Faroe Islands cracks down on foreign tour guides working illegally

The Faroe Islands Tourist Board has warned for years about foreign guides operating without work permits, and the problem is worsening, according to the board’s chair, Hilda Thomsen.

Two foreign tour guides were detained Monday for working illegally in the Faroes, public broadcaster KVF reports. One, a French woman, was released after prosecutors dropped charges, citing insufficient evidence. The other, a Scottish man, was deported and banned from re-entering the Faroes for two years after admitting to violating immigration laws. He faces a 300,000 krona fine unless he contests the penalty in court.

Thomsen told KVF the issue has persisted for years, with foreign guides—some without proper work authorization—continuing to operate despite repeated warnings from the tourist board.