
emotional abuse, isolation, economic abuse,
intimidation, and coercion and threats.
These behaviours are often directed at
achieving and maintaining control over
another person.
Experiencing domestic violence can
lead to emotional traumas such as depression,
panic attacks and substance abuse.
in addition, children exposed to domestic
violence are at risk of having developmental
problems, aggressive behaviour, and low
self-esteem.
Domestic violence is never acceptable. it
is illegal. According to the penal code,
physical violence is punishable by up to three
years’ imprisonment, and a person who
threatens violence can be sentenced up to
two years’ imprisonment.
The Faroese law is in accordance with the
international Declaration of Human rights,
which states: no one shall be subjected to
torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.
The Faroes are a community founded on
the rule of law. The police, hospital staff and
social services are not corrupt and cannot
be bribed. And asking for help will not in
any way threaten your right to stay in the
Faroes.
if you are subject to domestic violence or
need advice on how to avoid being violent,
feel free to call the authorities or one of the
hotlines listed in this pamphlet.
Feel free to reject domestic violence.
Hotlines
For more information, advice or help, feel
free to call any of these hotlines:
ÚtlEnDinGAstoVAn – The immigration office -
consults in matters regarding residence
and permission to work in
the Faroes. tel. 357979 (weekdays 9-15),
www.utlendingastovan.fo
rÆttArHJálP FØroyA – legal Aid –
offers legal aid by professional lawyers free of
charge. tel. 319823 (tuesday 18-20, Thursday
16-18) www.raettarhjalpin.fo
sJálVHJálPin – The self Help centre in
tórshavn - offers professional advice free
of charge. tel. 280005 (weekdays 12-16),
www.sjalvhjalpin.fo
KVinnUHÚsið - The Women´s shelter in
tórshavn - helps women who are subjected
to domestic violence. tel.: 317200,
www.kvinnuhusid.fo
FrÓðsKAPArsEtrið – The University of
the Faroe islands – can guide you on how to
get your education recognised in the Faroese
system. tel. 352500, www.setur.fo
AlmAnnAVErKið - The Welfare office –
tel. 360000, www.av.fo
rÍKisUmBoðið – The High commissioner
– tel. 339233
PolitistØðin – The Police – tel. 351448,
www.politi.fo
nEyðArKAll – Emergency – tel: 112
You don’t need to be able to speak Faroese in
order to contact these services. So feel free to
ask for advice or call for help.
