Ólafur Ragnar led Icelandic presidents in 2025 income

Former President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson had higher income last year than the sitting president, Halla Tómasdóttir, according to calculations by income magazine Frjáls verslun, reported by mbl.is. The figures cover 5,570 Icelanders.

Ólafur Ragnar had average monthly income of 4,872,000 Icelandic krónur, more than any serving government minister or member of parliament.

Halla Tómasdóttir had average monthly income of 3,817,000 krónur. Her partner, Björn Skúlason, had no income subject to local tax last year, according to the magazine’s calculations.

Former president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir ranked third, with monthly income of 3,316,000 krónur. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, who most recently held the presidency, had income of 2,087,000 krónur.

The figures cover income subject to local tax in 2025 and do not necessarily reflect fixed salaries. Differences may result from payments for serving on committees, other secondary work and benefits linked to stock option agreements. The calculations are based on the local-tax assessment base.

Capital income, including interest, dividends and proceeds from share sales, is not included. The figures may also include one-off payments from withdrawals of private pension savings.