General and specific difficulties of migrants from Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine in Iceland

Abstract

Until recently, Iceland was a relatively homogeneous society with limited experience of large-scale immigration. However, in the past two decades, the country has undergone significant changes, facing new challenges related to the integration of migrants from diverse backgrounds. Among these groups are migrants from Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, who share a post-Soviet historical background but differ significantly in their migration motivations, legal statuses, and adaptation experiences.The primary aim of this research is to explore how migrants from these three countries perceive and navigate their adaptation to life in Iceland. Special attention is paid to Ukrainian migrants who arrived after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 under temporary protection frameworks. Eight qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with migrants residing in Iceland between 1998 and 2025.The research employs a grounded theory methodology, supported by theoretical frameworks of transnationalism, intersectionality, and critiques of normative integration policies. Concepts of race, belonging, and symbolic exclusion in the Nordic context also inform the analysis.The findings reveal that while language barriers, precarious employment, and housing shortages challenge all groups, Ukrainian migrants—especially older individuals—experience migration as a traumatic rupture, marked by legal uncertainty and emotional instability. By contrast, Latvian and Lithuanian migrants, as EU citizens, perceive migration primarily as an economic opportunity, though they still encounter structural barriers. The study highlights the importance of emotional resilience, informal social networks, and the role of everyday practices in migrants' adaptation processes. It also shows that successful integration in Iceland requires not only mastering the language or gaining employment but also acknowledging migrants’ emotional worlds and diverse life trajectories.